Castles: their construction and history

sidney Toy

Courier Dover Publications, 1939 - Architecture - 241 pages

The art of fortification had reached a high state of development even at the dawn of history. Powerful military works, dating from the remotest periods, have been found in Anatolia, Greece, Mesopotamia and Egypt. The medieval castle, with its aura of legend and romance, represents perhaps the most familiar form of a long-crucial art. This volume traces the history of the castle from its ancient roots through Roman times and the Middle Ages, to the fanciful chateaux of the sixteenth century. Profusely illustrated, it explores innovations in castle design, siege operations, artillery and other weapons, living conditions within the castle, and clearly explains features of construction. In addition, noted historian and fortification expert Sidney Toy takes the reader on a detailed guided tour of over 120 of the most famous castles and fortresses of Europe and the Middle East.--From publisher description.

What people are saying

Review: Castles: Their Construction and History

User Review  - Philip Athans - Goodreads

Research for historical novel set in the Crusades continues. . . . A solid overview, but lacking in detail. A good starting point.

Review: Castles: Their Construction and History

User Review  - Pamela(AllHoney) - Goodreads

It was informative and interesting. The illustrations were helpful. The book covers the history and fortification of castles from ancient times on through to the 16th century. It would have been better if there had been a glossary to define some of the terms.

Contents

• The Ancient Fortresses of Babylon Mesopotamia Assyria Asia Minor and Greece i: 1
• Fortifications of Greece and Rome 3oo B C to 2oo B C: 16
• Fortifications of the Levant Rome and Western Europe 2oo B C to 30 B C: 21
• Fortifications of the Roman Empire: 29
• Byzantine Fortifications from the Fifth to the Tenth Century: 41
• Fortifications of Western Europe from the Fifth to the Eleventh Century: 50
• Rectangular Keeps or Donjons: 66
• Byzantine and Saracen Fortifications of the Twelfth Century: 83
• Transitional Keeps of the Twelfth Century: 90
• Fortifications and Buildings of the Bailey in the Eleventh and Twelfth Centuries: 100
• Casdes from about 1190 to 1270: 116
• Siege Engines and Siege Operations of the Middle Ages: 141
• Edwardian and Contemporary Castles: 153
• Towns Fortified Bridges and Towers: 170
• Gatehouses and Defences of the Curtain during the Thir teenth and Fourteenth Centuries: 189
• Development of the TowerHouse: 210
• SixteenthCentury Forts: 230
• Index: 237

Bibliographic information

• Title: Castles: their construction and history; Dover books on architecture
• Author: sidney Toy
• Edition: illustrated, unabridged, reprint
• Publisher: Courier Dover Publications, 1939
• ISBN: 0486248984, 9780486248981
• Length: 241 pages
• Subjects: Architecture / General; Technology & Engineering / Military Science