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The awful gloom of a Norman dungeon, the majestic power of a great keep, the sweep of battlements — castles have the power to fascinate and to exercise our imagination of history in a way few buildings can. Europe is rich in the ruins of castles, from small towerhouses to massive structures the size of a small city, but across the world are further wonderful examples of man’s ingenuity to build fortifications for protection or conquest. Castles and Fortifications From Around the World takes the reader on a global trip through history and examines why and how castles were built in different regions, how they were used, and, in many cases, how they were destroyed in warfare.

It demonstrates how regional diversity is found in the use of styles of defence and decoration. Each country featured is divided into sections, each of which deals with a type of castle. Maps locate the featured castles for both the armchair historian and the active traveller; colour photography, plans and reconstructions illustrate their diversity.

Castles and Fortifications from Around the World serves as a colourful and informative launchpad for further exploration of the enthralling world of castles. Through the use of evocative photographs, reconstructions, floor plans and locating maps, this encyclopedic guide brings the past to life and is a must for every ruin-hunter.

About the author

Chris Gravett is a former Chief Curator at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and a recognised authority on the arms, armour and warfare of the medieval world. He has worked as an advisor for numerous TV and film productions, and has written and co-authored more than 30 books over the past 11 years that cover a variety of topics from this period. He currently works as a curator at Woburn Abbey, Bedfordshire.

Table of Contents

Title

Castles and Fortifications From Around the World

Author

Christopher Gravett

ISBN

9781902886084

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