Military buildings

Abstract

A military building is any building that plays a role in military activity, from the army camp to the fortress. It can be temporary or relatively permanent. Yet not all buildings which are generally regarded as military had a solely military purpose. Walls of stone or earth, such as the late Roman limes on the German frontier, or King Offa of Mercia’s dyke on his western frontier, could simply mark a boundary, the ‘cut-off point’ between one ruler’s region of authority and the next. A castle, while being built to offer secure housing against marauders and to house warriors who could conduct hostilities against other warriors, was also a centre of administration and a home and could display the wealth and artistic taste of its owner; it could be a palace as well as playing a role in war.