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Message: <blockquote data-quote="GuyBoy" data-source="post: 8447878" data-attributes="member: 7031143">Broadening this a little, the 1066 period raises some interesting points here. The Anglo-Saxon approach to walls had moved on from Offa’s Dyke to the mobile Shield Wall, created of warriors, flexible and effective. Godwinson was able to “move” his shield wall up to Stamford Bridge, near York, and use it effectively to defeat Hardrada. He was then able to move it remarkably quickly to the south coast; although he lost at Hastings, it was remarkably close, and, but for a few factors, could easily have gone differently. Had the “weaker section” of the wall ( the inexperienced fyrd) not fallen for the feigned retreat. Had Harold listened to the advice of his brothers, Gyrth and Leofwine, to delay in order to strengthen. The Shield Wall could easily have won the day. The Saxon battle-cry at Hastings, “Ut, Ut, Ut!” More or less translates as “Keep Out”, and reflects the purpose of walls through the ages. The Normans circled their walls into castles, and these had a manifold purpose. To exercise control of a hostile population of 3+ million with maybe 10k Normans, needed to ensure they could be both protected and spread out. A task that only castles could accomplish, initially built of wood for speed, then replaced by stone. They had a further symbolic purpose of psychological suppression as “power writ in stone.” This showed the cowed populace just who the masters were, particularly when juxtaposed with Norman church building. “ We control you in this life and the next”Rochester is arguably one of the best examples of this:[ATTACH=full]146164[/ATTACH](It always intrigued me as to whether the builder of both edifices, Bishop Gundulph, inspired a certain writer in his name choices......)We can also see this psychological power-statement impact in the French word “ donjon” for keep, being anglicised as dungeon, due to perceived power purposes. Keeps & Dragons doesn’t ring the same!So walls of China, shield walls, castles and, delving further, the “wall” of the Misty Mountains or the “wall” of green at the entrance to Fangorn: all great for fantasy design. Thanks for the article, Lew. Thought-provoking as ever.</blockquote>

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