castles great_britain ireland castles played important military economic social role great_britain ireland introduction following norman invasion england small number castles built england began build bailey castles large numbers control newly occupied territories england 12th century began build castles stone characteristic square keeps played military political roles royal castles control key towns economically important forests castles norman lords control widespread estates david invited lords scotland early 12th century help control areas kingdom new lords brought castle technologies wooden castles began established south kingdom following norman invasion ireland henry_ii castles established castles continued grow military comfort 12th century leading sharp increase complexity length england ireland wales castle architecture continued follow england death trend scotland moved away construction larger castles use smaller tower houses tower house style adopted north england ireland later years built sequence militarily powerful castles destruction welsh 14th century castles combining defences luxurious sophisticated living arrangements heavily gardens parks royal castles left decline 15th century maintained defensive purposes small number castles england scotland developed palaces hosted lavish celebrations amid elaborate architecture structures means royalty richest late medieval barons gunpowder weapons defend castles late 14th century onwards clear 16th century provided artillery transported brought bear besieged castle gunpowder weapons play important attack role defences coastal castles british isles improved deal threat investment declined end 16th century widespread civil religious conflicts british isles castles played key role england modern defences quickly built alongside existing medieval fortifications cases castles successfully siege ireland introduction heavy siege artillery brought rapid end utility castles war scotland popular tower houses proved unsuitable defending civil war artillery major castles edinburgh strong resistance end war castles prevent future use military use castles rapidly decreased subsequent years adapted use garrisons scotland key border locations years come including second world war castles county parliamentary legislation 19th closed period early 18th century castles favour architecture emerged important cultural social feature england wales scotland frequently improved 18th 19th centuries renovations raised concerns protection today castles british isles legislation primarily tourist attractions castles form key national heritage industry historians archaeologists continue develop understanding british castles vigorous academic debates recent years questioned interpretation physical documentary material surrounding original construction use norman invasion anglo saxon fortifications english word castle derives latin word refer private fortified residence lord noble presence castles britain ireland dates primarily norman invasion arrival built fortified structures origins 9th century especially urban areas large best described fortified private dwellings usually classed castles rural smaller usually consisted wooden hall wall domestic buildings entrance tower called apparently ceremonial purposes rural relatively secure role primarily ceremonial normally classed castles small number castles built england probably norman knights service include richard castle possibly dover invasion william duke normandy invaded england actions landing build protect supply routes following victory battle hastings began phases castle building establishment new king number royal castles key strategic locations royal castle programme focused controlling towns cities england associated lines communication including cambridge lincoln nottingham york castles built thirds built towns cities anglo saxon urban castles use existing town walls fortifications typically required demolition local houses space cause extensive damage records suggest lincoln houses destroyed cambridge castles deliberately built important local buildings halls local nobles constructed imitate aspects previous buildings gatehouse castle exeter closely resembled previous anglo saxon tower probably demonstrate local population answered new norman rulers second waves castle building led major junior knights new estates conquered lands king influenced castles built key locations king gave followers compact groups estates including sussex chester intended protect line communication border respectively areas baron castles relatively tightly england nobles estates castles widely dispersed pushed advanced valleys building castles went larger castles neighbouring base result castle building norman nobility england marches lacked grand strategic plan reflecting local circumstances military factors layout existing estates church lands castles situated old roman roads formed backbone travel country control lines communication ensure easy movement different estates castles built close inland river ports built coast usually located mouths rivers ports rare exceptions groups castles located mutually reinforcing example castles intended act integrated defence area gloucester gloucester city windsor ring castles built london approximately day march apart regional patterns castle building seen relatively castles built compared west england marches probably relatively settled prosperous nature east england reflected shortage available labour castles occupied simultaneously built invasions abandoned new castles constructed especially western borders recent estimates suggest castles occupied time post conquest period architecture large degree variation size exact shape castles built england wales invasion popular form castle bailey earth mound called support wooden tower wider enclosed area built alongside called bailey typical example post invasion castle widespread design earth built circular oval shape topped wooden good example norman case built hill post invasion castles usually sited lower ground norman castles period followed bailey pattern particularly popular certain areas south west england south wales theory forward explain variation easier build shallow soil areas larger london castle stone castles built england immediately conquest characteristic square norman castles built style