Types of Castle and The History of Castles
Castles Around The World
Here we look at castles around the world. Although they might look very different, they share many features and have followed the same broad developments, for example replacing wood with stone, and adapting to the use of gunpowder.
Partly this similarity is attributable to the fact that they share the same functions, which are
- to provide a defensible stronghold
- to provide a strategic point of control
- to act as a barracks for troops
- to privide a centre of government
- to provide a comfortable home for a feudal lord and his extended family
In the photographs below you can identify many features that filfil these five functions:
Europe
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Asia
Japan
More on Types of Castle and History of Castles
Click on any of the following links to learn more about specific types of castle
- Ancient Castles: The basics of attack and defence
- Castles Around the world
- Motte & Bailey Castles European castles around 1000 AD
- Norman Castles The first significant European castles with stone keeps.
- Crusader Castles & Concentric Castles Evolution of design due to lessons learned in the Levant.
- Cathar Castles Distinctive hilltop castles of the Languedoc
- Japanese Castles
- Town Fortifications - Defensible villages and towns
- Fortified
Houses Defensible Manors and other defensible houses.
- Tower Houses Defensible Towers.
- Peel Towers Defensible Towers in the Scottish Borders.
- Bastle Houses Defensible Scottish Houses.
- Irish Fortified Houses Defensible Irish houses.
- Defensible Manor Houses Defensible English houses.
- Star Forts Castle design affected by the rising power of fire arms and the innovations of de Vauban
- Stately Homes - New Great Country Houses
- Palaces - Around the world
- Romantic & Decorative Castles. Looking like romanticised castles and built for comfort, notably:
- Manors
- Town Houses
