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Books > Arts & Architecture > Architecture > Residential buildings, domestic buildings > Castles
Discover all the foul facts about the history of fortresses with
history's most horrible headlines: Crackin' Castles edition. The
master of making history fun, Terry Deary, turns his attention to
50 foul castles across history. From which is the most haunted
castle in Britain and why an army disguised themselves as cows to
which castle defender used a frying pan as a shield. It's all in
Horrible Histories: Crackin' Castles: fully illustrated throughout
and packed with hair-raising stories - with all the horribly
hilarious bits included with a fresh take on the classic Horrible
Histories style, perfect for fans old and new the perfect series
for anyone looking for a fun and informative read Horrible
Histories has been entertaining children and families for
generations with books, TV, stage show, magazines, games and 2019's
brilliantly funny Horrible Histories: the Movie - Rotten Romans.
Get your history right here and collect the whole horrible lot.
Read all about it!
'Neil Oliver writes beautifully - letting us see ourselves in a new
light.' - Professor Alice Roberts 'Oliver is an evocative
storyteller, vividly bringing his tales to life' BBC History
Magazine
.........................................................................................................................................................................
For longer than recorded history there have been tales of spirits
and of places where our hackles rise and our skin turns cold.
Bestselling historian Neil Oliver travels the British Isles on a
deliciously spine-chilling tour that spans several centuries and
explores more than 20 sites - castles, vicarages and towers, lonely
shorelines and forgotten battlefields - to unpick their stories..
Oliver invokes his family's history alongside that of kings and
queens past as he probes why our emotions and senses are heightened
in certain locations where the separation between dimensions seems
gossamer thin. Our landscape is riven with these places, creaking
from the weight of the secrets they hold, the echoes of tragedy and
dark deeds . From Inverness to Devon, Co Dublin to Norfolk,
Hauntings casts an enjoyably eerie glow with stories that, told
generation after generation, are inextricable from place - and
considers why they matter.
LANCASTER CASTLE is one of Britain's major historic monuments. For
over 900 years it has dominated the hilltop looking out over the
river Lune and the city of Lancaster. Owned by Her Majesty the
Queen in her role as Duke of Lancaster, the castle has a unique
history, and who better to tell that history than Colin Penny and
Graham Kemp. Between them they have almost 40 years of experience
in managing the museum of the castle, researching its history and
telling its tales to tourists from around the world. This book
charts the growth and development of the castle from medieval times
to the present day, but also explores the use of the site during
the Roman period. Colin Penny and Graham Kemp give us an accurate
historical account at the same time as bringing Lancaster Castle to
life with their sometimes amusing and sometimes macabre anecdotes.
This is no dry historical text, but a riveting story written by two
people who have a passion for and intimate knowledge of this iconic
building.
Discover all the foul facts about the Measly Middle Ages with
history's most horrible headlines. All the foul facts about the
Measly Middle Ages are ready to uncover, including: why chickens
had their bottoms shaved a genuine jester's joke and what
ten-year-old treacle was used for * fully illustrated throughout
and packed with horrible stories - with all the horribly hilarious
bits included * with a fresh take on the classic Horrible Histories
style, perfect for fans old and new * the perfect series for anyone
looking for a fun and informative read * Horrible Histories has
been entertaining children and families for generations with books,
TV, stage show, magazines, games and 2019's brilliantly funny
Horrible Histories: the Movie - Rotten Romans. Get your history
right here and collect the whole horrible lot. Read all about it!
The essential companion to discover the styles, architecture, form,
significance and historical impact of castles from all over the
world. How to Read Castles is a travel-size primer that takes a
strictly visual approach to castle architecture, building up your
vocabulary of castle types, styles and materials, and showing you
how these aspects can be recognised across architectural features
from the floor-plan and moat, to the towers and crenulations.
