The Historical Atlas of Knights & Castles

About this book: Published in 2007 by Cartographica Press Ltd, London and written by Dr. Ian Barnes, this 400 page book ‘The Historical Atlas of Knights and Castles’ contains over 140 stunning, high-quality maps and illustrations and brings the subject to life, revealing all aspects of knights and castles, mapping the spread of the Norman influence, the crusades and other important battles, the layout and location of major castles, and much more. From the end of the Roman Empire, the knight emerged to rule the battlefield for almost 1000 years. Only in the early 1500s, with the development of firearms, did the knight cease to play such a central military role. But despite being extinct for around 500 years, the legacy of the knight survives to this day. The idea of chivalry, which was so central to the concept of knighthood, lives on; the honour of knighthood still exists in military orders; and the tradition of bravery and sacrifice are still held in high regard in the 21st Century. In addition to the enduring principles of knighthood, we have also inherited a stunning architectural legacy from the knights of past centuries, with castles surviving in fields, villages and cities throughout Europe. The book examines the distinct legacy of the knight, focusing on knighthood in its military and romantic modes and looking at the concept of chivalry as an ideal but seldom-attained state. It also details the castle, explaining how and why they were built. It looks at their construction and demonstrates how designs became more intricate over the centuries. Castle life is examined in detail, focusing on the social fabric and hierarchy, work, entertainment, food production and the castle town. The role of religion and monasticism in castles is also explored. Many of the major castles are visited and mapped, giving a real insight into the role they played in centuries gone by, starting with the origins of knighthood in the defence of a Europe no longer protected by Rome