De Re Militari | Book Reviews
Lise Hull
Understanding the Castle Ruins of England and Wales
(Jefferson, NC and London: McFarland & Co., 2009). 228 pp. $49.95 USD. ISBN 978 0 7864 3457 2.
Castles are perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols of medieval Europe, especially to the non-specialist, and their lasting presence is a constant reminder of times long past. Hull, working on the premise that the remains of medieval castles are often mysterious and potentially difficult to interpret by most modern visitors, has endeavored to create a guidebook for illuminating the significance of castle ruins. Throughout the book, Hull appeals to the reader’s emotions, conveying the impression that a visit to a castle can be a full sensory and almost spiritual experience. Indeed, in her acknowledgements, Hull conveys the hope that her book will enhance one’s “castle experience, whether you are traveling by armchair or exploring in person, and that you too will discover that sense of awe and the true meaning of ruins.” (p. v)
The task Hull created for herself was multi-faceted and ambitious: a description of the different types and parts of castles, as well as their evolution and metamorphoses over time, a detailed discussion of the functions of the different castle components, an explanation of the people responsible for the construction of castles as well as those who lived and existed within them, an exploration of the role of the castle within its greater economic, political, social, and geographical contexts, and even a brief discussion of the efforts that have been made recently for the preservation of and promotion of visits to castles for the public. Consequently, the book has been divided into five main chapters that roughly investigate these distinct topics.
As a guidebook, the book is perhaps most successful. There are, peppered throughout the text, short admonitions and appeals to the reader to treat ruins with respect, as well as helpful suggestions for “reading” potentially overlooked or misunderstood clues in castle ruins that can enhance a visitor’s understanding of the remains. Hull’s work is not designed to be a scholarly work, and those who approach the book with this expectation will be disappointed. Hull does provide notes, though perhaps not as many as one would like, and the sources are largely general works on castles or historic trust publications on specific castles; there are few scholarly secondary works and even fewer primary sources listed in the bibliography. In contrast, Hull provides extensive terminology lists at the end of each chapter. The only criticism is that these separate lists might be more effective as a consolidated glossary at the end of the text, much like her appendix of all castles mentioned in the book.
Hull’s reverence for castles and their ruins is obvious, and she has included many of her own photographs of various castles. Despite the generally superb quality of the pictures, it becomes frustrating for the reader at times when no link is made between image and text, or when there is no image that provides a visual representation of what is being described. This is particularly true in much of the first three chapters, which are devoted to describing the development and physical appearance of castles, and which comprise approximately two-thirds of the text. Perhaps labeled diagrams of individual castles would better illustrate Hull’s descriptions than simply photographs; if anything, such diagrams would provide a good complement to the existing images.
The decision to organize the book topically makes sense when recalling Hull’s objective in producing a guide for understanding castle ruins; however, this creates other organizational problems with the text, especially in terms of chronology. While Hull’s great knowledge about the history of numerous castles is certainly an asset, the fact that she often incorporates information spanning many centuries about a single castle before moving on to a different castle can cause the chapters to sound disjointed and jumpy. [1] Additionally, there is a fair bit of repetition, chiefly when utilizing the same castle as illustrations of different examples or anecdotes. Closer attention to the chronology of each chapter’s topic likely would have made for smoother reading, even in the first chapter where a chronological presentation seems to have been the overall intent. The chapter that suffers most from organizational issues is the fifth and final chapter. Although it begins as perhaps the most earnest manual for “the castle experience,” with advice about proper clothing, helpful maps for locating castles off the beaten track, and even the attitude with which to approach a castle ruin, the chapter quickly loses its focus, touching upon such disparate topics as viewing the castle in its geographic context, the history and development of the town walls near surviving castles, understanding what may or may not have survived the ravages of time, and a lengthy history of historic site preservation in Britain.
Somewhat troubling is the fact that there are some factual errors that should have been caught by good editing. King John is referred to as Henry II’s brother in one case (it seems the author meant Richard, not Henry; p. 53), and later on, Richard II is incorrectly called “the Lionhearted” (p. 75).
Overall, Hull’s book certainly helps to bridge the distance between a strict history of specific castles in Britain that places them into their political context, a description of the types, general elements, and purposes of medieval castles in general, and a practical handbook for the visitor to such sites. Perhaps the manner in which these components were combined is not ideal, nor the organization as “user-friendly” as intended, but Hull’s book undoubtedly will find an eager if unscholarly audience grateful and appreciative that she has offered her suggestions, expertise, and background on the topic of castle ruins.
Notes
[1] Hull pays special attention to narrating the plight of many castles which played a part in or which were affected by the English Civil War.