Focusing on the 10th-16th century period, and crusading across the
globe from a Welsh motte-and-bailey to a Japanese hirajiro, this is
both an architectural reference and a visitor's guide showing you
how to read the stories embedded in every castle's stones. Castles
once dominated the landscape as seats of power and symbols of
wealth and status, providing a means of control over borders,
passes, routes and rivers. Armed with this book you will be able to
unpick their histories and see how they shaped the land around
them. From rugged coastline defences to soaring mountain
fortresses, this book takes you on an international journey of
discovery, exploring some of the most inspiring and impressive
architecture history has ever seen.
![Doune Castle (Paperback): Nicki Scott, Historic Scotland](//media.loot.co.za/images/x80/152747218049179215.jpg) |
Doune Castle
(Paperback)
Nicki Scott, Historic Scotland
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R161
R147
Discovery Miles 1 470
Save R14 (9%)
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Ships in 9 - 15 working days
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One of Scotland's finest late-medieval strongholds, Doune Castle
stands high on a promontory between the River Teith and the Ardoch
Burn in Perthshire. It is a testament to the power of one nobleman,
Robert Stewart, Duke of Albany. He was known as Scotland's
'uncrowned king', and the castle was one of his main residences in
the late 1300s. For a long time Albany has been credited with the
complete construction of the castle, making Doune a remarkable
example of a medieval fortress built as one man's vision. However,
fresh research is casting new light on Doune Castle, suggesting a
much more complex history dating back to the century before Albany
and beyond.
Westminster came into existence in the later Anglo-Saxon period,
and by the mid-11th century, when Edward the Confessor's great new
abbey was built, it was a major royal centre two miles south-west
of the City of London. Within a century or so, it had become the
principal seat of government in England, and this series of
twenty-eight papers covers new research on the topography,
buildings, art-history, architecture and archaeology of
Westminster's two great establishments - Abbey and Palace. Part I
begins with studies of the topography of the area, an account of
its Roman-period finds and an historiographical overview of the
archaeology of the Abbey. Edward the Confessor's enigmatic church
plan is discussed and the evidence for later Romanesque structures
is assembled for the first time. Five papers examine aspects of
Henry III's vast new Abbey church and its decoration. A further
four cover aspects of the later medieval period, coronation, and
Sir George Gilbert Scott's impact as the Abbey's greatest Surveyor
of the Fabric. A pair of papers examines the development of the
northern precinct of the Abbey, around St Margaret's Church, and
the remarkable buildings of Westminster School, created within the
remains of the monastery in the 17th and 18th centuries. Part II
part deals with the Palace of Westminster and its wider topography
between the late 11th century and the devastating fire of 1834 that
largely destroyed the medieval palace. William Rufus's enormous
hall and its famous roofs are completely reassessed, and
comparisons discussed between this structure and the great hall at
Caen. Other essays reconsider Henry III's palace, St Stephen's
chapel, the king's great chamber (the 'Painted Chamber') and the
enigmatic Jewel Tower. The final papers examine the meeting places
of Parliament and the living accommodation of the MPs who attended
it, the topography of the Palace between the Reformation and the
fire of 1834, and the building of the New Palace which is better
known today as the Houses of Parliament.
Dominating the city from its volcanic rock, Edinburgh Castle is one
of the oldest fortified places in Europe. This natural stronghold
has been occupied for thousands of years, shifting its shape as it
was adapted for new uses and against new threats. The castle has
long been a royal residence and a focus for national pride - a
place of strength where kings and queens could enjoy relative
safety in turbulent times, and national treasures could be securely
stored. It has been at the heart of Scotland's major events, fought
over, held and recaptured time after time. In fact, it is the most
besieged place in Great Britain, and remained in military use well
into the past century. Over the years Edinburgh Castle has
attracted countless visitors with an interest in Scotland's
dramatic history. This book invites visitors to explore the castle
and learn about its extraordinary history and discover some of its
fascinating secrets.
![Stirling Castle (Paperback): Peter Yeoman, Kirsty Owen, Historic Scotland](//media.loot.co.za/images/x80/1299579633022179215.jpg) |
Stirling Castle
(Paperback)
Peter Yeoman, Kirsty Owen, Historic Scotland
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R203
R187
Discovery Miles 1 870
Save R16 (8%)
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The volcanic crag that dominates Stirling was probably fortified
from ancient times, but the importance of Stirling Castle as a
royal residence peaked in the 16th century. Around 1500, James IV
added new buildings including the vast Great Hall. The elegant
Chapel Royal was built by James VI in 1594. But the heart of
Stirling Castle is the spectacular Palace, commissioned by James V
in the 1530s. Its exuberant design drew on the fashions of the
European Renaissance to express James's power and sophistication.
