Editing Castle (section)

===Defining characteristics===
In its simplest terms, the definition of a castle accepted amongst academics is "a private fortified residence".<ref name="Coulson 16">{{Harvnb|Coulson|2003|p=16}}</ref> This contrasts with earlier fortifications, such as [[Anglo-Saxons|Anglo-Saxon]] [[burh]]s and [[Defensive wall|walled cities]] such as [[Constantinople]] and [[Antioch]] in the Middle East; castles were not communal defences but were built and owned by the local [[feudal]] lords, either for themselves or for their monarch.<ref>{{Harvnb|Liddiard|2005|pp=15–17}}</ref> Feudalism was the link between a lord and his [[vassal]] where, in return for military service and the expectation of loyalty, the lord would grant the vassal land.<ref>{{harvnb|Herlihy|1970|p=xvii–xviii}}</ref> In the late 20th&nbsp;century, there was a trend to refine the definition of a castle by including the criterion of feudal ownership, thus tying castles to the medieval period; however, this does not necessarily reflect the terminology used in the medieval period. During the [[First Crusade]] (1096–1099), the [[Franks|Frankish]] armies encountered walled settlements and forts that they indiscriminately referred to as castles, but which would not be considered as such under the modern definition.<ref name="Coulson 16"/>

[[File:Windsor Castle at Sunset - Nov 2006.jpg|thumb|alt=A castle, seen at the end of a long avenue, lit pink and red by the sunset. The castle gives an impression of tremendous size, and has an imposing, twin-towered gatehouse and, to the left, a large round keep.|[[Windsor Castle]] in England was founded as a fortification during the [[Norman conquest of England|Norman Conquest]] and was one of the principal official residences of Queen [[Elizabeth II]] during her reign.]]

[[File:Baba Vida Klearchos 1.jpg|thumb|The medieval [[Baba Vida|Vidin Castle]] built in the 9th century on the banks of the [[Danube]] in the old capital city of [[Vidin]].]]

Castles served a range of purposes, the most important of which were military, administrative, and domestic. As well as defensive structures, castles were also offensive tools which could be used as a [[Headquarters|base of operations]] in enemy territory. Castles were established by Norman invaders of England for both defensive purposes and to pacify the country's inhabitants.<ref>{{Harvnb|Friar|2003|p=47}}</ref> As [[William I of England|William the Conqueror]] advanced through England, he fortified key positions to secure the land he had taken. Between 1066 and 1087, he established 36&nbsp;castles such as [[Warwick Castle]], which he used to guard against rebellion in the [[English Midlands]].<ref>{{Harvnb|Liddiard|2005|p=18}}</ref><ref>{{Harvnb|Stephens|1969|pp=452–475}}</ref>

Towards the end of the Middle Ages, castles tended to lose their military significance due to the advent of powerful cannons and permanent artillery fortifications;<ref name="Duffy 23-25">{{harvnb|Duffy|1979|pp=23–25}}</ref> as a result, castles became more important as residences and statements of power.<ref>{{Harvnb|Liddiard|2005|pp=2, 6–7}}</ref> A castle could act as a stronghold and prison but was also a place where a knight or lord could entertain his peers.<ref>{{Harvnb|Cathcart King|1983|pp=xvi–xvii}}</ref> Over time the aesthetics of the design became more important, as the castle's appearance and size began to reflect the prestige and power of its occupant. Comfortable homes were often fashioned within their fortified walls. Although castles still provided protection from low levels of violence in later periods, eventually they were succeeded by [[country house]]s as high-status residences.<ref>{{harvnb|Liddiard|2005|p=2}}</ref>