The Medieval Fortress

The period between 1100 and 1500 was a golden age for the building of defensive structures, an unrivalled era in the history of fortification. Castles forts, and walled cities abounded in Europe and, until the advent of gunpowder, were a prominent - often decisive - element in every conflicht of the Middle Ages. This comprehensive examination of military strongholds in the period describes the diverse keeps and barricades built throughout Europe and beyond, analyzes the origens and evolution of castles and other walled defenses, details the major components of such constructs, and offers the reasons for their eventual decline.

The authors explain how the military strategies and weapons used in the Middle Ages led to many modifications of these structures. They cover all of the representative types of forts and defenses built throughout the British Isles (including Ireland), France, Germany, Moorish Spain, and Italy - stretching as far east as Poland and Russia, and including Muslim and Crusader castles in the Middle East. The text is accompanied and enriched by numerous photographs as well as by the extraordinarily detailed technical drawings, plans and sketches by Robert M. Jurga.

The book is entirely written in English and is illustrated with HUNDREDS of photos, plans, drawings and maps. It is in VERY GOOD shape!