| Synopsis: |
This is a comprehensive introduction to the castles of Wales, covering their contemporary historical significance, their symbolism in art and poetry; the political and military context; their many uses during their heyday, including cultural, military and linguistic; building methods of stone castles, mottes and ringworks; castle builders; castles of the Welsh princes, siege warfare, castle afterlife, including their part in 18th century landscape painting; identification, and a brief bibliography. The main guide comprises nearly 80 entries on medieval castles, including notes on access, grid references, history and building details. Two appendices comprise a list of over 400 medieval castles, and a shorter list of possible, post-medieval and lost castles of Wales. Aimed at the tourist interested in history, the guide focuses on historical events rather than architecture. It includes over 100 black and white photos. |