Following a major programme of research, Historic Scotland has
re-presented the Palace interiors as they might have looked when
James V's grand scheme was completed. This book also includes a
guide to Argyll's Lodging and Mar's Wark, grand residences occupied
by major nobles near castle.
'Somerville knows more about wooden barn construction than almost
anyone alive.'-The Telegraph 'A joyful reminder of why nature,
being outside, being together and creating beauty is so good for
the soul.'-Kate Humble, broadcaster and author of A Year of Living
Simply 'For all our advances, it's hard to deny the modern world
brings with it new ills of disconnection and disenfranchisement,
but here in Barn Club they've found their cure.'-Barn the Spoon,
master craftsman and author of Spon Nature meets traditional craft
in this celebration of the elm tree, beautiful buildings and
community spirit. Barn Club calls on us to discover our landscapes
more intimately and to explore the joys of making beautiful things
by hand, together. When renowned craftsman Robert Somerville moved
to Hertfordshire, he discovered an unexpected landscape rich with
wildlife and elm trees. Nestled within London's commuter belt, this
wooded farmland inspired Somerville, a lifelong woodworker, to
revive the ancient tradition of hand-raising barns. Barn Club
follows the building of Carley Barn over the course of one year.
Volunteers from all walks of life joined Barn Club, inspired to
learn this ancient skill of building elm barns by hand, at its own
quiet pace and in the company of others, while using timber from
the local woods. The tale of the elm tree in its landscape is
central to Barn Club. Its natural history, historic importance and
remarkable survival make for a fascinating story. This is a tale of
forgotten trees, a local landscape and an ancient craft. This book
includes sixteen pages of colour photographs, and black and white
line drawings of techniques and traditional timber frame barns
feature throughout.
Leicestershire and Rutland, occupying the area between the Great
North Road and Watling Street have seen the movement of armies from
Roman times to the Civil War, with the decisive battles of Bosworth
and Naseby fought within or close to their borders. The Victorian
era saw the development of both the regular and volunteer forces
that would later fight in two world wars, while the development of
military flight in both defensive and offensive roles was a
twentieth-century theme. Leicestershire and Rutland witnessed
defence against the Zeppelins in the First World War; jet engines
and US airborne forces in the Second World War; and elements of
Britain's nuclear deterrent during the Cold War. The eavesdroppers
of the 'Y' Service at Beaumanor Hall provided much of the raw
material for Bletchley Park's code-breakers during the Second World
War. Evidence of this military activity is visible in the
landscape: castles of earthwork, stone or brick; barracks and
volunteer drill halls; airfields, missile sites and munitions
factories; pillboxes, observer corps posts and bunkers. This book
places sites into their social, political, historical and military
contexts, as well as figures such as William the Conqueror, Richard
III, and Oliver Cromwell.
Castles were introduced into England by the Normans in the 11th
century, with more than 1500 built throughout England and Wales
over the next 400 years. Colourful photos of castles now and
artworks showing what they looked like centuries ago accompany
informative detail about topics such as medieval castle life,
knights and chivalry, and the castle as a home as well as fortress.
Also includes a list of interesting castles to visit, including
some National Trust properties. A book for lovers of England and
her history. Look out for more Pitkin Guides on the very best of
British history, heritage and travel.
Ruined cities overgrown by jungle. Towns buried beneath the ground.
