Historian Explores American Castles' Link to Global Fortifications

While images of medieval European fortresses often dominate the popular imagination of castles, their history and evolution extend to America's shores, according to historian Dan Jones.

In his book, "Castles: A Fortified History of the World," Jones traces the lineage of fortifications over 3,000 years, encompassing everything from Iron Age hillforts to modern nuclear bunkers, and highlights America's unique contributions and interpretations of these structures.

"I don't think we can truly understand it without having the American side to the story," Jones told Fox News Digital. He points to structures like Fort Sumter in South Carolina, where the first shots of the Civil War were fired in April 1861, as descendants of traditional castles. These coastal fortifications, built with thick walls and artillery, represent an adaptation of defensive architecture.

Another significant American example is Fort Pulaski in Georgia. When Union forces attacked it with rifled cannons in 1862, the seemingly impenetrable fort was destroyed within 48 hours. "Fort Pulaski was just thought to be so strong, you may as well bombard the Rocky Mountains," Jones said. "Well, Fort Pulaski was blown to bits in 48 hours, and that was a transformative moment in the whole history of castle building."

Beyond military installations, Jones notes that America also boasts grand estates that emulate the castle's dual role as a symbol of wealth and power. He cites California's Hearst Castle and Gilded Age mansions such as the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina and Belcourt in Newport, Rhode Island, as examples of this tradition. "There's this moment in the Middle Ages where they're combined, but you can see this in America today," Jones explained. "There are colossal fortifications and there are these colossal palatial houses that have always been built by the super wealthy."

This enduring fascination with castles, Jones suggests, extends beyond mere historical curiosity. Even modern structures like Disneyland's Sleeping Beauty Castle, built in 1955, tap into this deep-seated appeal. "Somewhere deep down the story of the castle is the story of building places to protect the things we love," he said. "That's what connects the whole history of fortification and castle building all the way back to almost the dawn of recorded history."

Jones also acknowledges the darker aspects of castle history, noting their roles as prisons and sites of torture. He recounted dining in a room at the Tower of London where Guy Fawkes was allegedly tortured after the Gunpowder Plot of 1605. However, he also highlighted their diverse functions throughout history, including serving as royal residences, zoos, and mints.