Castles and Mansions (Houses & homes)

by Alan James (Author)

• Used

  Hardcover
  1988

  $7.39

  This book is part of the Houses and homes series which considers dwellings throughout the world, the stages in building a home and how structures and materials used are influenced by climate and location. It considers the history of castles as fortified homes, beginning by looking at early forts and the reasons for their construction. The author describes what life was like for the nobility, soldiers and servants within the safety of the castle walls. He also looks at how castles were defended against attack, the elaborate barrage of weapons employed to beseige a castle and the way in which the structure changed over the centuries in response to the different methods of warfare. In later years the manor house, the palace and the mansion took over from the castle. The author describes the interiors of these richly furnished homes. The text is complemented by colour photographs and illustrations. In addition, there is a glossary, a further reading list and an index.