Sign-In
Cart
The Companion to Castles
Paperback
General ArchitectureGeneral Military HistoryBritish History
Publisher Price: $42.99
ISBN13: 9781837052103
Publisher: History Press
Published: Sep 15 2026
Pages: 510
Language: English
'A fascinating book that covers the history and development of something that is unique to the Middle Ages - the castle.' - Medieval History
Over 1,000 castles were built in the century following the Norman Conquest. Most were constructed in the wake of the Conquest itself by the Norman lords and their allies as they took possession of their lands. These conquerors in a hostile land numbered only a few thousand and their castles became both symbols of subjugation and bastions of paranoia.
Nevertheless, contrary to the popular perception, medieval castles were more often lived in than fought over. A castle was a fortified feudal residence, a symbol of a lord's power and authority and the instrument of regional domination: administrative, judicial and military.
Very few castles remain unaltered from when they were first built and none fits neatly into any particular category. Many have succumbed to the ravages of siege warfare, abandonment and despoliation, especially in the aftermath of the English Civil War. Some have been entirely rebuilt and most have been remodelled many times, according to the current military, domestic and architectural fashion. For several there is evidence of continuous occupation from the twelfth century to the present day.
Stephen Friar has an encyclopaedic knowledge of all aspects of castles as well as the ability to place issues within a historical context and explain them succinctly and clearly for the non-specialist. From quadrangular castles to shell keeps, garderobes and gargoyles to tournaments, and anarchy to zig-zag moulding, this detailed A-Z reference book, with its lavish illustrations, is essential reading for anyone interested in medieval castles.
'A fascinating book ... as well as providing a history of British castles, the book also offers advice on how to get the most enjoyment and fulfilment out of your visits.' - The Journal
Also from
Friar, Stephen
Also in
General Architecture
Architectural Classics Notecards: 20 Prints and Envelopes (20 Different Cards on Luxe Paper, 9 X 6, Gold Foil Stamped Box, Great for All Occasions) [W
Princeton Architectural Press
Other
The Universe of Design: Horst Rittel's Theories of Design and Planning
Protzen, Jean-Pierre
Harris, David
Paperback
Great Houses of Summit Avenue and the Hill District
Larson, Paul Clifford
Hammel, Bette
Melvin, Karen
Hardcover
Post Domesticity: Re-Thinking Urban Obsolescence
Espinosa, Enrique
Garcia-Setien, Diego
de Abajo, Begona
Paperback
Rural Utopia and Water Urbanism: The Modern Village in Franco's Spain
LeJeune, Jean-François
Paperback
Progressive Design in the Midwest: The Purcell-Cutts House and the Prairie School Collection at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts
Olivarez, Jennifer Komar
Paperback
The End of Automobile Dependence: How Cities Are Moving Beyond Car-Based Planning
Newman, Peter
Kenworthy, Jeffrey
Paperback
Paint by Sticker (Official): Architecture: Re-Create 12 Historic Structures One Sticker at a Time!
Workman Publishing
Paperback
Our World in Ten Buildings: How Architecture Defines Who We Are and How We Live
Murphy, Michael
Hardcover
Generation Regeneration: Codesigning the Future of Cities Through Regenerative Placemaking
Cho, Tony
Hardcover
The Big Book of Tiny Painting: An Artist's Guide to Tiny Painting Outside in Ink and Watercolour
Stroz, Leslie
Paperback
A Field Guide to American Houses (Revised): The Definitive Guide to Identifying and Understanding America's Domestic Architecture
McAlester, Virginia Savage
Paperback
100 Iconic Buildings to See Before You Die: Explore the World's Most Amazing Architecture
Dk Travel
Hardcover
Walkable City: How Downtown Can Save America, One Step at a Time (Tenth Anniversary Edition)
Speck, Jeff
Paperback
Drawing Lessons with Da Vinci: An Artist's Guide to Geometry, Anatomy and Proportion
Roig, Gabriel Martín
Paperback
In a Good Place: How the Spaces Where We Live, Work, and Play Can Help Us Thrive
Klotz, Leidy
Hardcover
Rendering in Pen and Ink: The Classic Book on Pen and Ink Techniques for Artists, Illustrators, Architects, and Designers
Guptill, Arthur L.
