The Castles of Edward I in Wales 1277-1307

Description

In 1277 Edward I gathered a huge army and marched into Wales to subdue the rebel Welsh princes. A key part of his strategy was to erect a castle wherever his army rested. This title takes a detailed look at the design, development and principles of defence of these Welsh castles, documenting daily life within their walls and the historical events that took place around them. Focusing on key sites, it highlights the varied castle designs ranging from fortifications based on French models to the defences inspired by Constantinople, and is illustrated with eight pages of full-colour illustrations and cutaway artwork.

Christopher Gravett is a former Senior Curator at the Royal Armouries, Tower of London, and is a recognised authority on the arms, armour and warfare of the medieval world. He has worked as an advisor for numerous TV and film productions, and for Osprey has previously written Warrior 1: Norman Knight 950-1204 AD, Campaign 13: Hastings 1066, and two Fortress volumes on Norman Stone Castles, among others. He currently works as senior curator at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. Adam Hook studied graphic design, and began his work as an illustrator in 1983. He specializes in detailed historical reconstructions, and has illustrated Osprey titles on the Aztecs, the Greeks, several 19th century American subjects, and a number of books in the Fortress series. His work features in exhibitions and publications throughout the world.

"This book briefly describes the Welsh wars campaigns, and then surveys the castles built or improved by Edward. Further sections...describe life in the castles in peacetime and war... This excellent book on a fascinating subject will engross anyone with the least interest in fortifications before gunpowder." --Bolling Smith, The Coast Defense Journal (November 2007) "There are many excellent illustrations including plans, cutaways, and perspective views... This book is a worthy addition to the library of those interested in the development of castles." --Coastal Defense Fortifications "Overall it is an excellent addition to the Fortress series and a must read for students of the subject. I found it a fascinating read and I'm positive that you will as well." --Scott Van Aken, modelingmadness.com (July 2007) "Christopher Gravett's The Castles of Edward I in Wales 1277-1307 tells of a king's march into Wales to subdue the rebel Welsh princes - an unusal march in which the king had a castle erected wherever his army rested. The design, development and defense strategies of these castles is outlined in a fine book military libraries strong in strategic history will appreciate." --The Bookwatch (December 2007)