intended impress provide military protection wales wave norman castles wood mixture bailey designs exception stone built castle heavily influenced design numerous materials nearby produce historian termed play images antiquity size castles varied depending geography site decisions builder available resources analysis size shown distinctive regional variation example saw larger built london bailey castles took great effort build required relatively skilled allowing raised forced labour local estates addition speed built single season particularly attractive immediately conquest larger earthworks particularly required greater quantity manpower smaller consequently tended royal belong powerful barons muster required construction effort despite bailey common designs norman castles fortification slightly different castles designed attached single built additional towers added castles built later converted bailey structures 12th century developments castle design early 12th century onwards began build new castles stone convert existing timber designs initially slow process picking speed second half century traditionally transition believed driven crude nature wooden fortifications limited life timber wooden castles vulnerability fire recent archaeological studies shown wooden castles robust complex stone wooden castles converted stone years instead expanded wood early stone keeps built conquest existence followed 12th century built typically sided designs corners reinforced buttresses keeps storeys high entrance storey prevent door easily broken strength design typically came thickness walls usually stone case dover castle walls feet metres thick larger keeps subdivided internal wall smaller versions single slightly cramped chamber floor stone keeps required skilled build unlike labour men paid stone keeps expensive relatively slow erect walls usually raised maximum feet metres year typical taking years build norman stone keeps played military political role keeps physically extremely robust designed intended location final defence castle placed near weak points walls provide supporting fire keeps purely military utility included elaborate blind outside building roman style appears ceremonial entrance route interior hosted impressive ceremonies events contained numerous flaws military perspective similarly extensive debate role castle expensive design closely echoes imperial byzantine palaces intended henry_ii symbolic military nature improvement 12th century onwards creation shell keeps involving replacing wooden circular stone wall buildings built inside shell producing small inner courtyard classic example development perfectly circular wall square entrance tower later circular good example design formidable castles period round castles unusually popular cornwall devon circular design held military advantages 13th century onwards origins 12th century circular design circular design designs circular order accommodate irregular windsor castle economy society english castles period divided royal castles owned king castles controlled anglo norman lords according chronicler william royal castles formed bones kingdom number royal castles designated castles forming administrative hub particular county example winchester castle served centre hampshire castles formed base royal sheriff responsible enforcing royal justice relevant role sheriff stronger century progressed number royal castles linked forests key resources royal forests early medieval period subject special royal jurisdiction forest law historian describes harsh arbitrary matter purely king forests expected supply king hunting grounds raw materials goods money forests typically tied castles assist enforcement law store goods extracted local economy castle linked local lead mining tied eponymous forests respectively south west crown oversaw lead mining industry castles played important role running local courts castles varying size classed key stronghold given lord usually larger better fortified norm usually held local courts king continued exercise right occupy use castle kingdom response external threats cases staff occupied castles men king retained right construction new castles issuing licenses possible bishops build control castles important castle linked practice challenged occasion 12th century practice castle guards emerged england wales lands assigned local lords condition recipient provided certain number knights defence named castle cases dover arrangement sophisticated particular castle towers named particular families owing castle guard duty links castles surrounding lands estates particularly important period castles royal deer parks chases attached purposes hunting usually stretched away village borough associated castle occasionally castle placed centre park anarchy civil war broke england forming turbulent period rival factions struggled power open battles relatively rare war campaigns instead centred sequence raids commanders attempted gain control vital castles controlled territory rival regions siege technology anarchy centred basic stone throwing machines supported siege towers mining combined blockade occasionally direct assault phase conflict known castle war saw sides attempting defeat stephen attempts easterly fortress push london attempts seize taking sides responded challenge conflict building new castles sets strategic fortifications south west supporters built range castles protect territory usually bailey designs similarly stephen built new chain edge castles miles apart order protect lands cambridge castles termed formal permission given construction contemporary saw matter concern suggested castles built conflict probably suggests alternative figure feature war creation counter castles english conflicts years civil war involved building basic castle siege alongside main target attack typically built bailey design yards metres away target range bow counter castles act firing platforms siege weaponry bases controlling region right counter castles destroyed use cases earthworks survived counter castles called jew mount built stephen outside son henry_ii assumed throne end war immediately announced intention eliminate castles sprung war unclear successful effort recorded destroyed giving details figure recent studies selected regions suggested fewer castles probably destroyed thought