The Idea of the Castle in Medieval England

Abigail Wheatley

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English

York Medieval Press
16 July 2015

History of art: Byzantine & Medieval art; Castles & fortifications; Cultural studies

A new way of looking at the medieval castle - as a cultural reflection of the society that produced it, seen through art and literature.

Medieval castles have traditionally been explained as feats of military engineering and tools of feudal control, but Abigail Wheatley takes a different approach, looking at a range of sources usually neglected in castle studies. Evidence from contemporary literature and art reveals the castle's place at the heart of medieval culture, as an architecture of ideas every bit as sophisticated as the church architecture of the period.

This study offers a genuinely fresh perspective. Most castle scholars confine themselves to historical documents, but Wheatley examines literary and artistic evidence for its influence on and response to contemporary castle architecture. Sermons, sealsand ivory caskets, local legends and Roman ruins all have their part to play. What emerges is a fascinating web of cultural resonances: the castle is implicated in every aspect of medieval consciousness, from private religious contemplation to the creation of national mythologies. This book makes a compelling case for a new, interdisciplinary approach to castle studies.

ABIGAIL WHEATLEY gained her PhD at the Centre for Medieval Studies, University of York.

By: Abigail Wheatley
Imprint: York Medieval Press
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 234mm, Width: 156mm, Spine: 14mm
Weight: 294g
ISBN: 9781903153611
ISBN 10: 1903153611
Pages: 192
Publication Date: 16 July 2015
Audience: Professional and scholarly , Undergraduate
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Introduction The Idea of the Castle The Urban Castle The Spiritual Castle The Imperial Castle Conclusion Bibliography

Reviews for The Idea of the Castle in Medieval England

There has been a great deal of talk lately about enlarging the scope of castle studies. But few have achieved as much as Abigail Wheatley in this genuinely groundbreaking book. MEDIEVAL ARCHAEOLOGYBR> A powerful exposition of an invigorating approach to castle studies. (...) It is deeply researched, lucidly and convincingly written. CASEMATE