An intimate guide to the inside of a castle and the lives of its residents, this Stephen Biesty classic details the workings of a medieval fortress.

With intricately detailed cross-sections, each layer of a castle is presented, so readers can explore layer upon layer of castle life including the people, their possessions, and how they lived, as well as how they defended themselves from enemy attacks and settled down for an evening of entertainment. Each time readers turn the page, they'll discover new details, making this the ultimate "insider's guide" to the structure of a castle and the lives of its inhabitants.

In 1307, the Scots were in the midst of a bloody struggle to free themselves from England. Among the possessions in dispute was Douglas Castle. It belonged to the Scotsman, James Douglas, but was held by force by an English garrison under the command of Sir John de Walton.

 

James Douglas was as determined to regain his castle as De Walton was to hold it. Only one of these two gallant men could triumph in the battle for the dangerous castle.

Jack sells the family cow for three magical beans. The mother is angry at Jack's purchase and throws the beans out the window. Overnight the magic beans grow and sprout right into the clouds. Jack climbs up the beanstalk and discovers a giant's castle with all sorts of wonders like a hen that lays golden eggs, bags of gold and a magic harp.

The tale of a beautiful princess who lives in a castle twelve stories highAs the princess is in such a tall castle, she can see for miles and miles. Wishing to marry a man more clever than herself, the princess decides that only a man that can hide himself from her will become her husband. Unfortunately, the royal magician turns all of the men that try to hide from her into marble statues. With the help of a raven, a fox and a fish, will the merchant be able to accomplish this task?

Lower the drawbridge! Would you like to know what life was like in a castle long ago? Then come spend the next twelve months in this castle. Check out eight action-packed scenes for a bird's-eye view of the life and work of lords, ladies, knights, maids, and more. See the castle on market day and during an attack by an enemy lord. Watch knights compete in a tournament. Keep your eye on the calendar too. By spending a whole year in a castle, you can watch events unfold as the seasons change.