The archaeology of castle slighting in the Middle Ages
Medieval castle slighting is the phenomenon in which a high-status fortification is demolished in a time of conflict. At its heart are issues about symbolism, the role of castles in medieval society, and the politics of power. Although examples can be found throughout the Middle Ages (1066â1500) in England, Wales and Scotland there has been no systematic study of the archaeology of castle slighting. Understanding castle slighting enhances our view of medieval society and how it responded to power struggles. This study interrogates the archaeological record to establish the nature of castle slighting: establishing how prevalent it was chronologically and geographically; which parts of castles were most likely to be slighted and why this is significant; the effects on the immediate landscape; and the wider role of destruction in medieval society. The contribution of archaeology is especially important as contemporary records give little information about this phenomenon. Using information recovered from excavation and survey allows this thesis to challenge existing narratives about slighting, especially with reference to the civil war between Stephen and Matilda (1139â1154) and the view that slighting was
Nevell, Richard
archaeology ; medieval ; Middle Ages ; England ; Wales ; Scotland ; castles ; castle studies ; destruction ; medieval history
The archaeology of castle slighting in the Middle Ages. Medieval castle slighting is the phenomenon in which a high-status fortification is demolished in a time of conflict. At its heart are issues about symbolism, the role of castles in medieval society, and the politics of power. Although examples can be found throughout the Middle Ages (1066â1500) in England, Wales and Scotland there has been no systematic study of the archaeology of castle slighting. Understanding castle slighting enhances our view of medieval society and how it responded to power struggles. This study interrogates the archaeological record to establish the nature of castle slighting: establishing how prevalent it was chronologically and geographically; which parts of castles were most likely to be slighted and why this is significant; the effects on the immediate landscape; and the wider role of destruction in medieval society. The contribution of archaeology is especially important as contemporary records give little information about this phenomenon. Using information recovered from excavation and survey allows this thesis to challenge existing narratives about slighting, especially with reference to the civil war between Stephen and Matilda (1139â1154) and the view that slighting was
archaeology castle middle_ages medieval castle phenomenon high_status fortification demolish time conflict heart issue symbolism role castle medieval_society politics power although example find_throughout middle_ages england_wales scotland systematic_study archaeology castle castle enhances view medieval_society respond power_struggle study interrogate archaeological_record establish nature castle establish prevalent chronologically geographically part castle likely slight significant_effect immediate landscape wider role destruction medieval_society archaeology especially_important contemporary record give_little information phenomenon using information recover excavation_survey allow challenge_exist narrative slight especially reference civil_war view slight