Military Architecture in England during the Middle Ages. By A.
Hamilton Thompson. (Henry Frowde. 7e. ad. net.)—This is an excellent handbook. Mr. Thompson begins with a chapter de- scribing early British earthworks and Roman stations, and then traces the development of the medieval castle from the simple form of mound and palisade to the complete fortress of Edward I., which in turn gives way to the fortified dwelling-house. Unlike some archaeologists writing of buildings, Mr. Thompson never becomes dry or dusty in his descriptions ; he has a lively imagina- tion, and continually makes good points—in suggesting, for instance, that the medieval fortress builders in defending the main access to their castle gateways were really reproducing in atone the methods of the designers of earthworks like Maiden Castle. Many of the illustrations, particularly those of siege operations, are admirable.
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