The Story of a Castle

Except for a list of dates and historic notes, Goodall's new book is wordless, telling the story with his beautiful, luminous paintings. As in the British artist's earlier works, half and full pages alternate, concealing and revealing life in a castle from 1170 through 1970. It was built as a fortress by William the Conqueror, a gracious home to later generations, until Cromwell's Roundheads sacked the Royalist stronghold and scattered the occupants. Regained by William's descendants, the castle was the scene of glittering social gatherings during the Georgian and Edwardian eras, a hospital for the wounded in World War I and a haven for evacuated children in World War II. The great structure was unbowed by the buffets of 400 years but the new owners had to charge visitors to pay for the castle's upkeep. (All ages