Castles in Shropshire

A definition

A castle is a heavily defended residential fortress. It is, therefore, both a home, usually for a lord or king, and a fortification - a building that has defenses.

Why were castles built?

Castles were initially designed and built to maintain control over conquered territory. They also provided a safe place for the lord or king to live, and as impressive structures served to intimidate and oppress the local people. Castles functioned, therefore, on many levels. They were defensive centres of government and control, and symbols of the power, wealth and status of their owners. 

This photograph demonstrates how Ludlow Castle functioned as an imposing symbol of power, status and control over the local landscape and population.

A reference in the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle during the Civil War of Stephen and Matilda in 1137, shows how castle building was found to be oppressive to the local people. It also demonstrates how power was exerted over them by using the local people as a labour force for constructing castles:

They solely burdened the unhappy people of the country with forced labour on the castles. And when the castles were made they filled them with devils and wicked men