The visual appearances of twelfth and thirteenth century Scottish castles are interpreted through an iconographic and iconological analysis. in examining the symbolic possibilities evidenced in the castles's visual programs, an architectural language of authority, "castle style," is identified. The connections of this architectural language to twelfth and thirteenth century "new men" is considered through a review of historical and architectural evidence. Socio-political ambition and the representation of social stature are recognizable in "castle style."

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