simply abandoned end conflict certainly new castles nature observes castles known built stephen reign entirely vanished spread castles scotland wales ireland castles scotland emerged consequence royal authority 12th century prior little evidence castles having existed scotland remained politically england north ruled kings norway david scotland spent time court henry south earl returned scotland intention extending royal power country scotland military technology including introduction castles scottish king encouraged norman french nobles settle scotland introducing feudal mode use castles way controlling contested quasi independent resisted rule david predecessors particular focus size scottish castles primarily wooden bailey constructions varied considerably larger designs smaller castles like historian suggested creation castles scotland conquest establishing governing system norman expansion wales slowed 12th century remained ongoing threat remaining native rulers response welsh princes lords began build castles usually wood indications begun onwards documentary evidence native welsh castle timber castles including equivalent quality norman fortifications area prove difficult distinguish builders sites archaeological evidence end 12th century welsh rulers began build castles stone primarily ireland remained ruled native kings 12th century largely use castles history irish fortifications called type heavily defended usually considered castles usual sense word kings constructed fortifications called latin french castle considerable academic debate far resembled european castles norman invasion ireland began henry_ii england occupation southern eastern ireland number barons rapid norman success depended key economic military advantages castles enabling control newly conquered territories new lords rapidly built castles protect possessions bailey constructions built remains uncertain castles built ireland anglo castles trim built stone centres major barons analysis stone castles suggests building stone simply military decision castles contain defensive flaws instead designs including focus large stone keeps intended increase prestige owners provide adequate space administrative apparatus new territories unlike wales indigenous irish lords appear constructed castles significant number period 13th 14th centuries military developments castle design britain continued change end 12th century henry_ii ceased built england continued erected wales marches square keeps remained common england contrast circular keeps increasingly prevailing france marches circular designs popular castles began regular enclosed shape design especially prosperous south flanking towers initially square curved introduced walls began grow size complexity introduced time castles dover tower london expanded concentric design labelled early development scientific fortification developments spread possessions ireland english style castles dominated 13th century deteriorating irish economy 14th century brought wave building end scotland undertook number castle building projects modern style early death sparked conflict scotland english intervention edward ensuing wars scottish independence castle building scotland altered path turning away building larger conventional castles curtain walls scots instead adopted policy deliberately destroying castles captured scotland english prevent use subsequent invasions new scottish castles built nobles tower house design larger castles built scotland typically royal castles built scottish kings changes driven developments military technology mining rarely siege engines time largely incapable damaging thicker castle walls introduction began change situation able throw heavier balls remarkable accuracy reconstructed devices shown able knock holes walls recorded england probably year richard crusade appears started alter castle designs accommodate new technology return europe encouraged shift round towers curved walls addition having fewer dead zones easier defend mining castle designs easy attack curved surfaces force shot castles saw increasing use 13th century especially england certainly linked introduction combined firing positions tops towers initially protected wooden stone introduced england late 13th century important military advance older short bow favoured weapon time richard vast numbers needed supply royal forces turn requiring larger scale iron production england primarily tower london castle local forest dean available provide raw materials national centre quarrel manufacture scotland centre production bows siege engines king result english castle grew complexity scale prominent dover windsor castle showed ability modern designs withstand attack king john successful siege rochester required elaborate sophisticated assault reportedly costing marks siege castle required bring siege engines engineers bolts equipment labourers england siege castle second barons war larger longer extensive water defences attack future edward despite prince targeting weaker parts castle walls employing huge siege towers attempting night attack barges brought chester costs siege exhausted revenues english counties scotland initially smaller scale recorded event siege besieging able break relatively weak stone walls axes days edward invaded scotland brought siege capabilities evolved south border fell days castles surrendered king subsequent english attacks considerable resources including giant siege engines extensive teams miners economy society number royal castles 12th century onwards formed essential network royal 13th century wide range goods including food drink weapons armour raw materials castles southampton winchester bristol tower london import store distribute royal english royal castles insisted royal establish coming years county placed royal castles conditions poor claims poor treatment starvation common appears seen worst abuses development castles england affected economic changes period 13th 14th centuries average english barons increased wealth concentrated hands smaller number individuals greater time costs maintaining modern castle increasing result castles england number castles continued diminish coming years barons inclined let castles slide focus resources remaining stock castle guard system faded england replaced financial continued 13th century saw