Functions and Transitions of European Castles in Middle Ages

Medieval castles had different functions according to different historical contexts. Generally speak- ing,defense played the main role from 9th to 13th Century,during which time all kinds of wars continuously happened. Then coordination and management functions were stronger when castles worked as local center of political and economic affairs at the end of 13th Century. As time goes on,they turned to be residential places because the hosts of castles were in pursuit of luxuriousness and enjoyment. In the 15th and 16th Century, castles were no longer adapted for new changes,and gradually vanished from the stage of history.