Statues lying half- hidden in the sand. Why do civilisations
collapse? Why are towns abandoned? And how do once mighty cities
come to be forgotten about? From the pyramids of Egypt to the ruins
at Angkor in Cambodia and on to the mysteries of the Easter Island
moai statues, Abandoned Civilisations is a brilliant pictorial work
examining lost worlds. What emerges is a picture of how vast
societies can rise, thrive and then collapse. We admire how whole
cities develop, but equally fascinating is what happens when their
moment has passed. From the 9th century temples at Khajuraho in
India which were lost in the date palm trees until stumbled across
by European engineers in the 19th century to Mayan pyramids in the
Guatemalan jungle to Roman cities semi-buried - but consequently
preserved - in the North African desert, the book explores why
societies fall and what, once abandoned, they leave behind to
history. With 150 striking colour photographs exploring 100 worlds,
Abandoned Civilisations is a fascinating visual history of the
mysteries of lost societies.
The Marlborough Mound has recently been recognised as one of the
most important monuments in the group around Stonehenge. It was
also a medieval castle and a feature in a major 17th century
garden. This is the first comprehensive history of this
extraordinary site. Marlborough Mound, standing among the buildings
of Marlborough College, has attracted little attention until
recently. Records showed it to be the motte of a Norman castle, of
which there were no visible remains. The local historians and
archaeologists who had investigated it had found very little in the
way of archaeological evidence beyond a few prehistoric antler
picks, the odd Roman coin, and a scatter of medieval pottery. It
was to be archaeology which provided the most dramatic discovery
after the Mound Trust began to restore the mound in 2003. English
Heritage were investigating Silbury Hill, and arranged to take
cores from the Mound for dating purposes. The results were
remarkable, as they showed that the Mound was almost a twin of
Silbury Hill and therefore belonged to the extraordinary assembly
of prehistoric monuments centred on Stonehenge. For the medieval
period, this book brings together for the first time all that we
know about the castle from the royal records and from chronicles.
These show that it was for a time one of the major royal castles in
the land. Most of the English kings from William I to Edward III
spent time here. For Henry III and his queen Eleanor of Provence,
it was their favourite castle after Windsor. It marks the end of
the first stage of the work of the Mound Trust, which, following
the restoration, turns to its second objective of promoting public
knowledge of the Mound based on scholarly research. As to its final
form as a garden mound next to the house of the dukes of Somerset,
in the eighteenth century, this emerges from letters and even
poems, and from the recent restoration. Much of this has been slow
and painstaking work, however, involving the removal of the trees
which endangered the structure of the Mound, the recutting of the
spiral path and the careful replanting of the whole area with
suitable vegetation. By doing this, the shape of the Mound as a
garden feature has re-emerged, and can now be seen clearly. This
book marks the end of the first stage of the work of the Mound
Trust, which, following the restoration, turns to its second
objective of promoting public knowledge of the Mound based on
scholarly research.
The castles and other properties owned and managed by the National
Trust for Scotland are precious jewels in the crown of the nation's
heritage. Ensuring they provide a wonderful experience for visitors
requires expertise and enthusiasm from many people, mostly unseen,
who offer specialist knowledge and long-term thinking. This book
pays tribute to the craftspeople, gardeners, foresters, managers,
guides, surveyors, architects, archaeologists, conservators,
planners and more, who have made the Trust's properties so very
special to so many people. It celebrates their many and various
contributions as part of a long and continuing tradition in this
beautiful large-format, highly illustrated volume.
Originally published in 1988, The Castles in England and Wales is a
comprehensive treatment of the archaeology of the castles in
England and Wales. The books looks at how following the Norman
Conquest, one of the most characteristic structures of the English
landscape, the castle, was used to control and survey the
population. In its simplest definition a castle is a fortified
habitation, however this book looks at the many uses of castles,
from their most primitive kind, intended only for periodic use, or
as magnificent decoration, such as Caernarvon and other Welsh
castles of Edward I. It is essential reading for all archaeologists
and historians alike.
Originally published in 1957, Exploring Castles examines the
'classic' castle story. The book traces the origins of castles
across England and Scotland, from the early Norman Castles, to
Edwardian, all the way up to the 'modern' castles. The book case
studies on individual castles, such as Newcastle upon Tyne's
castle, and the coverage of Scottish Tower Houses. The book looks
at the influence of historic concepts surrounding the building of
castles, such 'bastard feudalism'. This book will be of interest to
academics and students of history alike.
