Castles, Town Defences and Artillery Fortifications

John R. Kenyon
CASTLES, TOWN DEFENCES AND ARTILLERY FORTIFICATIONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM AND IRELAND: A BIBLIOGRAPHY 1945-2006.
Shaun Tyas, Donington, 2008. Pp. 740 + xii. Price £35. ISBN 978-1900289-894.

John Kenyon, who is the librarian of the National Museum of Wales, has been compiling bibliographies relating to castles in Britain and Ireland for many years. He is also an expert on castles and the author/editor of many works on the subject. In particular he is the author of three of the very fine Cadw guides to Welsh castles: Kidwelly, Raglan and a guidebook that covers three castles, Coity, Ogmore and Newcastle. A member of the Castle Studies Group since its foundation in 1987, he has from that time produced a bibliography of new work on the subject every year, originally as part of the newsletter of the group but latterly as a special supplement. He has made every effort to ensure that his lists are as comprehensive as possible both through his contacts from different areas in the Castle Studies Group and through his searches in different libraries including, in Ireland, those of the Royal Irish Academy, Trinity College and the Royal Society of Antiquaries of Ireland. These yearly bibliographies are invaluable tools for anyone trying to keep up with research on castles in these islands.

The book under review is a compendium of all the books and articles listed in these bibliographies along with three earlier amalgamated bibliographies of his, produced by the Council for British Archaeology in 1978, 1983 and 1990. As well as dealing with Britain and Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands are also covered. The entries are divided into those of a general nature and the bulk of the text, which goes through the different geographical areas. There is an index of authors and places at the back.

The book is clearly printed, is very easy to use and is a handsome hardback volume fit for the heavy use it will, no doubt, get. It is an essential tool for anyone with a serious research interest in castles and/or fortifications in Ireland or Britain. The author and the publisher are to be congratulated on a very fine production, which is also very good value.

CONLETH MANNING