With over 140 stunning, high quality maps, plans, and illustrations, this book brings the subject to life, revealing all aspects of knights and castles, mapping the spread of the Norman influence, the crusades and other important battles, the layout and location of major castles, and much more. The book examines the distinct legacy of the knight, focusing on knighthood in its military and romantic modes and looking at the concept of chivalry as an ideal but seldom attained state. It also details the castle, explaining how and why they were built. It looks at their construction and demonstrates how designs became more intricate over the centuries. Castle life is examined in detail, focusing on the social fabric and hierarchy, work, entertainment, food production, and the castle town. The role of religion and monasticism in castles is also explored. Many of the major castles are visited and mapped, giving a real insight into the role they played in centuries gone by.