Somerset Fry - Best castles: England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales: over 100 castles to discover and explore

BEST

CASTLES

ENGLAND SCOTLAND IRELAND WALES

OVER 100 CASTLES TO
DISCOVER AND EXPLORE

Best Castles includes descriptions of more than a hundred castles in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. The definition of the word castle is generally taken to be a fortified military residence. In this respect they are considered to be different to their British precursors, hill forts, Roman forts and Saxon burhs, for example. All of these were military establishments but they were not usually also places to live in permanently. Some hill forts were undoubtedly lived in, but here the distinction is that they were communal in their purpose, whereas castles were built for, and owned by, one individual and his family and retainers, rather than the wider community. However, not all the castles described in this book fit into a neat category; they have been included to provide a fuller picture.

As well as describing the castles as architecture, in most cases background information is provided. Especially important or interesting castles are given more space and more background information. You might find that these castles are out of their true alphabetical order in the listings, but you can locate them by using the index. In order to help provide context, the book has a key dates and events list and a series of introductory features. There are also ten special features on such subjects as Life in Early Castles, Food and Drink, Weapons, and so forth, throughout the book. Finally, a glossary of architectural terms can be found at the end of the book.

A carefully chosen selection of the most historic, interesting and exciting castles is included in this book. For a more comprehensive gazetteer of castles see Castles (D&C, 2005) upon which this book is based. The publisher would be delighted to hear from readers who wish to provide more information or who think that other castles should be added.

Opening times and other useful information is included for the castles in this book, but please be aware that such information is subject to change, and therefore the publishers cannot accept responsibility if the information provided has changed. In as many cases as possible we have provided telephone numbers and website addresses, and visitors may wish to check details before planning a visit. In addition, full contact information for organizations such as the National Trust, English Heritage, Historic Scotland, Cadw and the Office of Public Works is included.

By their nature, castles often have areas where visitors especially those with children should exercise caution and the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any accident or other event as a result of using this book.

If the castle is in the village or town that has its name the location information is limited to its county or statutory area (see map). If it is in a very small settlement, or in the countryside, the nearest village or town is named.

Every entry is provided with a national grid map reference. All reputable large-scale maps especially those from the Ordnance Survey organizations of Britain and Ireland include the grid, and accurate locations can be plotted.

C astles are a product of their times, and of the dominant personalities of those times. For much of British and Irish history, it is the monarch who is the most important single influence on events for good or ill. By their nature, castles date from times of war, insecurity and danger. As peace and security become the norm, castles are either abandoned or adapted for more peaceful times.

The key events set out below are intended to help put castles into their historical context. Included are dates and events from English, Scottish, Welsh and Irish history, but this is not intended to be a full summary of the history of the four countries, and there are fewer events as castles decline in importance. The list includes English, Scottish and some Irish kings, and the early Welsh princes; their years as monarchs are in bold.

Key

England

Scotland

Wales

Ireland

ad Roman conquest of Britain

St Patrick arrives in Ireland

871899Alfred the Great

10021014Brian Br

10391063Gruffydd ap Llywelyn ap Seisyll

10421066Edward (the Confessor)

10581093Malcolm III

10631075Bleddyn ap Cynfyn

1066Harold II

1066 September Battle of Stamford Bridge

1066 September William the Conqueror lands in Britain

1066 October Battle of Hastings

10661087William I

1067 Chepstow Castle