欧洲中世纪城堡的功能及其转换

Functions and Transitions of European Castles in Middle Ages

中世纪城堡依历史条件不同而有不同的主导功能。大体说来,9至13世纪,因战火连绵而以攻防为主;13世纪末,城堡开始作为地方政治经济中心扮演政府角色而以协调管理为主;约一个世纪后,因堡主追求排场享受转而以居住为主;15、16世纪,城堡不再适应新的变化,逐渐淡出历史舞台。

Medieval castles had different functions according to different historical contexts. Generally speaking, 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.