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Author
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Topic: The Dating of Medieval Military Architecture
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Philip Davis
unregistered
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posted 01-23-2000 07:41 AM
I've just read a fascinating essay by Paul Martin Remfry online at http://www.castlewales.com/med_arch.html . He suggests that the round keep tower may have been more common in the twelth century than previously thought. Interestingly he also suggests that some motte and bailey castles may well be collapsed stone round tower and bailey castles and that stone castles may be more common than current records suggest.------------------
Neurotics build castles in the air, psychotics live in them, Psychiatrists charge the rent, art therapists do the interior design and nurses clean out the garderobes!
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wurdsmiff
unregistered
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posted 01-23-2000 08:11 AM
Excellent, all serving to remind us of the inadequacy of generalisation. We are fond nowadays of resurrecting old architectural styles and reflecting them in new builds, hence the enthusiasm of some of the members for building their own castles. Why should it not be the case that this was done by our ancestors if an earlier design was deemed the most suitable for that site. Each site should be examined on it's own merits and too often nowadays when there isn't the time or the finance, datings are based on the proven facts at one or two other sites. Comparisons are made and assumptions retold in authorative ways and adopted as fact.
One outstanding example from Scotland, is the acceptance that motte and bailey castles were built by the incoming Norman lords of the 11th and 12th centuries. By the 13th century they were so well established that they were replacing their earthen mottes with stone castles. But at Mote, Roberton in Clydesdale, the motte generally attributed to Robert the Fleming in the 12th century, gave up pottery of the 14th century from the ground below when excavated.
The theory now is that this rapidly built and defendable structure was built by Mary of Stirling, who had been ejected fromn her own estate when opposing the David 2nd (Bruce) faction in support of the return of Edward Balliol. She is thought to have settled in this remote area and to have built the motte as a base for her supporters. The lady made her peace and regained her estates, but it makes me wonder if not all mottes have been excavated, how sure are we that they were built as early as we commonly assume? ------------------
'Give me the groves that lofty brave,
The storms, by Castle Gordon'.
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