Medieval castles were incredible feats of construction designed for military efficiency. This book tells the story of how they were built and the unique features incorporated into them for added defence.A castle was more than a building to attack and defend. It was a whole community designed to be self-sufficient in times of siege. As well as the lord and lady we see into the lives of other castle residents including the squires training for knighthood the jesters who entertained at banquets and the many others involved in daily chores such as cooking repairing masonry and woodwork and making clothes. Written by Christopher Gravett of the Royal Armouries at the Tower of London Castle provides a fascinating fly-on-the wall look at war and peace in the medieval period.