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Castles

The Decline and Fall

These Edwardian type castles continued to exist and indeed to be built with slight refinements through the early part of the fourteenth century. They were very large and, provided that they were in a suitable location, were generally quite secure against the latest anti-castle technology and techniques.

Although I have reserved any detailed mention of attack weapons and techniques for another section, one such weapon must be referred to here; namely Gunpowder!  This introduced a totally new concept towards castles and fortified buildings generally.

A castle afforded only very temporary resistance to an attacker armed with cannon. As a fortified house for a nobleman and a base for his garrison they were still effective. But as a place to retreat to in total security, against a strong and determined enemy, well they no longer worked.

No further castles were built although the existing ones continued to be used as houses for centuries after that; but less and less as time went by. From the sixteenth century the nobility much preferred the comfort and luxury offered by palaces and country houses.

Castles were a principal feature of medieval warfare and society, as well as featuring in many historical legends and myths which emanated from England and Europe generally. Take a look at this section to learn the outline of how and why the idea of the castle originated and evolved.