Text in English & German. In the area along the Weser, there was a great deal of building activity between the Reformation and the Thirty Years War which was helped along by economic prosperity. Little affected later by war or modernisation, high quality Renaissance castles, aristocratic estates, town halls and civic architecture have survived here in exceptional density. This facet of Central European Renaissance architecture started to be appreciated in the early 20th century. This led to the concept of the Weser Renaissance, oriented above all towards formal and regional history, and still popular today, like a kind of brand. The present volume offers a representative selection of the region's castles and palaces for the first time, dealing with both princely residences and seats of the nobility. Architecture and court culture are placed in a European context that goes beyond older approaches based on the stylistic history and shows that forms demonstrating princely prestige have qualities in common well outside the region. Michael Bischoff's introductory text provides an overview of Renaissance architecture in the Weser area. Uwe Albrecht and Julian Jachmann explain the terminology and function of princely architecture. Heiner Borggrefe analyses early Renaissance architectural ornamentation, G Ulrich Grossmann covers the topic after the mid-16th century. Thomas Fusenig writes on the arts and sciences at the courts. Rolf Schoenlau discusses aspects of building materials in terms of economic history. Hillert Ibbeken deals with the sandstone that is most frequently used from a geological point of view. The descriptive catalogue is by Katja Schoene and Michael Bischoff.

Explore Culzean Castle with this book! Culzean Castle on the Ayrshire coast is the most visited property of the National Trust for Scotland. This lavishly illustrated book tells the whole history of the castle. Michael Moss has carried out extensive research, drawing on estate records, original plans and family correspondence to create a major new history of the castle and a fascinating account of the running of a Scottish country estate. With new pictures, many of them in colour, and an accessible style, this is essential reading for anyone interested in Scottish history and Scottish architecture. Built in the late sixteenth century above a network of caves, the castle became a centre for smuggling during the eighteenth century. Sir Thomas Kennedy, 9th Earl of Cassillis, went on an extended grand tour in the 1750s and returned full of ideas as to how to improve his vast estates and home. His brother and heir commissioned Robert Adam to create his masterpiece and became bankrupt as a result. The estate was rescued when wealthy American cousins inherited it in 1792. Archibald Kennedy, 1st Marquess of Ailsa, completed the house and lavished money on the property. Key Features: *Major new account of Culzean's history, going back four hundred years. *Beautifully produced and lavishly illustrated, with many new pictures. *Includes easy-to-read story of the family, plus family tree. *Essential reading for anyone interested in Scottish history and Adam architecture.

An introduction to the castles of Wales, this is also a detailed guide to 70 of them for the historical tourist. The main guide is made up of entries on medieval castles that include notes on access, OS-grid references, history and building details.

Castles are among the most mysterious buildings on earth. Their grimly silent stones are signposts to a past filled with high adventure, grim tragedies, and glorious victories. Ghosts, hauntings, and other paranormal phenomena are frequently reported from castles. Do strange paranormal powers lurk among their ancient ruins?

The World's Most Mysterious Castles takes you on a journey through hidden chambers and subterranean tunnels of castles all over the world. Their walls served the sinister needs of spies, traitors, and assassins. Do the spirits of attackers and defenders who died in long-forgotten sieges still linger where they fell? Screams of unbearable pain and despair were muffled within their deepest, darkest torture dungeons. Do they echo there still?

An innovative examination of heritage politics in Japan, showing how castles have been used to re-invent and recapture competing versions of the pre-imperial past and project possibilities for Japan's future. Oleg Benesch and Ran Zwigenberg argue that Japan's modern transformations can be traced through its castles. They examine how castle preservation and reconstruction campaigns served as symbolic ways to assert particular views of the past and were crucial in the making of an idealized premodern history. Castles have been used to craft identities, to create and erase memories, and to symbolically join tradition and modernity. Until 1945, they served as physical and symbolic links between the modern military and the nation's premodern martial heritage. After 1945, castles were cleansed of military elements and transformed into public cultural spaces that celebrated both modernity and the pre-imperial past. What were once signs of military power have become symbols of Japan's idealized peaceful past.

