Behind the Castle Gate: From the Middle Ages to the Renaissance / Edition 1

by Matthew Johnson

Overview

In this engaging book Matthew Johnson looks 'behind the castle gate' to discover the truth about castles in England at the end of the Middle Ages.

Traditional studies have seen castles as compromises between the needs of comfort and of defence, and as statements of wealth or power or both. By encouraging the reader to view castles in relation to their inhabitants, Matthew Johnson uncovers a whole new vantage point. He shows how castles functioned as stage-settings against which people played out roles of lord and servant, husband and wife, father and son. Building, rebuilding and living in a castle was as complex an experience as a piece of medieval art.

Behind the Castle Gate brings castles and their inhabitants alive. Combining ground-breaking scholarship with fascinating narratives it will be read avidly by all with an interest in castles.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780415261005
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/30/2002
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	230
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Johnson, Matthew

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements. List of Figures. Preface: Behind the gate at Cooling 1. Introduction: Casting our Eyes Upon Sconces 2. Watery Landscapes 3. The Ordering of the Late Medieval Castle 4. Medieval to Renaissance 5. Kenilworth: The evidence house 6. Beyond the Pale 7. Conclusion: Rethinking castles Glossary. Bibliography. Index

Editorial Reviews

'It is so important a contribution to castle studies, that ... colleagues ought to be aware of it ... this is a deeply scholarly book which requires the most intense attention given to it.' - Fortress Study Group Casemate

'A work that is full of ideas, stimulating and written in a style that makes is a pleasure to read. In the field of 'historic archaeology' Johnson has already made his mark - his latest offering will not disappoint.' - Landscape History

'Highly personal and engaging ... Behind the Castle Gate has much to offer the student of vernacular architecture as well as the devotees of castle studies ... hugely enjoyable.' - Vernacular Architecture

From the Publisher