Forget knights in shining armor for a moment. This book is about their house—specifically, how to build it so it doesn't get smashed by a giant catapult. Military Architecture in England During the Middle Ages isn't a story about people, but about the stone-and-mortar solutions they created to survive.

The Story

Thompson takes us on a chronological tour of England's defenses, from the Norman Conquest in 1066 to the end of the medieval period. He shows how castle design was a direct response to military threats. Early, simple wooden forts gave way to massive stone keeps. Then, as siege weapons improved, castle walls got thicker, towers became round (to deflect projectiles), and gatehouses turned into deadly, multi-layered traps. The book is a clear guide to this evolution, using specific castles as examples to illustrate each major innovation.

Why You Should Read It

What I love is how this book changes the way you see things. The next time you visit a castle ruin, you won't just see old rocks. You'll see the strategic reason for a spiral staircase turning a certain way (to hinder right-handed attackers), or you'll recognize the murder holes above a gateway. Thompson gives you the blueprint to understand the logic in the chaos. It turns a pile of history into a brilliant piece of problem-solving.

Final Verdict

Perfect for history buffs, architecture nerds, or anyone who's ever walked around a castle and thought, 'Why did they build it like *this*?' It's not a light read, but it's a rewarding one. If you want to move beyond the fairy-tale version of castles and understand the serious, clever engineering behind them, this is your essential guide. Keep it in your car for your next castle-hopping road trip!