Learn all about knights and castles in this spooky history-themed instalment of DK Books' new educational fiction series for children aged 7 to 9 years old. Meet the Secret Explorers - a band of brainiac kids from all around the world, here to take young readers on a series of fact-filled fictional adventures! Each with their own specialty, from outer space to dinosaurs, these young globetrotters will teach kids that learning can be fun, encouraging them to become experts in something they love. In this fun, fact-filled children's book, Kiki the engineering explorer and Gustavo the history expert get caught up in a spooky time travel mystery when a ghostly figure shows up at a medieval castle and terrifies the crowds! This epic adventure is packed with: -Fun facts and illustrations about exciting prehistoric animals -Simple and informative diagrams telling kids all they need to know about castles and knights -Quizzes, mission notes, and a glossary of words with definitions With a gripping narrative that keeps kids engaged, The Secret Explorers and the Haunted Castle by SJ King is the perfect gift for children who are into all things history. It's written for children aged 7-9 years, with lots of information about medieval knights, castles and ghosts, to give them an exciting introduction into the world of history. At the end of this fictional book, you'll find "Kiki's Mission Notes" which is a summary of all the scientific facts and discoveries made throughout the story. With fun illustrations, quizzes, and a vocabulary list, the educational value of this book is outstanding and great for a classroom read! Never miss a mission! A total of nine different books, The Secret Explorer series is both educational and imaginative, combining exciting stories with real-life facts. Embark on another space mission adventure in The Secret Explorers and the Comet Collision. Travel back in time to save a dinosaur egg from destruction in The Secret Explorers and the Jurassic Rescue. Take part in a volcano rescue in The Secret Explorers and the Smoking Volcano. Then travel to the arctic for a rescue mission in Secret Explorers and the Missing Scientist. Whatever your preferred topic, there's a mission waiting for you!

Carmarthen Castle was one of the largest castles in medieval Wales. It was also one of the most important, in its role as a centre of government and as a Crown possession in a region dominated by Welsh lands and Marcher lordships. Largely demolished during the seventeenth century, it was subsequently redeveloped, first as a prison and later as the local authority headquarters. Yet the surviving remains, and their situation, are still impressive. The situation changed with a major programme of archaeological and research work, from 1993 to 2006, which is described in this book. The history of the castle, its impact on the region and on Wales as a whole are also examined: we see the officials and other occupants of the castle, their activities and how they interacted with their environment. Excavations at the castle, and the artefacts recovered, are described along with its remaining archaeological potential. This book puts Carmarthen Castle back at the heart of the history of medieval Wales, and in its proper place in castle studies and architectural history, the whole study combining to make a major contribution to the history of one of Wales's great towns.

Japan's ancient castles provide deep insights into the country's compelling military history. Discover the secrets of Japan's feudal past by exploring the most famous castles of the Samurai era. The enormous stone walls, multi-level towers, and sophisticated defense systems are not simply impressive fortresses, but spectacular works of Japanese architecture, constructed without the use of steel or modern equipment. These monumental structures fulfilled a need for protection without sacrificing aesthetic values. Understanding the cultural contexts of these Samurai castles helps create a better understanding of Japanese culture today. In this fascinating Japanese castle book you will discover the rich history and creators of well-known castles such as Himeji, Osaka, and Nijo that you would otherwise need to travel to Japan to experience in person. Chronicling the story of each castle individually conveys a greater understanding of how and why they were built, and identifies their singular features for historians, architecture aficionados, world travelers, and Japanophiles alike. With over two hundred colour images, numerous diagrams, maps, and detailed descriptions, Samurai Castles is the most comprehensive Japanese history book on this intriguing topic.

Whether ruined or opulent, castles have the power to fire the imagination. For almost a millennium, they have studded the Irish countryside. The concept of using building methods to protect territory was introduced from overseas in the twelfth century, when the Irish term caislean began to appear in manuscripts. By the sixteenth century, Ireland had become the most castellated country in Europe. In this latest book, Tarquin Blake takes us on a breathtaking tour of Anglo-Norman fortresses, medieval towers, fortified houses and the neo-Gothic piles of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The castles - including lesser-known gems like Fiddaun Castle in County Galway as well as luxury hotels such as Ashford Castle in County Mayo - are captured in atmospheric photos and brought to life through the true stories of the families whose adventures, struggles and ambitions are reflected in the fortified residences they constructed. By pairing the castles' romantic appearances with in-depth tales of siege, intrigue, conflict and capture, Blake reveals our rich past and startling architectural legacy. Exploring Ireland's Castles is sure to delight any history buff or armchair traveller.

