Castles after gunpowder

The end of the classic castle age did not remove the need for fortified positions. When military fashion and technology changed, neglected castles became convenient sources of lead, dressed stone, glass, and timber. The survival and reuse of many sites also point to their construction quality and continuing strategic value. Islands, harbors, coasts, and important routes still required control, even if fewer positions were needed or star forts replaced older forms. Forts remained military works, while chateaux and grand houses served civilian life, although renewed conflict could quickly bring walls and crenellations to the latter.