Medieval Fortifications

by John R. Kenyon

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.

256 pages, Paperback

First published May 17, 1990

Reviews

[Patrick]

This book contains many interesting details about the construction of Medieval castles, their precursors (motte and bailey fortresses) and defended/walled towns. Unfortunately, you have to sift through a lot verbiage to find these gems of knowledge. The author constantly refers to the names of castles and fortifications in Great Britain as if the reader is already intimately familiar with them. He expands on certain aspects of their construction, use, unique qualities etc. but, as a non-native and as someone with just an amateur interest, I found the abundant "name dropping" without context very jarring and it slowed down my reading considerably.