Explains why and how castles were built in the middle ages and why they were such a dominant influence on medieval life, especially in times of war. Recreates in vivid detail a complete picture of daily life in a medieval castle: how the nobles and peasants lived; how men fought in tournaments and trained in combat; how castles were sited, designed, managed, attacked, and defended; and what the people who lived in them ate, drank, and wore.