Why are Castles Castle-Shaped?: 100 1/2 Questions about Castles Answered

Philip Ardagh has a passion for history. During his numerous children's events over the years, he has been asked just about every conceivable question about castles and life in medieval times. Here he answers his favourite (printable) ones, in a similar style that made his bookDid Dinosaurs Snore? a monster hit with pre-history fans.Everything from alchemy to the Crusades are covered in this entertaining and informative book, from 'Who built castles?','Where did everyone sleep?' and 'What's a lady's favour?' to the more obscure 'Did they have baths?' and 'Did they have toilet paper?'. There are black and white illustrations throughout as well as fascinating fact boxes and quick quizzes to test what you have learned. The reference section includes timelines, and a glossary and index. If the answer doesn't lie somewhere between these covers, then it probably isn't a castle question worth asking.

Philip Ardagh, whose very first Grubtown Tale won him the Roald Dahl Funny Prize, is author of over 100 books including the award-winning Eddie Dickens adventures, currently in over 30 languages. He wrote BBC radio's first truly interactive radio drama, collaborated with Sir Paul McCartney on his first children's book and is a 'regularly irregular' reviewer of children's books for the Guardian. Married with a son, he divides his time between Tunbridge Wells and Grubtown, where he cultivates his impressive beard.