Exploring 400 years of history, this comprehensive guide details the magnificence of England's castles and forts, from the earliest Norman castles of the eleventh century, such as the White Tower at the Tower of London, through to coastal forts built by King Henry VIII, including Deal Castle in Kent. During those centuries more than 1,500 castles were built. Some are still inhabited, others stand in ruins--ravaged by war and time. This beautifully illustrated guide showcases how the fortress were built and used in their heyday and beyond.