The Archaeology of Medieval Europe: Castles and Landscapes

Synopsis

Castles were among the most dominant features of the medieval landscape, and many remain impressive structures to the present day. This work looks at castles in a new light, using the theories and methods of landscape studies. Castles are examined not as an isolated phenomenon, but in relation to their surrounding human as well as physical areas. Taking a thematic approach, the study examines a broad range of evidence, archaeological, documentary and topographical, to assess the contribution of these structures on the evolution of the medieval landscape. The imprint of castles on the human landscape was powerful and often long-lived. As imposing icons of status and lordship, castles re-shaped the landscape in the minds of contemporaries, while as estate centres and manors they were closely connected with their surrounding hinterlands. The settlement landscape was also deeply affected by castle building as their powerful aristocratic owners fostered new towns and villages, while other communities were disrupted by their construction. The types of sites chosen for castles are also examined, as are the features that often accompanied them, including churches, mills, monasteries, deer parks, fishponds and gardens. Throughout, this book challenges many of our perceptions about medieval castles and presents some new avenues for future research. Alternative ISBNs 9781904768678

Copyright:

2002

Book Details

Book Quality:

Publisher Quality

ISBN-13:

9780826458964

Related ISBNs:

9780826458964

Publisher:

Bloomsbury Publishing / Continuum

Date of Addition:

04/28/16

Copyrighted By:

O. H. Creighton

Adult content:

No

Language:

English

Has Image Descriptions:

No

Categories:

History, Nonfiction, Earth Sciences

Grade Levels:

Graduate Student, Adult Ed, Undergraduate Student, Post-Graduate Student

Submitted By:

Amy Dillwyn

Usage Restrictions:

This is a copyrighted book.