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. He has particular interests in the interplay between archaeological and historical data in the medieval period. Specific areas of research include urban defence, the archaeology, social and settlement history of castles and castle-building society, and the settlement history of Greater Exmoor. The late Philip Barker was formerly Reader in British Archaeology, University of Birmingham. He has directed a number of excavations and published several books.

Eagerly awaited…It is no exaggeration to say that this is a seminal work which will long remain an essential point of reference.Fortress, vol. 16

• List of illustrationsPrefaceAcknowledgementsList of abbreviations1. Timber castles: their study and background2. Origins of timber castles in the British Isles3. Origins of timber castles in Europe4. The documentary contribution5. The pictorial evidence6. Stone and timber7. The earthworks of timber castles8. The structure of timber castles: the excavated evidence and its interpretation9. Hen Domen, Montgomery: a case-study10. Epilogue11. Gazetteer of excavations in Great Britain and IrelandAppendices:A. Timber castle vocabularyB. CastelNotesFurther readingIndex