Archaeology of Medieval Britain
2 total works
The author considers the period from the introduction of the castle by the Normans to the accession of the Tudors and adopts a broadly thematic approach. The book provides a synthesis of what has been learnt about the development, form and function of British castles through excavations since 1945. Part 1 looks at the defensive functions of the castle while Part 2 examines the purely domestic building and their role within the castle. Part 3 considers town defences on which much light has been shed by the expansion of urben archaeology in the 1970s.
Medieval Fortifications is the most complete archaeological account ever published of the development, form and function of fortification in Britain between the Norman conquest and the accession of the Tudors. In the last forty years huge improvements have been made in the techniques of excavation and interpretation of medieval buildings. As a result the author has been able to reconstruct in great detail the history of the castle, the fortified house and the defended town during the period when they were of greatest military, political, social and economic importance.