Castles in the Middle Ages Archives - Page 9 of 13

by Sandra Alvarez June 15, 2012

Books

Medieval reads for Dad!

Father’s Day is just around the corner – here are some fun medieval reads to make his day special!

by Medievalists.net June 4, 2012

Articles

Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250

The research addresses the presence of the castles and discusses their roles as weapons of conquest and structures of administrative control.

by Sandra Alvarez May 31, 2012

Articles

How Many Tower-houses were there in the Scottish Borders?

At a recent conference on castles, the old ques- tion of how many tower-houses there were in the Scottish Borders cropped up once again during a general discussion. As far as I know it is a subject that has never been seriously researched in its entirety…

by Sandra Alvarez May 30, 2012

Articles

Arrow-loops in the Great Tower of Kenilworth castle: Symbolism vs Active/Passive ‘Defence’

In 1931, Sidney Toy measured and drew arrow-loops in the top gallery of the Great Tower at Kenilworth and his drawings are reproduced here (Figs. 1 – 6), by permission of the Society of Antiquaries of London

by Medievalists.net May 18, 2012

Articles

The Science of Fortification in Malta in the Context of European Architectural Treatises and Military Academies

In order to understand why the fortifications of Malta evolved as they did, we need to study them in the context of the technical publications and military academies of the period.

by Sandra Alvarez May 4, 2012

Articles

The Motte and Bailey Castle: Instrument of Revolution

A motte was made partially or completely by human hands, surrounded by a ditch, and topped by a wooden tower.

by Medievalists.net April 18, 2012

Articles

Impact of crusader castles upon European western castles in the Middle Ages

What was the order in which certain types of castle defense came to be during the middle ages and how do we first see them in the archaeological record from the time?

by Medievalists.net March 26, 2012

News

Crac des Chevaliers in danger as Syrian forces shell town around medieval castle

Video emerged yesterday which appears to show that the town surrounding Crac des Chevaliers in Syria under artillery fire from Syrian forces.

by Medievalists.net March 22, 2012

TV Shows

Battle Castle: Malbork

The fifth episode of Battle Castle features the castle of Malbork, in Poland, and the siege by the forces of Poland and Lithuania, led by King Władysław II Jagiełło, against the Teutonic Knights, who were led by Heinrich von Plauen, in 1410.

by Medievalists.net March 20, 2012

Features

Castle for Sale: Grantstown Castle, Ireland

‎’Grantstown Castle is one of the finest, most spectacular renovations of this kind that she has ever encountered in the sale of Irish Castles. The precision of work, attention to historical detail, and overall elegance in presentation is a delight to behold. Prepare to be enchanted.’

by Medievalists.net March 12, 2012

Articles

Caring for the castles and abbeys of the Welsh princes

Gwilym Hughes – Cadw’s assistant director, historic environment – outlines the achievements of the Welsh Cultural Heritage Initiative.

by Medievalists.net March 11, 2012

News

Slovakia’s Krasna Horka castle destroyed in fire

Children playing with matches has led to a fire gutting one of Slovakia’s most important medieval castles.

by Medievalists.net March 9, 2012

TV Shows

Holy Dover!: Castles, Crossbows and the Poor Man’s Trebuchet on the third fantastic episode of Battle Castle

Dan Snow is back again for another awesome adventure in Dover. Relieve the medieval excitement of last night’s third episode of Battle Castle!

by Medievalists.net March 1, 2012

News TV Shows Websites

‘Battle Castle’ lays siege on-air and online

The show is an interactive, trans-medieval journey into castle engineering, bloody siegecraft, and epic clashes that transform mortals into legends. Hosted by UK celebrity Dan Snow, the show takes its viewers over six one-hour timeslots to Syria, France, Spain, Wales, Poland and England delving into the stories of six fascinating castles.

by Medievalists.net February 23, 2012

TV Shows

Battle Castle: Crac des Chevaliers

Trebuchets, earthquakes, Crusades and sweeping panoramas – you don’t want to miss a single minute of this fantastic ﬁrst episode of Battle Castle!

by Medievalists.net February 22, 2012

Articles

The Use of Fortification as a Political Instrument by the Ayyubids and the Mamluks in Bilad al-Sham and in Egypt (Twelfth-Thirteenth Centuries)

Beginning in 1170/1171, Salah al-Din built fortifications as the Fatimid vizier of Egypt. His considerations were primarily defensive in this period, following the Frankish campaign of 1168 that led to the siege of Cairo, and the Frankish-Byzantine naval expedition against Damietta in 1169.

by Medievalists.net February 21, 2012

Articles

A Flat Vault in the “Crac des Chevaliers” and Some Considerations on the Development of Vault Geometry and Stereotomy in Mediaeval Masonry Structures in Syria

The vault is located in the south-western cylindrical tower at the external defensive wall of the “Crac des Chevaliers” Castle in Syria, and was built in the late 13th Century. In this paper the geometry of the vault is analysed and a hypothesis developed on the design process; the technology of the vault will also be considered together with a discussion on the differences with European examples.

by Medievalists.net February 21, 2012

Interviews TV Shows

Battle Castle – Interview with Nicole Tomlinson

I was so fascinated by the stories of the lives of the people and artifacts associated with these strongholds that I didn’t realize I actually wasn’t learning much about the castles themselves. The more I delved into researching the series, the more I wanted to see the technologies that built them (and sometimes brought them down) jump out of my imagination and into action.

by Medievalists.net February 20, 2012

Interviews TV Shows

Battle Castle – Interview with Ian Herring

In 21 years of filmmaking, I have never worked on a project where professional and personal interests have come together such an authentic way.

by Medievalists.net February 20, 2012

News

Swansea Castle to be opened to visitors this weekend

Swansea Castle in Wales will be opened up for public tours this weekend, allowing people to explore the medieval Welsh ruin. It’s only the third time in decades that people will have the chance to explore the historic attraction.

by Medievalists.net January 31, 2012

News TV Shows

See Castles in 3D!

Medieval history fans get an online treat from the makers of Battle Castle – dozens of photos and videos of castles in 3D!

by Medievalists.net January 22, 2012

Articles

Mali Grad: High Medieval Castle in Kamnik

The town of Kamnik is very old. In page times the area was inhabited by three castles, yet it lacked a town; the area upon which the town stands today was covered by a large lake that stretched from Kamnik all the way to the surrounding hills.

by Medievalists.net January 14, 2012

Articles

Cultural realities and reappraisals in English castle-study

Castles have a colourful, violent and romantic image compounded of atavistic brutalism, militarism and Disney. They are the favourite of the self-taught discoverer and compiler, of the instinctual war-gamer and of the soldierly antiquarian.

by Medievalists.net December 22, 2011

News

Belgrade fortress under attack – from flowers

Serbian and French researchers have reported that the Belgrade Fortress, which was first built in the early Middle Ages is under threat – not only by the effects of coal burning, as was assumed until now, but also by flower beds!

by Medievalists.net December 10, 2011

News

Who made Carlisle Castle’s carvings?

The mysterious wall carvings of Carlisle Castle’s Keep have always been thought to be the work of prisoners that were held captive there during its turbulent past. Some recent research by English Heritage, however, suggests some very surprising results.