limited use edward occupation scotland early 14th century remaining english castles increasingly comfortable interiors painted decorated transported castle castle nobles travelled country increasing number built inside castles castles floors windows furnished glass allowing introduction window seats reading food transported castles relatively long distances fish brought sea miles away example remained heavily consumed food castles particularly surrounded extensive parks forests prime cuts imported castles lacked hunting grounds late 13th century castles built carefully designed landscapes drawing distinction inner core small enclosed garden complete small ponds outer region larger ponds high status buildings religious buildings rabbit mills settlements potentially set park suite small rooms built castle allow result properly appreciated viewing point constructed outside leeds castle redesigned castle placed large water garden end 14th century artificial lake enclosed park produce aesthetically symbolically pleasing entrance fortification wider forests increasingly managed proportion smaller deer consumed castle inhabitants england increased result welsh castles 13th century native welsh princes built number stone castles size varied considerably smaller fortifications substantial castles like largest native welsh castles typically defensive benefits high mountainous sites built irregular shape fit rocky peak deep ditches cut rock protect main castle welsh castles usually built relatively short living accommodation princes nobility distinctive rectangular watch towers walls comparison norman castles weaker design use spiral stonework outer walls generally inferior norman built castles native welsh castles built closely resemble norman designs case including round norman gatehouse defences edward launched final invasion remaining native welsh strongholds intending establish rule region permanent basis occupation instructed leading nobles construct new castles region mid wales flint described finest achievements medieval military architecture england wales castles varied design typically characterised powerful mural towers castle walls multiple firing points large extremely defended castles intended king region included extensive high status accommodation edward established new english towns cases new castles designed alongside fortified town walls integrated defence suggested impression firmly given elite group men war long standing comrades arms king military architectural expression unlimited budget famous architect engineer probably responsible bulk construction work region castles extremely costly build required labourers building resources gathered local england mustered chester bristol sent spring returning home winter number workers involved placed significant drain country national labour force total financial cost calculated certainty estimates suggest edward castle building programme cost times total royal expenditure castles castles strong symbolic statements nature new occupation example decorated carved eagles equipped towers expensive banded masonry designed imitate walls constantinople image imperial power actual site castle important positioned close roman fort elaborate gatehouse excessive sets doors appears designed impress visitors image castle believed byzantine character palace fortresses middle 13th century began redesign favourite castles including winchester windsor building larger halls installing glass windows palaces painted walls furniture marked beginning trend development grand castles designed elaborate elite living life earlier keeps focused single great hall privacy owner family provided upper floor living accommodation 14th century nobles travelling bringing larger households travel entertaining visitors equally large castles redesigned provide greater residential privacy comfort ruling family retaining strong defensive features capacity hold residents castle design influenced subsequent conversions berkeley time built designed hold different noble households facilities royal castles designed defence mind designed hold different households time kings wealthy lords afford redesign castles produce palace fortresses spent windsor castle half times edward typical annual income words result great apparently unified palace uniform sorts ways roof line window heights line floor ceiling heights echoing older designs real defensive value wealthy john redesigned heart like windsor work emphasised rectangular design separation ground floor service areas upper stories contrast lavish interiors especially 1st floor inner bailey buildings end 14th century distinctive english perpendicular style emerged south england private castles built newly emerging wealthy families like work windsor castles drew architectural themes earlier martial designs intended form defence attack new castles heavily influenced french designs involving rectangular semi rectangular castle corner towers moat walls effectively comfortable courtyard plan manor built possessed moat towers genuine military fortification castle primarily intended admired visitors luxurious dwelling architecture comparisons edward great castle north england improvements security scottish border rise major noble families encouraged surge castle building end 14th century palace fortresses took castle styles south combined exceptionally large key towers keeps form distinctive northern style built major noble houses castles typically built south marked historian described second peak castle building england wales designs end 14th century introduction gunpowder early gunpowder weapons introduced england onwards began appear scotland english crown regularly spending money new technology began installed english castles scottish castles cannons sizes smaller hand cannons larger guns firing stone balls inches medium sized weapons weighing useful defence castles eventually established pound guns tower london pound heavy bombard installed edinburgh castle early cannons limited range unreliable addition early stone relatively ineffective fired stone castle walls result early cannon proved useful defence particularly infantry assaults fire crews enemy early cannons dangerous soldiers scotland killed besieging cannons called lion exploded expense early cannons meant primarily weapon deployed royalty nobility cannons