Norman Stone Castles (2)

A companion to Fortress 13: Norman Stone Castles (1) The British Isles 1066-1216, this is a detailed guide to the castles built in Normandy, Southern Italy and Sicily, covering defensive principles, daily life, the events of siege warfare, and the fate of the castles.

Featuring some of the most distinctive castles of Europe, including Chateau Gaillard, this book covers in detail the events and aftermath of the First Crusade and the foundation of the Crusader states and castles.Following their settlement in the north of France, the Normans sought to consolidate their territorial gains in what was to become known as Normandy. They did this by building a series of castles and fortifications. Duke William's desire to hold down his lords, and his efforts to crush opposition to his minority also led to a number of famous sieges at castles such as Brionne, Arques and Alencon. This book discusses the Norman castles in Normandy, as well as in the Mediterranean, where at Melfi and Ademo in Italy and Sicily, Sahyun and Bagras in the Principality of Antioch they also left their mark.