Castles: Seen by the Light of a Thousand Candles "Feudal society was defined by the castle, and was reflected in its development from a wooden defense structure to a stone architectural complex, with room for many houses within its walls." Castles emerged as part of Europe’s feudalisation, perhaps as early as the 9th century. Frequently situated at key locations, castles were strongholds that provided bases from which squadrons of knights could ride out to attack an enemy but were also "a center for administering justice and dispensing hospitality." The castle was not just a fortress but also a residence and home, a different conc