by Richard Israel.
Softcover (7.0×9.8 inches). 181 pages. 2026.
Subtitle: The Medieval Castles of the Welsh Marches to the British Civil Wars of 1642-1646 and 1648
Seven English Civil War sieges of medieval castles in Wales (Hopton, Beeston, two of Chepstow, Goodrich, Danbigh, and Raglan) receive considerable profiles of their architecture, including measurements, and the sieges that roiled around them. Much is explained how medieval fortifications coped — or not — with cannons, including defensive measures that would occasionally stymie the siegers long enough for a relief force to threaten to arrive.
Most of these sieges were successful for a variety of reasons: hunger starved out the garrison, mortars rained destruction over the walls, mining undermined wall sections, and sometimes even the threat of more artillery firing. But mostly, medieval fortifications were not designed to stand up to artillery.
The book contains 60 black and white photos, one black and white map, and 14 black and white illustrations. For modelers, the overhead maps of the fortifications, along with measurements in the text, may often aid you in building a tabletop version. Don’t forget to make rubbled wall sections.
Now, these castles were in or near Wales, but the principles likely apply to most other medieval castles in England. The dawn of cannon started in the 14th century, but by the 17th century, artillery was a mature technology and often devastating when lined up against medieval defensive technology. An interesting read about the clash between time periods.
Enjoyed it.
— Reviewed by Russ Lockwood
