THE CASTLE AT WAR
THE HISTORY OF BANBURY CASTLE IS EXPLORED FROM THE NORMAN CONQUEST, THROUGH THE RISE OF GUNPOWDER TO ITS FINAL DESTRUCTION IN 1648
“SPENCER’S ANALYSIS FOLLOWS A DIFFERENT PATH, BY FOCUSING ON CASTLES IN RELATION TO THEIR MILITARY HISTORY AND SPECIFIC CONFLICTS, TAKING AS ITS STARTING POINT THE NORMAN CONQUEST”
Author: Dan Spencer Publisher: Amberley Publishing Price: £20 Released: Out now
In 1648 the local authorities of Oxfordshire demolished Banbury Castle on the orders of a parliamentary committee. The purpose of this act of vandalism was to prevent the fortification falling into the hands of royalist forces during the height of the English Civil War. Since the outbreak of hostilities in 1642, it had twice been conquered and held by each of the opposing armies – by both supporters of Charles I and Oliver Cromwell’s parliamentarians.
Banbury was one of numerous castles to become the victim of destruction during the turbulent 1640s. To discourage future royalist rebellions, the process was accelerated following the end of the Second Civil War three years later. The rationale was that an enemy was rendered more vulnerable by denying him a stone and mortar sanctuary.
In his book, Dan Spencer explores the strategic role of the castle in warfare in England and Wales, as epitomised by the struggle for mastery of Banbury. The rise and fall of castles throughout the Middle Ages, along with the story of their architecture, is a well-trodden theme of numerous historical works. Spencer’s analysis follows a different path by focusing on castles in relation to their military history and specific conflicts, taking as its starting point the Norman conquest.
Spencer brings into the narrative illustrious military figures like William the Conqueror, King John and Edward
I, all of whom feature as builders and vanquishers of castles. Changes in military technology and weaponry are likewise traced, including the author’s speciality, the rise of gunpowder weapons. The book is enriched with in-depth research into contemporary historical chronicles and archaeological evidence.
Castles have played a crucial part in protecting England and Wales from foreign as well as domestic foes. As early as the 8th century, the Anglo-saxon system of fortified towns came as a response to the specific circumstances of the time. A devastating raid on the Northumbrian monastery at Lindisfarne in 793 was followed by many years of Viking attacks throughout the British Isles. King Alfred the Great’s success against the marauding Danes in 878 was achieved by devising a series of defensive fortifications throughout Wessex. These fortresses also made it possible to secure conquered territory in other parts of England. It was the Norman conquest that led to the development of fortified sites, starting with a castle at Pevensey and another at Hastings. These places provided safety for invaders in a hostile land.
Across the border, the long years of civil war in England gave the Welsh the opportunity to reassert themselves and drive back the Normans. By 1149, Madog of Maredudd, ruler of Powys, had expanded his power sufficiently to acquire Oswestry in Shropshire, where he erected a castle. The Welsh adapted to Norman warfare by making use of such fortifications, as well as destroying any they succeeded in capturing.
By the late 17th century, a few fortresses were garrisoned for coastal defence and some efforts were made to adapt castle defences in England’s wars with France in the 18th and early 19th centuries. However, in time they came to be regarded as the romantic ruins of a bygone age. That was until the Gothic revival and the writings of novelists like Sir Walter Scott rekindled public interest in castles and the development of the heritage industry that has helped to preserve these monuments of early warfare.