As a border county of the 'Marcher Lordships', Shropshirewas for centuries an active military zone. Its often turbulent past is reflected in the large number of castles in the county, in particular those lying along its western border with Wales. After outlining the history of castles in Shropshire - their origins and expansion under the Normans, their development during the middle ages and their subsequent fate or reappearance as county homes rather than fortifications - the authors provide a full, illustrated gazetteer of every visible castle (or castle remains) in the county. In particular they give details of many early castles that have never been covered in earlier works. This thorough but compact guide will prove an invaluable guide for residents and visitors alike.