The 16th century was a new stage in the development of castle architecture in England. These artillery fortresses towering on the frontier are no longer only used to suppress domestic enemies, but also to defend against foreign enemies. At a time of political turmoil in Europe, Britain also felt the danger of Europe, as Charles V and Francis I of France united. It was in this context that Henry VIII made the change. In the 40s of the 16th century, he borrowed from the design of Roman castles on the Saxon coast and began the construction of a magnificent fortress on the south coast of England. Campbell Castle, Diere Castle, and Walmer Castle are like newly built castles that are tasked with defending the kingdom.
In addition to being equipped with artillery to deal with shelling from battleships and attacks by invading armies, the main thing was that they were also responsible for the defense of one of the main anchorages along the southern coast of England, guaranteeing the defense of the British coast. The Berwick Fortress on the banks of the River Tweed can be said to be the crystallization of the forts built in this era. This magnificent castle not only saved the north of England from invasion, but was also a key point of attack on Scotland, especially Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. At the same time, it also protects the estuary of the River Tweed to keep the British shipping lanes safe.
Compared to the fortresses of the Middle Ages, this new type of fortress has a completely different concept and design. From the luxury of the past to the present, they are more focused on practicality and defense. In Wales, some castles have been abandoned or left unrepaired, while others have been restored. Nowadays, it is not only a defensive function, but also a fusion of warmth and luxury in the interior, especially some artistic corridors, bringing residents a high-quality living experience. The Château de La Grand, the Château de Powys, the Château de Caroo, etc., are typical of this trend. Of course, Britain was not the only one destroyed. The Dutch Republic has also focused on its borders, particularly in the Breda region, with the establishment of new defense bases. These destroyed castles have attracted the attention of many painters, most notably Views of the Destroyed Bled Castle and Vistas of Haarlem, by Jacob van der Krauss. This is a very characteristic oil painting, which depicts the castle destroyed by the war and the beautiful scenery of Haarlem in the distance.
As time passed, the fortresses and castles of the past gradually disappeared into the years, and only a legend remained. However, the historical traces and cultural heritage they brought will remain in the hearts of the people forever. Whether it's the forts on the coast of England, the border fortresses of the Netherlands, or the Welsh castles that blend luxury and comfort, they all tell us about that history.
In 1573, a fire scorched a castle. It used to be a fortress for the Spaniards, but over time, around the 16th century, the role of the fortress slowly changed. They are no longer just protecting their territory and honor, but more of a sign of strength, they are stationed here to protect their homeland. They were like castles from the Roman period, a very critical military installation. During this period, there was a series of upheavals and civil wars in Europe. The German peasant revolt, the Dutch Revolution, and a religious war in France brought the ancient fortress – the city – the wall – back into the spotlight. On the battlefield, such forts are very important to stop enemy attacks and buy valuable time for operations and even tactical deployment.
Take, for example, the war between Protestants and royalists in France between 1572 and 1573, when the Protestants relied on the impregnable defenses of the town of La Rochelle to resist the royal offensive. However, only a few decades later, in 1628, after a 14-month siege, the city was captured. During this period, the rise and fall of the castle is a historical proof of the intertwining of wars and fortresses.
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