english castles initially deployed south coast channel ports essential english trade military operations europe increasingly threatened french raids dover received cannon late 14th century small circular built walls accommodate new weapons subject unsuccessful french siege crown reacting castle cannon mill producing gunpowder english castles welsh borders scotland similarly equipped tower london acting supply depots new weapons scotland cannon castle appears bought edinburgh arsenal new devices 15th 16th centuries decline english castles 15th century castles maintained owners royal castles receiving insufficient investment allow maintained roofs leaked stone work lead wood stolen crown increasingly selective royal castles maintained left decay 15th century windsor leeds kept comfortable accommodation nottingham york formed backbone royal authority north bristol forming west major fortifications castles border castles newcastle saw funding maintenance reduced royal castles continued role county gatehouse frequently principal facility ranks continued reduce 15th century producing smaller elite lords reducing comparative wealth majority castles fell similar decline 16th century accounts english castles descriptions castles sore decayed defences walls good repair decayed english castles play decisive role wars roses fought primarily form pitched battles rival factions renaissance palaces 15th 16th centuries saw small number british castles develop structures drawing renaissance views architecture increasing popularity continent tower keeps large solid keeps private accommodation probably inspired france started appear 14th century 15th century fashion spread creation expensive french influenced castles featuring complex tower keeps central eastern england castles began built brick forming examples new style north border construction great tower picked english tradition incorporated additional french influences produce highly secure comfortable castle guarded gun park royal builders scotland led way adopting styles castle design james exceptional revenues key lands establish power kingdom ways including constructing castles invariably extending modifying existing fortifications scottish castle palaces drew designs particular fashionable design court turrets corner giving clean italian appearance later castles drew renaissance designs france work shift architectural focus reflected changing political alliances formed close alliance france reign words architectural historian results earliest examples coherent renaissance design britain changes included shifts social cultural beliefs period saw older feudal order destruction monasteries widespread economic changes altering links castles surrounding estates castles renaissance saw introduction idea public private spaces placing new value castles having private spaces lord guests away public view elite britain ireland continued maintain build castles style late medieval period growing understanding renaissance absent 14th century domestic castles fundamentally different military fortifications built deal spread gunpowder artillery castles continued built reworked cultural historian described conscious attempt values seen threat results castle example include huge castles deliberately redesigned appear old sporting features complete private chambers italian modern luxury accommodation size noble households slightly 16th century number guests largest castle events continued grow came feast castle duke buckingham routinely entertained people castle start 16th century elizabeth visited brought entourage barons staff visit lasted exceptional days leicester castle owner entertained queen neighbouring region fireworks bear mystery plays hunting lavish scale living entertainment need find space older castles major issue england scotland tower houses tower houses common feature british irish castle building late medieval period constructed ireland scotland england tower house typically tall square stone built building scottish tower houses surrounded walled courtyard designed hold valuable animals necessarily intended defence buildings guarded like doors metal bars smaller versions tower houses northern england southern scotland known towers houses built sides border regions scotland number built scottish towns originally argued irish tower houses based scottish design pattern development castles ireland support hypothesis defences tower houses primarily aimed provide protection smaller raiding parties intended significant opposition organised military assault leading historian defensive heavier guns built scottish tower houses 16th century common use lighter gunpowder weapons muskets defend scottish tower houses unlike scotland irish tower houses defended relatively light frequently reused older modern designs save money analysis construction tower houses focused key driving forces construction castles appears linked periods instability areas concerned scotland isles led immediate burst castle building region longer term increased degree clan warfare subsequent wars england added level rest century irish tower houses built end 14th century onward countryside unstable control large number small promoted construction financial rewards bid improve security english tower houses built frontier scotland dangerous insecure period secondly appears periods relative prosperity contemporary historian observed northern english scots man better sort little tower pile tower houses built status symbols defensive structures english scottish borders construction pattern follows relative prosperity different english lords built tower houses primarily early 15th century northern england particularly prosperous scottish built late 15th early 16th centuries boom periods economy scotland ireland growth tower houses 15th century mirrors rise cattle resulting wealth brought lesser lords ireland development gunpowder artillery cannons continued improved 15th 16th centuries castle adapted allow cannons firearms defensive role gunpowder weapons remained relatively unreliable england europe adapting new form warfare built defend cover designed defend harbour english castles designed continental style period cutting edge european design scottish castles advanced regard partially result stronger french architectural influences scotland example early attempt