In the Middle Ages the castle was an important military and
administrative center, essentially utilitarian in its design and in the
purposes it served. Because it played so central a role in medieval
history, and because the wealth of material is so great, the author has
concentrated on English seiges undertaken in the period from the Norman
Conquest to the War of the Roses. This includes many dramatic actions
fought on the continental dominions of the English Crown such as Chateau
Gaillard and Rouen. Drawing from contemporary records and his own
inspection of sites, Philip Warner's narrative explores the skills of
the architect, the engineer and the miner, as well as the courage of
troops and their commanders.