Picture reference book of castles and fortifications; (Picture reference, 22) - Softcover

Taylor, Boswell

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0340166746 ISBN 13: 9780340166741

Publisher: Brockhampton Press, 1973

Synopsis

TODAY, castles are tourist attractions. Originally they were built as massive machines designed for ruling and for fighting. The ancient civilizations of the Egyptians, Hittites, Assyrians and Romans were skilled in the art of building fortifications. The Great Wall of China was begun before 200 BC, but, in Europe, castles are mainly identified with the Middle Ages. In these war-troubled years the castle flourished with the age of chivalry, of knight and archer, and died with the onslaught of artillery. Against lance and arrow, the castle was a refuge. Cannon turned it into a trap. At their peak, castles were military bases for offensive warfare. Crusaders built them as stepping stones of faith to the Holy Land. Castles were also the homes and edifices of feudal power, from which lords and kings dominated the surrounding land. Now, they belong to legend and folklore. They have their place in our heritage; in our stories of armoured knights rescuing maids in distress, in tales of courage and mighty deeds and, also, in records of medieval savagery and cruel warfare.

Edition details

• Publisher: Brockhampton Press
• Publication date: 1973
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0340166746
• ISBN 13: 9780340166741
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 34