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Castles of Europe

By Wim Swaan

Castles of Europe Books

Castles of Europe

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Description
The names of Europe’s medieval castles—names like Bodiam, Caernarvon, Tarascon, Schönburg, Eltz, Chillon, Karlštejn, Castel del Monte, Volterra, Coca—move the imagination as little else can. Castles are probably the most romantic places left on earth, but for the student of history there can be few elements so important to the military, political, social and artistic history of Western Europe.This book is an informative and compelling study of the castle in Western Europe, from the eight century to the end of the fifteenth—from Charlemagne to the French invasion of Italy in 1494. The author provides us with the background—the classical fortifications of the Romans and the defensive sites built during the invasions of the Dark Ages. The first castles were built to defend life itself, and out of the troubles of the ninth century, grew feudalism and with the castle. The conquests of the Normans in England and Sicily further extended the influence of the castle politically and in warfare. The influence of the Crusades on the social life of the castle was far-reaching and castle building in the Europe of the Angevins and Hohenstaufens was greatly stimulated. The thirteenth century, a period of constitutional struggle, produced fortified towns in Italy and France and three great castle builders, Frederick II, St Louis and Edward I. The time of the Hundred Years’ War, despite the introduction of gunpowder, was a period of intense castle building, and not only in France and England. But this new and devastating method of waging war was one of the causes that led to the end of the castle as a fortress of the lord and a protector of the surrounding countryside.To appreciate how deeply the castle was involved in the economic and social life of the Middle Ages, one has only to realize the enormous number that were according to one estimate there were 10,000 in Germany alone; in Spain 2,500 exist today; and in Italy the province of Verona contains over 100 fortresses. Many castles were simply the holds of robber barons; some were the means of terrorizing a conquered population; some never had to withstand a single siege; some were the center of government for the district, and some were the courts where the troubadours and minnesingers found fame.Castles of Europe is the first book to consider on a comprehensive scale all the historical viewpoints concerned and, in particular, the castle in relation to the political history and technological development of the Middle Ages. As a contribution to the historical literature on Medieval Europe, it will give immense pleasure to readers from whatever angle of interest they approach the subject, and the author draws on a large number of contemporary sources and chronicles to give point and color to his narrative.In an astonishing series of photographs, taken over many months in eleven countries, Wim Swaan has captured the essential atmosphere of Europe’s castles and the distinctive quality of each particular one. His work has been supplemented by the collection of an important set of engravings, paintings and drawing of the other castles which show them at various points in their history. Great variety in the illustrations is provided by the reproductions of manuscript paintings, sculpture, drawings and some rare examples of medieval arms and armor.
Product details
Number of Pages:
304
Release Date:
1985-01-07
Publication Date:
1985-01-07
Publisher:
Omega Books
Languages:
Published: English, Original: English
ISBN10:
0907853048
Weight:
1860 g
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