To what extent did the castle change the nature of warfare in the eleventh and twelfth centuries?

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Birth of Europe 500-1200

To what extent did the castle change the nature of warfare in the eleventh and twelfth centuries?

        The period in the eleventh and twelfth centuries saw extensive developments in the construction of fortifications and in warfare overall. A castle or fortification was not only of strategical importance, and a properly fortified military residence but also provided a safe place in which shrines could be built, were places of refuge, and places for the lords to live. Most significantly a castle provided an impressive status symbol of the power and wealth of the lord who owned it. Initially castles were designed and built to hold down conquered territory and served to intimidate and strike fear into the local community. Castles were brought to Britain by William the Conqueror, when he invaded England in 1066. William took control of his kingdom by ordering the construction of motte and bailey castles throughout his New Kingdom. Indeed, warfare played a fundamental part in medieval society throughout the period. Wars were inclined to be fought for ‘plunder or for conquest.’ Above all, war was not only the concern of the great states with large budgets but also warfare of a different character took place including popular uprisings and private ventures led by professional knights.

With the appearance of castles in the eleventh and twelfth centuries we saw the emergence of the local power of the lord. Indeed, castle building and other defensive works had ‘its roots in fundamental social change.’ This was brought about by the military threat of marauders from the Viking, Magyar, and Saracen raids. Some historians such as T B Bisson in ‘past and present’ argue that the period of the eleventh and twelfth centuries saw a ‘feudal revolution,’ as there was a transformation of power from the political (maintenance of public order through public officials) to the non-political. From the transformation of power there was a crisis of authority as the lord came to run society through acts of violence to keep the order. The only way the king could command loyalty was in exchange for land tenure.

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In the period there were also improvements in the art of castle building and fortification. The normal form of a castle was a wooden building and stockade but these structures were vulnerable to fire and frail when under attack. For instance, Henry the first burnt down the castles of Brionne, Montfort-Sur-Risle and Pont-Audemer. Castles became the symbols of the wealth, status, and power of those who built them. As the number of castles and fortifications increased steadily a lord would find himself in an arms race with other lords nearby. For instance if they constructed a stone castle, so must ...

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