Creighton/Castles and Landscapes, 9. Overview

This study has re-examined the medieval castle, using interdisciplinary approaches of landscape archaeology and landscape studies and having as principal aim the re-integration of castles into the contemporary surroundings. The study has further underlined that castles were instruments of administration and tools of lordship, emphasizing the complexity of castle siting and the variety of impacts the presence of castles could have on their surroundings. The impact of castles on the development and topography of other human settlements has been identified as particularly important. Moreover, the interrelationships between medieval castles and their settings have been examined from various perspectives.