To this day, the remains of medieval castles dot the landscape of Europe. These mighty relics, many close to a thousand years old, are durable symbols of a long forgotten way of life. During the height of the Middle Ages, the castle was an integral part of the social system known as feudalism. Castles were of course used for defense, but also as storehouses, gathering places, and symbols of prestige. In Life in a Medieval Castle, historians Joseph and Frances Gies explore the world of the many people who lived in, maintained and depended on these remarkable structures. They also trace the evolution of the castle from its origins in the timber forts built by William the Conqueror to its inevitable demise, as defense technologies improved and other forms of architecture came into vogue. This remarkable book explains not only the castle itself as a building, but also the world that revolved around it. Frances and Joseph Gies have been writing books about medieval history for more than thirty years. Together and separately, they are the authors of more than twenty books, including Life in a Medieval City, Life in a Medieval Castle, Life in a Medieval Village, The Knight in History, and Cathedral, Forge, and Waterwheel. They live near Ann Arbor, Michigan. “The authors allow medieval man and woman to speak for themselves through selections from past journals, songs, even account books." — TIME | Life In A Medieval Castle by Joseph Gies, Paperback | Indigo Chapters