Castle History and Origins

Castles are usually considered to be the fortified private residences of a lords or nobles. Lord's home was usually a wooden structure, so the greatest threat to a lord's home was fire and the castle evolved from the practice of fortifying a lordly home. Read here about several courses of action that were available to keep an enemy at a distance over the last 900 years of castle history.

Neuschwanstein - Rectangular Tower under construction

History of Castles

History of castles reaches the very beginnings of the modern human civilization, and it stayed with us all until the arrival of the industrial revolution. Here you can read all about their origins, medieval expansion in Europe, Age of Crusades, impact of gunpowder, and their decline in after 18th century.

Bodiam Castle by Wilfrid Ball

Famous Castles by Time Period

Over the last 1000 years, landscape of Europe was changed significantly with the development of many modern castles. Check out which famous castles were created in what century.

Photo Bodiam Castle in Sussex

Uses of Castles in Warfare

One of the most important features of Castles is their ability to be used as an important military asset. Through their long history, their defensive and offensive capabilities were tested against latest weaponry, and here you can read more about them!

Neuschwanstein castle under construction 1886
Windsor Castle image by Joseph Nash
Warwick Castle by Canaletto