Timber Castles

Some of the greatest medieval castles survive only as earthworks and in pictures and written accounts because they were made of timber. Robert Higham and Philip Barker, who excavated in detail the timber castle at Hen Domen in Wales, have assembled the first comprehensive survey of this neglected and little-known type of fortification. This new edition includes a new preface from Robert Higham, to mark twenty years since the book's original publication.

Robert Higham recently retired as Senior Lecturer in Archaeology, University of Exeter. His research interests cover two broad topics relating to the medieval period: the general theme of defence, in both its military and social aspects, and the medieval archaeology of South West England. He has directed a number of excavations and published several books. The late Philip Barker was Reader in British Archaeology at the University of Birmingham. He directed a number of excavations and published several books.