During the reign of Henry III great progress was made in the improvement and development of castle-building.  The comfort and convenience of the dwellers in these fortresses were considered, and if not very luxurious places they were made more beautiful by art and more desirable as residences.  During the reigns of the Edwards this progress continued, and a new type of castle was introduced.  The stern, massive, and high-towering keep was abandoned, and the fortifications arranged in a concentric fashion.  A fine hall with kitchens occupied the centre of the fortress; a large number of chambers were added.  The stronghold itself consisted of a large square or oblong like that at Donnington, Berkshire, and the approach was carefully guarded by strong gateways, advanced works, walled galleries, and barbicans.  Deep moats filled with water increased their strength and improved their beauty.

We will give some examples of these Edwardian castles, of which Leeds Castle, Kent, is a fine specimen.  It stands on three islands in a sheet of water about fifteen acres in extent, these islands being connected in former times by double drawbridges.  It consists of two huge piles of buildings which with a strong gate-house and barbican form four distinct forts, capable of separate defence should any one or other fall into the hands of an enemy.  Three causeways, each with its drawbridge, gate, and portcullis, lead to the smallest island or inner barbican, a fortified mill contributing to the defences.  A stone bridge connects this island with the main island.  There stands the Constable’s Tower, and a stone wall surrounds the island and within is the modern mansion.  The Maiden’s Tower and the Water Tower defend the island on the south.  A two-storeyed building on arches now connects the main island with the Tower of the Gloriette, which has a curious old bell with the Virgin and Child, St. George and the Dragon, and the Crucifixion depicted on it, and an ancient clock.  The castle withstood a siege in the time of Edward II because Queen Isabella was refused admission.  The King hung the Governor, Thomas de Colepepper, by the chain of the drawbridge.  Henry IV retired here on account of the Plague in London, and his second wife, Joan of Navarre, was imprisoned here.  It was a favourite residence of the Court in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries.  Here the wife of Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, was tried for witchcraft.  Dutch prisoners were confined here in 1666 and contrived to set fire to some of the buildings.  It is the home of the Wykeham Martin family, and is one of the most picturesque castles in the country.