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!

Through colourful illustrations and accounts of actual sieges in every chapter, you'll discover how armies from medieval times up to the English Civil War attacked and besieged British castles and how changing weaponry shaped the defences we see the remains of today. As castle design developed, attackers had to change their tactics and introduce new siege methods to bring the walls down. The weapons, siege engines and mining techniques used are described in detail here, alongside diagrams showing how they worked and details of the defensive structures erected to counter them.

Sussex is a fascinating county, saturated with history, legends and mysteries. Everywhere there are remains of these stories: a curious relic preserved in a church, an unusual grave outside, some ruinous building down the road, or a bizarre artefact in the local museum. Author Christopher Horlock has been travelling around Sussex for many years, photographing these remains and researching the stories behind them. Myths, legends and folklore further enrich the tales and reveal the mindset of Sussex people of the past. Ruins, Remains and Relics: Sussex delves into the unusual, the offbeat and the decidedly quirky, ranging from a ruined castle to a simple, single spoon. This fascinating exploration of the history, legends and stories of Sussex will interest all those who know the county well in addition to those who wish to know more about its history.

An ancient hilltop fortress. A crusader citadel in the West Bank. A fairytale medieval castle fallen into ruin. From ancient times to the end of the nineteenth century, Abandoned Castles explores more than 100 forts, castles and defensive strongholds from all around the globe. From medieval Japanese castles to Spanish colonial forts in West Africa to Norman stone keeps, the book ranges widely across history. Many have long ceased to serve a purpose, but then, like the crusader castle Krak de Chevaliers in Syria today, their impenetrable walls become the site of more fighting centuries later. Others, such as the Cathar Chateau de Queribus in southern France, stand high above peaceful coastlines, testament to the wars of the past. Some are beautiful, others brutal, but each tells a story about the way we fought and defended ourselves, and how the building has survived and aged, long after the people it was built by are gone. With 150 outstanding colour photographs, Abandoned Castles is a brilliant pictorial examination of castles, forts, keeps, and defensive fortifications from the ancient world to the end of the nineteenth century.

A compendium of 28 beautiful, historical Scottish Castles for local and visitor alikeScotland: A land with rich history, wild landscapes and some of the most beautiful castles on Earth. There have been over 2000 castles in scottish history; some have been preserved in superb condition, some lie in picturesque ruin and others have been resigned to historical records.Discover the story of the well-trodden fortress of Edinburgh Castle, uncover the beautiful remoteness of Eileen Donan and learn all about Castle Urquhart, on the banks of Loch Ness. These are the sites of feuds, the homes of royalty and the locations of great battles.This Pitkin guide takes the reader on a tour of 28 of Scotland's most magnificent castles. Revised for 2019, it makes a perfect addition to the literature for any visitor to the country.

'A lovely, uplifting, summery read. ' Bestselling author, Lisa Hobman 'A wonderful summer read. It had everything - romance, family, forgiveness and second chances. Highly recommended!' Bestselling author, Alison Sherlock Every end has a new beginning... When Pixie Sampson's husband tragically dies, she inherits the beautiful Chateau Quiltu in Brittany, Northern France. But unbeknown to her, she also inherits a mysterious lodger, Justine Martin and her 4-year-old son Ferdie. Heartbroken and with her adventurous Mum, Gwen in tow, they travel to France to put the Chateau on the market but are soon drawn into a quest to seek the Chateau's secrets. Who is Justine? Why is she living at the Chateau? How did she know her husband? Over the Summer months, the Chateau fills with family and laughter and secrets are discovered and old wounds begin to heal. Escape to the Chateau with top 10 international bestseller Jennifer Bohnet, for an uplifting story of family, love and second chances. What readers are saying about Summer at the Chateau:'This book was a wonderful story full of likeable characters, grief, forgiveness, family, new beginnings, and second chances.' 'An uplifting and wise tale.' 'Emotional and realistic, a wonderful read.' 'A feel good read, dealing mainly with themes as forgiveness, family and second chances.' 'A very well written book, set in a beautiful and superbly described location.' 'I really do think each one of Jennifer's books I read becomes my new favourite.' If you are looking for your next read to give you that escape from reality, lockdown and life with Covid, that I think we all need right now, this is one for you.'

