A Knight and His Castle

by Ewart Oakeshott

Do you know why the circular stairs in castles ascended clockwise? Have you ever wondered where the toilets were, or how they worked? Do you know what the best way to attack a castle was? Can you guess why hundreds of pigs would be slaughtered in order to conquer a castle? Ewart Oakeshott knows, and you will too when you finish this book. He is the foremost authority on Medieval weaponry, and in this book he provides a lively and informative history of Europe's castles. Superbly illustrated by the author, he traces the design, building, and defense of castles throughout the Middle Ages, and explores the castle armory, daily life, the training of boys to become knights (including their lessons in both the arts of warfare and courtly behavior), sieges, and favorite pastimes such as hunting and hawking. "This delightful little work does admirably what it sets out to do..So well done that it deserves a place in the library purely as an elementary work of reference." -School Librarian

Genres: History, Nonfiction, War

126 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1976

Reviews

[J O'Toole · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're wondering how to write a history non-fiction which is almost impossible to put down, then Ewart Oakeshott's books are masterclasses. They're not the 700 page tomes that some books on these subjects are, but they'll give you the grounding and knowledge to talk like a pro about medieval history.

These books are for 'older readers', which I assume to mean young to late teenagers, but if you are ignorant to this era in history these (and I mean all his short books) are possibly the most exciting starting point. If you visit a castle, for example Rochester Castle, or Caerphilly, or Corfe, you will be able to locate and identify the exact locations and structures he talks of in this book. You'll be able to name the people who created and/or changed these buildings, attacked them and extended them. You'll be able to work out the access and exits, where page training took place, who would be in the great hall (and where it was), and just how busy it would have been on a daily basis.

I've read and seen a lot of medieval history and castles, but this book still had me going, oooohh, that's how that worked! and it is priceless for novel research, I tell you.

If you want to see pure passion in words, Oakeshott's books should certainly be your next read. Next please!

[Mary's Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

'A Knight and His Castle' is one of a series of books written by Ewart Oakeshott that illustrated and explained the life of a knight and the weapons that he used. I came across a reference in another book and ordered this one to start.
This book is not aimed at children, but it can certainly be read by a bright young person who is interested in the Middle Ages. Most of the references are to English castles and knights in the 13th and 14th centuries. The writing is clear and concise, presenting the living conditions and training for the noble class. Very little mention is made of the lower classes who also occupied castles. The illustrations used are excellent line drawings.
Mr. Oakeshott was an expert on swords and other military weapons. He does not glamorize them but explains clearly how they are used in tournaments and warfare.
Recommended for anyone interested in the lives of medieval warfare.