Building the Presence of Prince

By the late Middle Ages, architecture became an increasingly important means of representation of princely rule and institutions. In addition to their symbolic significance, the ruler?s buildings served a host of practical purposes. Obviously, castles and fortresses defended the territory, while urban and rural residences served the itinerant court during its proceedings, but their possessions also comprised a wider network of estates that included infrastructure and agricultural, commercial, industrial, and administrative buildings. Together, these networks of sites became a significant means of consolidating the sovereigns? power and served as key instruments for promoting their rule. To tighten the control over their possessions and to ensure their upkeep, rulers set up Offices of Works, permanent administrative bodies entrusted with their management