IMC 2015: Sessions

Session 802: A Stamp of Authority: Castles and the Reinforcement of Social Hierarchies

Sponsor:	Castle Studies Group
Organiser:	Audrey Thorstad, School of History, University of Leeds
Moderator/Chair:	Gillian Scott, Castle Studies Group, South Shields
Paper 802-a	Torches, Spades, and Picks: Destroyed Castles in the Middle Ages (Language: English) Richard Nevell, Department of Archaeology, University of Exeter Index terms: Archaeology - Sites, Architecture - Secular
Paper 802-b	Establishing a Royal Connection: Heraldic Displays in Late Medieval Castles (Language: English) Audrey Thorstad, School of History, University of Leeds Index terms: Archaeology - Sites, Architecture - Secular, Heraldry
Abstract	Castles, the iconic symbols of the Middle Ages, were central to the creation and reinforcement of medieval social hierarchies. Recent developments in castle scholarship have highlighted the multifaceted nature of the castle which includes their role as symbols of lordship and authority. This multifaceted nature demands a multifaceted approach to study. The three papers in this session will therefore examine three different aspects of the display of status and lordship within the medieval landscape, as shown through the examination of different aspects of the castle’s landscape impact, architecture, and treatment. The session will provide a diverse, but coherent, discussion.