A collection of twenty-two commissioned papers discuss the construction, architecture and building plan of 13th-century castles in Europe. An initial four essays discuss the historical context of castle-building beginning in the post-Roman years. These are followed by a series of case studies, mostly from Germany, including castles in Nuernberg, Pappenheim, Vienenburg, Muenzenburg and Oppenheim. Contributors also discuss 13th-century castles in Sweden, France and Lichtenstein and the influence of the Hapsburgs. Essays are illustrated by plans and maps and photographs of architectural features. German text.