Paperback
A Natural History of Empty Lots: Field Notes from Urban Edgelands, Back Alleys, and Other Wild Places
Brown, Christopher
Paperback
Engineering in Plain Sight: An Illustrated Field Guide to the Constructed Environment
Hillhouse, Grady
Hardcover
Los Angeles Central Library Pops: Celebrating a Century of the Light of Learning
Rice, Christina
Hardcover
The Spaces That Make Us: Why Design Is Broken and How We Can Create a Happier, Healthier World
Kurani, Danish
Hardcover
Pretty Good House: A Guide to Creating Better Homes
Kolbert, Daniel
Mottram, Emily
Maines, Michael
Hardcover
Massimo Listri. the World's Most Beautiful Libraries. 45th Ed.
Sladek, Elisabeth
Ruppelt, Georg
Hardcover
The Last Castle: The Epic Story of Love, Loss, and American Royalty in the Nation's Largest Home
Kiernan, Denise
Paperback
Barkitecture: Explore the World of Innovative and Sustainable Pet Architecture
Thomasson, Joshua
Hardcover
Palaces for the People: How Social Infrastructure Can Help Fight Inequality, Polarization, and the Decline of Civic Life
Klinenberg, Eric
Paperback
Mini-Forest Revolution: Using the Miyawaki Method to Rapidly Rewild the World
Lewis, Hannah
Paperback
Casa Kahlo: Frida Kahlo's Family Home and Sanctuary
Romeo, Frida Hentschel
Romeo Kahlo, Mara
Romeo, Mara de Anda
Hardcover
Men at Work: The Empire State Building and the Untold Story of the Craftsmen Who Built It
Kurtz, Glenn
Hardcover
London, Block by Block: An Illustrated Guide to the Best of England's Capital
Block, Cierra
Hardcover
New York's Secret Subway: The Underground Genius of Alfred Beach and the Origins of Mass Transit
Algeo, Matthew
Hardcover
The Hotel on Place Vendome: Life, Death, and Betrayal at the Hotel Ritz in Paris
Mazzeo, Tilar J.
Paperback
Live Your Dreams Coloring Book: 20 Live Your Dreams Mandala Coloring Pages
Crystal Coloring Books
Paperback
California Coastal: Seaside Living from Sea Ranch to San Diego
Ewald, Chase Reynolds
Hebert, Heather Sandy
Hardcover
If You Want to Win, You've Got to Fight: A Guide to Effective Transportation Advocacy
Lavin, Carter
Paperback
101 Things I Didn't Learn In Architecture School: And wish I had known before my first job
Lebner, Sarah
Paperback
The Genius in the Design: Bernini, Borromini, and the Rivalry That Transformed Rome
Morrissey, Jake
Paperback
Life Inside a Cottage: Interior Inspiration from Today's Cottage Dwellers
Card, Nell
Vere, Rachel
Hardcover
Get Your House Right: Architectural Elements to Use & Avoid
Pentreath, Ben
Sammons, Richard
Cusato, Marianne
Paperback
Measure and Construction of the Japanese House: 250 Plans and Sketches Plus Illustrations of Joinery
Engel, Heino
Hardcover
Lost Raleigh: Exploring the Oak City's Architectural History
Hanbury, Mary Ruffin
Dunn, Ian F. G.
Paperback
The Design of Childhood: How the Material World Shapes Independent Kids--Featuring the Author's Pulitzer Prize-Winning Essays
Lange, Alexandra
Paperback
Code Check Building 5th Edition: An Illustrated Guide to the Building Codes
Hansen, Douglas
Paperback
Watercolor Artist's Index of the Urban Landscape: A Field Trip of Features and How to Paint Them
Taylor, Richard
Paperback
Code Check Plumbing & Mechanical 6th Edition: An Illustrated Guide to the Plumbing & Mechanical Codes
Hansen, Douglas
Paperback
Housesketching: Learn to Create Energetic and Expressive Architectural Drawings
Kiefer, Albert
Paperback
Trauma-informed Design: A Framework for Designers, Architects, and Other Practitioners
Cowart, Christine A.
Roche, Janet E.
Erdman, Adrienne
Paperback
A House Needs to Breathe...Or Does It?: An Introduction to Building Science
Bailes, Allison A., III
Paperback
Find the Lost Dollars: 6 Steps to Increase Profits in Architecture, Engineering and Environmental Firms - Abridged Version
Jewell, June R.
Paperback
Code Check Complete 3rd Edition: An Illustrated Guide to the Building, Plumbing, Mechanical, and Electrical Codes
Hansen, Douglas
Hardcover
Human Transit (Revised Edition): How Clearer Thinking about Public Transit Can Enrich Our Communities and Our Lives
Walker, Jarrett
Paperback
Biltmore House: The Interiors and Collections of George W. Vanderbilt
Poupore, Darren
C. Jenkins, Laura
Hardcover