This is a comprehensive introduction to the castles of Wales, covering their contemporary historical significance, their symbolism in art and poetry; the political and military context; their many uses during their heyday, including cultural, military and linguistic; building methods of stone castles, mottes and ringworks; castle builders; castles of the Welsh princes, siege warfare, castle afterlife, including their part in 18th century landscape painting; identification, and a brief bibliography. The main guide comprises nearly 80 entries on medieval castles, including notes on access, grid references, history and building details. Two appendices comprise a list of over 400 medieval castles, and a shorter list of possible, post-medieval and lost castles of Wales. Aimed at the tourist interested in history, the guide focuses on historical events rather than architecture. It includes over 100 black and white photos.
Industry Reviews
Visiting ancient castles is one of the joys of leisure time and has been a passionate activity of many people over the centuries. So it is very useful to come across a book all about castles in Wales which fits into a pocket or a handbag. Written by a well-known historian with a penchant for helping others to share his enthusiasms, this is an authoritative account of about eighty castles in Wales including, in each case, a description of the buildings with photographs. The history of each castle, as far as it is known, is given in an interesting and flowing style and could be easily read as the visitor wanders around the castles. Accessibility to each castle is a very important feature of this book: some castles have limited accessibility or are restricted in their opening times. After a substantial introduction the castles are considered in alphabetical order according to the thirteen historic counties of Wales, beginning with Anglesey and ending with Radnorshire. Two useful appendices are provided, as well as an index of the castles described. This is an essential aide-memoire for visitors to castles in Wales. Beryl Thomas It is possible to use this review for promotional purposes, but the following acknowledgment should be included: A review from www.gwales.com, with the permission of the Welsh Books Council. Gellir defnyddio'r adolygiad hwn at bwrpas hybu, ond gofynnir i chi gynnwys y gydnabyddiaeth ganlynol: Adolygiad oddi ar www.gwales.com, trwy ganiatd Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru. -- Welsh Books Council