Castle: A History of the Buildings that Shaped Medieval Britain [Paperback]

Marc Morris (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 2004

As Marc Morris shows, there is more to castles than drawbridges and battlements, portcullises and arrow-loops. Be it ever so grand or ever so humble, a castle is first and foremost a home. It may look tough and defensible on the outside, but on the inside, a castle is all about luxury and creature comforts. To understand castles—who built them, who lived in them, and why—is to understand the forces that shaped medieval Britain.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Beginning in the 11th century, when castles were first introduced to Britain, and ending in the 17th century, when they were largely abandoned, Castle charts an epic history, driven by figures like William the Conqueror, who, by building and besieging castles, shaped the fate of the nation. At the same time, it is a homely story of lesser–known individuals and how their lives were consumed by the castles they built. As historian Marc Morris shows us, there is more to castles than drawbridges and battlements. Grand or humble, a castle is first and foremost a home. It may look inhospitable from the outside, but the interior is all about luxury and comfort: grand halls, massive kitchens, and lavish private chambers—all of which made these buildings ideal homes for their owners. To understand castles—who built them, who lived in them, and why—is to understand the forces that shaped medieval Britain.

About the Author

Marc Morris is a medieval historian and TV presenter, and is being groomed as a new leading light in the Channel 4 firmament.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Macmillan UK (April 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 033043246X
• ISBN-13: 978-0330432467
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.7 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,703,031 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Gripping Book, August 14, 2004

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SMG (UK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Castle: A History of the Buildings that Sahped Medieval Britain (Hardcover)

An interesting and very readable book. Marc Morris explains the evolution of the castle and how it has worked (or not) at different times in history. He really has brought the subject to life. He tells us about the people who built castles and examines what they wanted from their own particular version of it. This book was as gripping as any thriller!