Book excerpt: The Yorkshire countryside’s ancient earthwork castles, built in the time of the Norman Conquest, come to life in this beautiful guide—includes pictures! The Norman conquest of the British isle was a landmark event in England’s history, drawing a line between its misty Roman and Saxon origins and the grand empire it would eventually become. Largely built after 1071, the era’s castles were basic earth-and-timber structures situated on high mounds known as mottes. Though these ancient structures have largely been forgotten, neglected, or in some cases even destroyed, many still exist today—and have fascinating stories to tell. Drawing on the Yorkshire Archeological & Historical Society archives, this comprehensive and knowledgeable guide explores the fascinating history of these enduringstructures. Providing a guide to seventy-five castles in total, the book offers detailed information and anecdotal trivia about each site.