Get ready to become an instant expert on the castles of England. It's amazing to think that there are approximately 4,000 castles of one sort or another dotted about England. But how much do we really know about them, how they evolved through history, what their features were designed for and what life was like inside them? This concise illustrated guide is designed to answer exactly those questions, telling the fascinating story of England's castles and their role in history. Using his own drawings, diagrams and photographs, author Trevor Yorke explains, in an easy-to-understand manner, how the role of the castle changed from fortress to palatial home, and illustrates how the ruined buildings were used in the past. The book is divided into three sections: Section I charts the castle's origins and traces its development through history. Section II looks at the individual parts of a castle, from military features such as the portcullis and drawbridge to the domestic quarters, great halls and tournament sites. Section III contains a time chart for dating castles, a glossary of unfamiliar terms and a list of castles to visit. Along the way you'll take a look inside some of the country's most famous castles, so you can place them in a historical context and understand their significance. For anyone wishing to continue their exploration of the subject, at the end of the book you'll find a list of castles in England to visit. WHY YOU'LL LOVE IT: • The perfect introductory guide on this subject - exhaustively researched & packed with info, but easy and fun to read, and accessible to all • Packed with detailed illustrations & photos that help bring the subjective vividly to life • Practical & useful - great to have with you if you like visiting castles and National Trust properties • Includes a useful list of all the best castles to visit - many of which are featured earlier in the book