deploy combination letter box gun ports low curved stone towers artillery weapons letter box gun ports common mainland europe rapidly spread scotland rarely england 15th century scotland led way adopting new design castle ditches constructed castle henry_viii concerned threat french invasion familiar modern continental designs responded threat building famous sequence forts called device forts south coast england specifically designed equipped defend gunpowder artillery forts lacked modern continental features angled fort slightly different design group shared common features fortification formed number compact shape designed guns degree angle fire forts usually allow guns fire features disperse gunpowder smoke probable forts originally protected earth survived resulting forts described historian having air like wedding cake coastal defences marked shift away castles military fortifications domestic buildings forts garrisoned domestic chosen transition date study castles consequence subsequent years marked end indigenous english fortification design english castle improvements entirely dominated imported european experts superiority scottish castle design diminished battery built edinburgh castle example badly dated continental terms time built limited number modern fortifications built ireland castle harbour built fear invasion equally european standards nonetheless improved gunpowder artillery played ireland successful english siege demonstrated power new siege guns relatively guns ireland years war end century irish proved relatively siege warfare artillery mainly english ireland scotland challenge transport artillery pieces castle poor state scottish roads required expensive trains pack horses king afford ireland river network frequently transport weapons inland circumstances older castles frequently remain viable defensive features siege castle attack castle proved artillery brought bear previously castle walls fall relatively quickly 17th century wars kingdoms scotland inherited crown england bringing period peace countries royal court left london result exceptions occasional visits building work royal castles north border largely ceased investment english castles especially royal castles declined dramatically james sold royal castles england property developers including york southampton castle royal inspection highlighted castles including decayed subsequent inspection english counties found similar picture lincoln nottingham bristol southampton rochester state pamphlet described english castles decayed requiring provision defence maintained private homes berkeley winchester better condition necessarily conflict redesigned modern dwellings style handful coastal forts castles dover castle remained good military condition adequate defences english civil war broke initially supporters parliament royalist supporters war expanded include ireland scotland dragged separate conflicts england war prolonged conflict britain involve use artillery gunpowder english castles purposes conflict formed key city defences military governor rural castles bases raiding control surrounding countryside larger castles windsor holding prisoners war military headquarters war castles frequently brought fresh use existing defences renovated walls backed earth order protect cannons towers keeps filled earth gun platforms new earth added existing designs cambridge surrounding norman brought commission costs considerable work castle coming prominent war occurring period involving castles suggests military role castles seventeenth century proportion medieval histories artillery formed essential characteristic military action according military historian attack fortified supported artillery ratio artillery pieces defenders varied considerably cases guns previous conflicts artillery piece defenders unknown extreme cases near castle growth number size siege artillery favoured resources purchase deploy weapons artillery improved decisive lighter cannon period found hard penetrate earth timber defences demonstrated siege mortars able fire taller walls proved particularly effective castles particular compact ones smaller open areas castle heavy artillery introduced england eventually spread rest british isles thousand irish soldiers served europe returned war bringing experience siege warfare thirty years war europe arrival train siege guns transformed conflict fate local castles irish castles withstand parliamentary weapons quickly surrendered invaded scotland heavily artillery proved decisive restoration english civil war resulted parliament issuing orders slight damage castles particularly prominent royal regions particularly period peak fortifications period including town walls great castles expensive took considerable effort carry damage usually cost effective fashion selected walls destroyed cases damage total involved major case request wished avoid conflict time charles_ii restored throne major palace fortresses england survived typically poor state historian described shifting functional requirements patterns movement modes transport aesthetic taste standards comfort royal circles changing qualities sought successful castle architecture growing popularity sat typical design medieval castle furthermore fashionable french court time required substantial number rooms order satisfy court protocol impractical fit rooms older buildings shortage funds curtailed charles_ii attempts remaining castles redesign windsor fully completed restoration years castles retained defensive role castles england repaired garrisoned king military technologies progressed costs upgrading older castles estimated required potential conversion york approximately terms gives scale potential costs castles played minimal role glorious revolution fortifications dover castle attacked unhappy religious beliefs catholic governors king john castle formed war ireland north britain security problems persisted scotland forces built number new modern forts barracks royal castles edinburgh continued use practical fortifications tower houses built restoration fortified tower house fell fashion weak state scottish economy larger properties simply abandoned modest castles continued adapted houses rebuilt ireland tower houses castles remained use glorious revolution events led dramatic shift land ownership boom building country