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Philip Davis

As long as I can remember I have been fascinated by castles. In the summer months during my childhood my family went camping in various parts of the UK and we often visited castles. Here I'm pictured sheltering from the rain at Pickering Castle in Yorkshire with my father and sister.

Pickering Castle has a fine example of a Shell Keep built on a motte of about 1100. The last time I visited it was winter and was again raining. The custodian was most surprised that I wanted to visit the castle. I'm afraid little puts me off when it comes to castles.

I never lost the habit of visiting historic sites. Here I'm pictured sat outside Santa Maria del Naranco, a 9th century visigothic palace of King Ramiro, near Oviedo, Spain, during a holiday in 1990. I managed to fit in visits to about 30 or so castles during this holiday in France and Spain including Falaise, Coca, and Segovia's Alcazar

I visit castles on a regular basis, assisted by my membership of English Heritage, who care for so many English castles. My main interest is the medieval castles of England and Wales although I do have a more general interest in medieval life and often visit churches and other medieval places, I don't travel abroad very often but when I do I'm always looking at the local castle and church.

I do occasionally allow myself to dream about building my own castle based upon Castle Hedingham in Essex.

I have visited hundreds of castle sites in England and Wales, ranging from grand royal castles like Conwy to half hidden mounds of earth in isolated church yards like Pulford, in Cheshire. To understand castles in the wider context I also visit other medieval sites and I am always reading some history book or other .

I have, a while ago, been a bit more directly involved in the presentation of the past and here I'm pictured in my guise as a 17th century farm labourer (pictured here enjoying some potage. - Notice the square plate, properly called a trencher, leading to the expressions 'trencherman' and 'square meal')

I am not a professional historian and have no academic qualifications in the field so please take my site as the work of an amateur enthusiast.

This sort of project is bound to require help from others. I am indebted to the following for their help and support:

• The various authors from whom I've collected this data and who have inspired me by their work and their great regard for the subject. Please see the bibliography.
• Much of the bibliography for individual sites is derived from the three excellent bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology (Volumns 2 and 3 are available online) and the annual bibliography produced by him for the Castle Studies Group.
• The National Monument Record Team at Swindon for much information on various sites, for running the PastScape online National Monuments Database from which much of the information on this site is derived and for there kindness in allowing me to use that information.
• The various librarians, booksellers and museum curators who have helped with requests for books and information.
• Jeff Thomas for his praise, support, information and the inspiration provided by his web site.
• Michael Cook for his praise and support.
• Andrew Muller for his photo of Holwell Motte and Bailey.
• Paul Reeves for sharing his information on obscure castle sites.
• Peter Iles for his information on the castles of Lancashire.
• Richard Skinner for his information on Holme Spinney.
• Michael Radcliffe for information on Parwich 'castle'.
• Jamie Ayers for information on Ceaser's Tower, Coventry.
• Rebecca Roseff for helping to resolve some questions about possible castles in Herefordshire.
• Neil Guy for general encouragement and suggestions on layout and content.
• Paul Remfry for general support for the idea of the site and much specific information on many castles in the Marches.
• Paul Brown for information on Oswestry Castle and Town Walls.
• David Roffe for information on Newhouse Castle and Grantham, Lincolnshire and for help with design of this site.
• Rob Dixon for information on Boarstall Tower, Buckinghamshire.
• Peter Ryder for sharing thoughts and comments on tower houses and bastles.
• Jon Seddon for locating 'Barkshale Wood'.
• Will Davies for pointing out errors and adding information on castles sites in Monmouthshire.
• Christopher Taylor for information on Hanwell Castle.
• Peter Thompson for information on Ty Gwyn, Barmouth.
• Phil Wood for information and a citation regarding Newbury and Hamstead Marshall castles.
• James Davidson for information and a citation regarding Hen Domen, Llansantffraid Deuddwr.
• Charles Coulson for help with the list of licences to crenellate.
• James Wright for information on East Bridgford and Strelley Hall in Nottinghamshire.
• David Maynard for pointing out an error and for information on several sites in South Wales.
• Robert Waterhouse for information on some south Devon sites, particularly Keynedon Barton.
• Me Mum and Dad for taking me to so many castles when I was young.
• Jan for keeping me company at home and on trips to castles.