Brown R. Allen. Castles from the Air

Cambridge University Press 1989. — 264 p.Castles from the Air uses the unique perspective of aerial photography to reveal the medieval castles of Britain in their landscape setting.
An illustrated introduction outlines the social and historical context that gave birth to the castle, its dual function as fortress and lordly residence, and its essential architectural structure. Allen Brown then offers a series of illuminating commentaries on 120 individual sites the length and breadth of England and Wales. Many of these, like the massive masonry castles of Edward I in north Wales, or the Tower of London, are preserved for public display and familiar to thousands of visitors. Others, such as the earth and timber castles at Hen Domen, Montgomery, or Thetford in Norfolk, equally fascinating in context, remain little known except to specialists.
Professor Brown's lifetime affection for the subject was well known, his knowledge unrivalled. The result is a book both personal and well informed that will attract anyone interested in archaeology, landscape history, or medieval life in general.