houses cases stripped older abandoned generation castles tower houses 18th century military governmental use castles britain ireland continued modest military utility 18th century sequence threatened crown scotland culminating rebellion royal castles maintained period english border defences like forming internal security measures scotland like able withstand attack taken siege end rebellion final castle siege occur british isles aftermath conflict castles barracks forces sent garrison highlands castles holding prisoners war napoleonic wars end century equipped case popular uprising revolutionary period ireland rebuilt following fire reaffirmed centre british administrative military power castles remained use county run effectively private businesses frequently involved gatehouse maintained main prison building cambridge lancaster newcastle prison reformer conducted famous survey prisons culminating work state prisons documented poor quality castle facilities prisoners lived dungeon floor frequently covered inch water oxford close offensive worcester subject fever castle surgeon enter prison gloucester extreme howard work caused shift public opinion use older castle facilities social cultural use middle century medieval ruined castles fashionable considered interesting conventional classical architecture way giving degree medieval new owners suggests ideal image castle included broken soft decayed rough appearance cases countryside surrounding existing castles highlight ruins castle capability brown reworking castle alternatively ruins repaired reinforced present suitable appearance castle cases castle reused bases dramatic alternatively entirely new castle created scratch original stonework occurred building tower parts time castles tourist attractions time windsor castle early tourist attraction visitors afford pay castle keeper enter castle horn buy followed later editions following coming decades visitors beginning progress far attractive female guide escorted tourists ruins popular tour scotland blair castle popular attraction account gardens romantic connections appealed visitors especially artists irish castles proved popular partially contemporary tourists regarded country somewhat backward ruins failed provide necessary romantic contrast modern life appreciation castles developed century progressed concept picturesque ruin english clergyman published works journeys britain concept correctly picturesque landscape landscape argued usually required building castle ruin add consequence natural picture paintings style usually portrayed castles indistinct coloured objects distance writing picturesque account detail favour bold impressions sense ruins particularly appealed followers preserved contrast artistic work end century stopping short genuine detailed precise provide substantial base architectural fine detail medieval castle features enabled work architects 19th century military governmental use military utility remaining castles britain ireland continued diminish castles regimental depots including castle equipped order provide coastal defences end napoleonic period political instability major issue early 19th century popularity movement led proposals tower london event civil unrest ireland played increasing role ireland pressures independence grew century operation local prisons locations castles criticised work pressure reform continued grow 1850s 1860s reform legislation surrounding bankruptcy debt largely removed threat imprisonment unpaid debts process eliminated purpose prisons castles efforts conditions local prisons success failures led prison reform british prisons including prisons castles like york compensation paid owners cases york facilities considered poor require complete reconstruction payment denied short term led reduction number prisons england including famous castle prisons coming years changes prison design led closure remaining castle prisons social cultural use castles saw increased visitors tourists helped better transport links growth railways tower london opened tourists visitors year numbers grown year attractions castle received visitors travelling growing industrial towns nearby victorian tourists recorded charged ruins castle spread railway system wales marches strongly influenced flow tourists region castles scotland tourist tours increasingly popular 19th century usually starting edinburgh complete spending weeks north taking advantage expanding rail steamer network remained popular additional castles joined circuit popular railway line reached north purchasing reading increasingly important visiting castles 1820s visitors buy early outlining castle history tower london published scottish castle known providing long historical accounts sites drawing plots romantic novels details sir historical novels helped establish popular victorian image gothic medieval castle scott novels set scotland northern castles including featured histories ireland began stress role castles rise british values ireland tourism remained limited response popularity commissioning construction replica castles particularly popular beginning 19th century later victorian period design published offering details recreate appearance original gothic castles new build leading work fake norman castle imitation castle later built welsh 1880s fantasy gothic construction replica built late response improve existing castles bringing chaotic historic features line integrated architectural aesthetic style termed gothic numerous attempts restore rebuild castles produce consistently gothic style informed genuine medieval details movement architect particularly prominent illustrated reworking windsor castle similar trend seen renovated older castle produce authentic design heavily influenced work french architect north border resulted distinctive style scots style architecture took french traditional medieval scottish features baroque style style proved popular ireland 1850s example forming good example fashion gothic architects frequently improved existing castles floors castle transformed added grand turrets similar way 16th century tower house castle turned victorian ideal medieval house style spread south famous architect added scots touch work windsor pace change concerns begun grow middle century threat medieval buildings britain established result public pressure