h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: Hampshire Earthwork Castles - A75730386
Author: Bluebottle - U43530

An overview about earthwork castles in Hampshire, which in no way prevents anyone from writing a more detailed guide to individual castles later on.

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You certainly do some in depth research on these castles BB. I'll finish reading this later.


BMT Scout

A good overview BB. I just have a few minor points:

For the benefit of non-UK readers, it might be of benefit to slightly amplify the location of Hampshire by changing <> to <>

<> is a list and should be punctuated <> Also Mediæval --> Medieval

nineteen year period --> 19 year period

15th century --> 15th Century

Henry de Vlois should be Henry de Blois?

You variously prefix your OS map references with nothing, 'reference', 'grid reference' and 'map reference'. Could you be consistent please?

Hello

Changes made!

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Heya BB, another good Entry.

A couple of points from me:

"First of all they could be constructed cheaply, by those who could not afford the expense of purchasing vast quantities of stone and paying for the skilled labour needed to construct stone defences. They offered a measure of protection to those wealthy enough to afford some protection but not able to afford stone defences."

--> these two sentences sort of say the same thing. Can they be combined?

"Papal Legate"
--> could you drop in a footnote for those of us who don't recognise this term?

"William Briwere3 who was granted a licence to crenellat"
--> crenellat?

Aside from that, it all looks good to me.

Okay, changes made.

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I wonder whether we have any further suggestions?

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Mmmm
Perhaps an explanation of the terms Ringwork and Seigework for those who are new to the subject.

Also a word or two about castles that started as an earthwork and developed, and mention regarding those that not develop, that whats left now is minus the wooden walls and service buildings.

Some changes made, I'll add a bit more later.

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I've nothing to bemoan here - this is some good stuff! This could easily turn into a huge project...

Seems good to go?

Is everyone happy with this?

Lanzababy Scout

I'm assuming that the answer is yes.

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Just giving it a final look-over in case I missed something first time...

"These consisted of an artificial hill, known as a motte, often with a wooden tower on top, and a bailey, an enclosed defended area below the motte."
--> I read that 'below' to mean underneath/underground. Does it mean around the base of the hill, or something else?

You give map references - from which map?

"Archaeologists uncovered an 8-foot thick flint wall and the base of an ashlar keep."
-->what's ashlar?


Then I really am done.

Okay, I've addressed those and added explanations.

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One late one...

>>It is therefore difficult to determine precisely when they constructed, who by and why. <<

>>It is therefore difficult to determine precisely when they were constructed, by whom and/or why. <<

MMF

Another?

>>During this time as Winchester was the political capital of England much of the fighting took place around Winchester and the surrounding Hampshire countryside.<<

>>During this time, as Winchester was the political capital of England, much of the fighting took place around Winchester and the surrounding Hampshire countryside.<<

>>and so he became one of the most powerful men in England, second only his brother King Stephen.<<

>>and so he became one of the most powerful men in England, second only to his brother King Stephen.<<

Think I've finished -picking!

MMF

I've a few comments, but I'll add them later, when I've time.

I'll look forward to reading those comments Deadangel when I'm back from holiday - but I've amended the article as the other suggestions have recommended.

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Any comments?

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