Castles and Strongholds of Northumberland: A History and Gazetteer
By Brian Long
The History Press
ISBN: 978 0 7509 9409 5
Planning to visit the northeast corner of England and explore its many castles? This guide is your companion, now expanded to include over 500 entries.
Excerpt:
Northumberland has more castles, fortalices, towers, peles, bastles and barmkins than any other county in the British Isles. Castles of all periods were the private residences and fortresses of kings and noblemen. The fact that they were private residences was the principal difference between them and their predecessors, the Anglo-Saxon burghs, which were fortified towns, etc., such as were at Heddon, Yeavering and Bamburgh. Their private nature is again the distinguishing factor between them and forts erected at a later date by kings and governments for national defence. The towers, peles, bastles and barmkins were also private residences fortified by small, not so powerful lords, or by rich farmers and landowners as a means of defending themselves from raiding parties and securing their cattle in times of such raids.
Who is this book for?
The first edition of this guide appeared in 1967, and this latest revision greatly expands its scope. It surveys the castles and other fortified historic buildings of Northumberland—England’s northernmost county—with entries ranging from a couple of sentences to several pages.
For anyone interested in Northumberland’s local history, it is an invaluable companion. It will also appeal to readers studying medieval castles, whether for research, teaching, or field visits.
The Author
Brian Long is a local historian living in Herefordshire. This Facebook post details some of his work.
Castles and Strongholds of Northumberland: A History and Gazetteer
By Brian Long
The History Press
ISBN: 978 0 7509 9409 5
Planning to visit the northeast corner of England and explore its many castles? This guide is your companion, now expanded to include over 500 entries.
Excerpt:
Northumberland has more castles, fortalices, towers, peles, bastles and barmkins than any other county in the British Isles. Castles of all periods were the private residences and fortresses of kings and noblemen. The fact that they were private residences was the principal difference between them and their predecessors, the Anglo-Saxon burghs, which were fortified towns, etc., such as were at Heddon, Yeavering and Bamburgh. Their private nature is again the distinguishing factor between them and forts erected at a later date by kings and governments for national defence. The towers, peles, bastles and barmkins were also private residences fortified by small, not so powerful lords, or by rich farmers and landowners as a means of defending themselves from raiding parties and securing their cattle in times of such raids.
Who is this book for?
The first edition of this guide appeared in 1967, and this latest revision greatly expands its scope. It surveys the castles and other fortified historic buildings of Northumberland—England’s northernmost county—with entries ranging from a couple of sentences to several pages.
For anyone interested in Northumberland’s local history, it is an invaluable companion. It will also appeal to readers studying medieval castles, whether for research, teaching, or field visits.
The Author
Brian Long is a local historian living in Herefordshire. This Facebook post details some of his work.
You can learn more about this book from the publisher’s website.
You can buy this book on Amazon.com | Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk
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