passing act provisions act focused prehistoric structures medieval buildings castles leaving legal protection 20th 21st century half century castles maintained brought military use irish war remained centre british administration military intelligence operations ireland transfer power castle second world war tower london hold execute suspected spies briefly adolf_hitler deputy prisoner war facility stripped delicate royal treasures guard british royal family dangers blitz coastal castles support naval operations dover castle medieval fortifications basis defences castle scotland support royal_navy castle ireland coastal defence base castles cambridge brought local defence plans case german invasion handful castles retained military role war dover nuclear war command centre 1950s nato turn 21st century strong cultural interest british castles persisted 20th century cases destructive consequences wealthy collectors bought removed architectural features historical artefacts castles collections practice produced significant official concern significant cases included castle bought decorated numerous medieval buildings removed original sites britain case parts castle sold sent buyers united_states partially result events increasing legal powers introduced protect castles acts parliament widened terms earlier legislation national monuments allow inclusion castles act parliament introduced preservation orders time powers extended similarly end irish civil war new irish state took early action extend strengthen previous british legislation protect irish national monuments beginning century number major restoration projects british castles outbreak world war work undertaken end war major state funded restoration projects occurred 1920s largest work typically centred cutting vegetation castle ruins especially ivy removing damaged unstable stonework castles saw cleaned castles scotland substantially rebuilt inter war years early film industry took interest castles potential sets starting filmed castle starring leading actor 21st century second world war picturesque ruins castles conservation preference restore castles produce described cared fabric neat highly regulated visitor friendly environment reconstruction reproduction original appearance castles discouraged result stonework walls today castles tourist attractions usually better condition case medieval period preserving broader landscapes past rose importance reflected decision programme internationally recognise british castles including durham tower london special international cultural significance 1980s single largest group english castles owned english_heritage created increasingly acquired castle properties england 1950s second largest single owner followed english local authorities finally small number private owners royal castles tower london windsor owned behalf nation similar organisations exist scotland established ireland created working alongside maintain castles sites new organisations emerged recent years manage castles restored number castles britain ireland decades castles remain highly popular attractions nearly million people visited tower london million visited visited visited dover castle ireland years exploited tourist potential castle heritage began encourage tourists 1960s 1970s irish castles core irish tourist industry british irish castles today closely linked international film industry tourist visits castles involving simply visit historic site visit location popular film management handling britain historic castles times contentious castles late 20th early 21st century usually considered heritage industry historic sites events commercially presented visitor attractions academics way histories constantly culturally socially reconstructed condemned commercial sites tower london challenge manage historic properties required practical decisions end spectrum owners architects deal practical challenges repairing smaller decaying castles private houses castle damp proved considerable problem end scale fire windsor castle opened national debate burnt castle wing replaced degree modern designs introduced pay million costs million terms speculative commercial reconstruction castle gardens style led vigorous academic debate interpretation archaeological historical evidence trends conservation altered contrast prevailing post war approach conservation recent work castles acquired english_heritage attempted degree intervention site historiography earliest histories british irish castles recorded albeit somewhat fragmented fashion 16th century 19th century historical analysis castles popular victorian historians concluded british castles built purposes military defence believed history pre conquest concluding countryside built romans study castles historians archaeologists developed considerably 20th century century historian archaeologist published ground breaking book arguing convincingly british castles fact norman introduction historian published year charting course military development english castles middle ages began document country castles unprecedented scale providing additional resource historical analysis second world war historical analysis british castles dominated academics use growing archaeological evidence 1940s saw increasing number excavations bailey castles number castle excavations went double 1960s increasing number castle sites threat urban areas public scandal surrounding development castle site london contributed reforms funding rescue despite number castle excavations fell archaeological work focusing conducting excavations greater number small scale fewer large scale sites study british castles remained primarily focused military role drawing evolutionary model improvements suggested thompson earlier century 1990s wide reaching interpretation british castles took place vigorous academic discussion history meanings began debate concluded features castles previously seen primarily military nature fact constructed reasons status political power historian described older norman driving force formation britain castles replaced model power years characterised increasing number major publications castle studies examining social political aspects fortifications role historical landscape perspective remains dominant theme academic literature today
Castles in Great Britain and Ireland