'A lovely, uplifting, summery read. ' Bestselling author, Lisa Hobman 'A wonderful summer read. It had everything - romance, family, forgiveness and second chances. Highly recommended!' Bestselling author, Alison Sherlock Every end has a new beginning... When Pixie Sampson's husband tragically dies, she inherits the beautiful Chateau Quiltu in Brittany, Northern France. But unbeknown to her, she also inherits a mysterious lodger, Justine Martin and her 4-year-old son Ferdie. Heartbroken and with her adventurous Mum, Gwen in tow, they travel to France to put the Chateau on the market but are soon drawn into a quest to seek the Chateau's secrets. Who is Justine? Why is she living at the Chateau? How did she know her husband? Over the Summer months, the Chateau fills with family and laughter and secrets are discovered and old wounds begin to heal. Escape to the Chateau with top 10 international bestseller Jennifer Bohnet, for an uplifting story of family, love and second chances. What readers are saying about Summer at the Chateau:'This book was a wonderful story full of likeable characters, grief, forgiveness, family, new beginnings, and second chances.' 'An uplifting and wise tale.' 'Emotional and realistic, a wonderful read.' 'A feel good read, dealing mainly with themes as forgiveness, family and second chances.' 'A very well written book, set in a beautiful and superbly described location.' 'I really do think each one of Jennifer's books I read becomes my new favourite.' If you are looking for your next read to give you that escape from reality, lockdown and life with Covid, that I think we all need right now, this is one for you.'

Wales, a small country, is littered with the relics of war - Iron Age forts, Roman ruins, medieval castles and the coastal forts of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The biggest construction of fortifications in Wales took place during the reign of Edward I. They were not only built to deter an invader, but to control the frequent Welsh uprisings. The next wave of constructions occurred during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, when a number of forts and gun emplacements were built, mostly in South Wales, to deter a seaborne invasion. The twentieth century introduced a new mode of defence, especially during the two world wars, in the form of pillboxes, tank traps and gun emplacements. The various airfields constructed were the most visible form of defence and could be regarded as the castles of the period. This book looks at how Welsh castles protected Wales to make it what it is today.

Billy Colfer's Wexford Castles expands the IRISH LANDSCAPES series by taking a thematic approach, while still staying loyal to the central landscape focus. Rather than adapting a narrowly architectural approach, he situates these buildings in a superbly reconstructed historical, social, and cultural milieu. County Wexford has three strikingly different regions - the Anglo-Norman south, the hybridised middle and the Gaelic north - which render it a remarkable version in parvo of the wider island. Colfer's wide-angle lens takes in so much than the castles themselves, as he ranges widely and deeply in reading these striking buildings as texts, revealing the cultural assumptions and historical circumstances which shaped them. In this most cosmopolitan of counties, we range far and wide in search of the wide-spreading roots of its cultural landscape - from the Crusades and the Mani peninsula in Greece to the Bristol Channel, from Crac des Chevaliers to Westminster, from the Viking north and the cold Atlantic to the warm Mediterranean south. The book breaks new ground in exploring the long-run cultural shadow cast by the Anglo-Normans and their castles, as this appears in the Gothic Revival, in the poetry of Yeats and in the surprisingly profuse crop of Wexford historians and writers. While most books on a single architectural form can end up visually monotonous, creativity has been lavished on this volume in terms of keeping the images varied, fresh and constantly appealing. The result is a sympathetic and innovative treatment of the castles, understood not just as a mere architectural form, but as keys to unlocking the mentalite of those who lived in them. Wexford Castles: landscape, context and settlement is a worthy conclusion of Billy's Colfer's superb trilogy of landscape studies.

Long regarded as disturbing remnants of the Atlantic slave trade, the European forts and castles of West Africa have attained iconic positions as universally significant historical monuments and world heritage tourist destinations. This volume of original contributions by leading Africanists presents extensive new historical views of the forts in Ghana and Benin, providing both impetus and a scholarly basis for further research and fresh debate about their historical and geographical contexts; their role in the slave trade; the economic and political connections, centred on the forts, between the Europeans and local African polities; and their place in variously focused heritage studies and endeavours. Contributors are Hermann W. von Hesse, Daniel Hopkins, Jon Olav Hove, Ole Justesen, Ineke van Kessel, Robin Law, John Kwadwo Osei-Tutu, Jarle Simensen, Selena Axelrod Winsnes, Larry Yarak.