Castle

A 1978 Caldecott Honor Book

The word itself conjures up mystery, romance, intrigue, and grandeur. What could be more perfect for an author/illustrator who has continually stripped away the mystique of architectural structures that have long fascinated modern man?

Beginning on a rocky Welsh headland in 1283, the book follows master engineer James of Babbington as three thousand workmen erect the formidable walls of Aberwyvern.

Master James’s immense workforce of masons, carpenters, and smiths turns raw sandstone and timber into an impenetrable stronghold complete with portcullises, murder holes, and battlements.

Detailed architectural cross-sections reveal the engineering behind every defense, documenting both the daily routines of medieval settlers and the desperate realities of an enemy siege. With typical zest and wry sense of humor punctuating his drawings, David Macaulay traces the step-by-step planning and construction of both castle and town.Medieval Castle Engineering: Discover the ingenious physics of seesaw drawbridges balanced over rock-cut moat pits, self-contained corner towers, and timber roof trusses spanning the great hall.Castle Town Planning: Follow the growth of a fortified settlement where craftsmen build wattle-and-daub workshops with folding shop-window counters along bustling unpaved streets.Castle Defense Construction: Examine the fortifications tested under real warfare, from timber hoardings and arrow loops to the protective sheds used against burning Welsh siege weapons.Architecture Books for Kids: Ideal for young historians and inquisitive builders ages 10 and up, offering a clear visual breakdown of medieval masonry, surveying, and domestic life.Also by This Author: City, Cathedral and Pyramid.