At one time, Scotland was home to more than 4,000 castles. It's an
extraordinary number for such a small country and today, around
3,000 still stand. Some are world famous, others have inspired
great works of literature, while others have lit up the silver
screen. There are grand, ticketed visitor attractions but there are
others which are unassuming structures so tucked away that only the
locals seem to know about them. From the triangular-shaped
Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway to the imposing New
Slains Castle in Aberdeenshire, and from the magnificent fortress
that dominates the Edinburgh skyline to the haunting battlements
that stand on the banks of Loch Ness, each tower tells a story,
every turret holds a secret and, together, they span centuries of
fascinating Scottish history. A History and Guide to Scottish
Castles explores the history, architecture, and legends of some of
these fascinating fortresses and looks at why they are so appealing
to visitors today. Sharing amazing facts and her own unique
experiences, author Jenna Maxwell takes readers on an unforgettable
tour of some of Scotland's most amazing castles which, if you
haven't visited them already, you'll soon want to. Jenna has
documented her journey on her Instagram page @queenofthecastles
First multi-disciplinary study of the cultural and social milieu of
the post-medieval castle. The castle was an imposing architectural
landmark in late medieval and early modern England and Wales.
Castles were much more than lordly residences: they were
accommodation to guests and servants, spaces of interaction between
the powerful and the powerless, and part of larger networks of
tenants, parks, and other properties. These structures were
political, symbolic, residential, and military, and shaped the ways
in which people consumed the landscape and interacted with the
local communities around them. This volume offers the first
interdisciplinary study of the socio-cultural understanding of the
castle in the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries, a
period duringwhich the castle has largely been seen as in decline.
Bringing together a wide range of source material - from
architectural remains and archaeological finds to household records
and political papers - it investigates the personnel of the castle;
the use of space for politics and hospitality; the landscape; ideas
of privacy; and the creation of a visual legacy. By focusing on
such an iconic structure, the book allows us to see some of the
ways in which men and women were negotiating the space around them
on a daily basis; and just as importantly, it reveals the impact
that the local communities had on the spaces of the castle. AUDREY
M. THORSTAD teaches in the Department of History, University of
North Texas.
From the Highlands of Scotland to the plains of northern India,
Castles of the World is a beautiful examination of past worlds
viewed through strongholds that continue to enrich the modern
landscape. They evoke an imagined age of aristocratic warriors and
noble aspirations. Presented in a handy, pocket-sized format,
arranged chronologically and illustrated with more than 200 colour
photographs, Castles of the World examines more than 150
fortifications from across the world, from Cathar castles and
Alpine schloesser to Norman keeps and Samurai strongholds. Discover
how the 13th-century Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland was destroyed
during the Jacobite rebellion of 1719; learn about Turkey's
Marmaris Castle, built in 1522 by Suleiman the Magnificent to
support his attack on neighbouring Rhodes; and explore the
Mughal-constructed Red Fort in Delhi, home of Muslim rulers from
1648 until 1803, and today a symbol of Indian nationalism.
Dover Castle is one of England's greatest fortresses. At its heart
lies the Great Tower, a huge Anglo-Norman keep that has dominated
the White Cliffs since the 1180s, remaining in continuous use
thereafter. This book explores the history and development of the
Great Tower in detail, beginning with its construction in the reign
of Henry II and ending when the Ministry of Works took it over in
1930, to conserve and open it as a monument for public visits. The
book is comprised of several chapters by thirteen contributors, and
looks at three main themes. The first examines the making of the
Great Tower as the centrepiece of Henry II's rebuilding of the
whole castle on an immense scale in the 1180s, pointing to its
English and Continental ancestry as well as the people and
political circumstances which brought about its creation. The
second theme is concerned with the subsequent history of the
building as an occasional royal residence, the end of royal
interest in the 17th century and its later use as a prison,
barracks and ordnance store between the 18th and 20th centuries. A
final theme examines trends in how the building has been
interpreted as a public monument since 1930 and especially its most
recent presentation, in 2009, to evoke appreciation of its use as
envisaged when first built in the late 12th century.
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R172
Discovery Miles 1 720
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