Wales - Castles and Conwy

Wales - Castles and Conwy

A country of beauty and awesome castles.

I was fortunate to visit glorious Wales this year in their beautiful summer and besides the quaintest of towns and villages, I was amazed at the fabulously maintained castles and enchanted in particular by Conwy Castle, which engulfs all of Conwy and I decided to explore it.

The castle is set against the mountains of Snowdonia where it has exuded its beauty for 700 years, construction having been completed in 1287.

I was overawed by the majesty of medieval town walls which surround the borough established in its shadow.

Here is a basic diagram of the castle. Note the Town wall sections, left and top.

Built in North Wales by instruction of King Edward the 1st, it was completed in just 4 years, which is mind blowing to me, considering how vast it really is. Conwy was one of a series of castles built in Wales and was achieved under the skillful direction of the king's master Mason, James of St George.

View of the Bakehouse tower

It was designed as two adjoining wards that could be defended separately under attack. Eight lofty towers, four of which carry turrets, crown the curtain walls which surround the inner ward which housed a magnificent suite of royal chambers.

The height of the walls is exceptional as they they were built on raised foundations which with the surrounding shore, made it almost impenetrable. Arrow loops are situated in the merlons for defence against those brave enough to attempt access.

I found the many circular staircases rather menacing and imagined the energy required to reach the top in a hurry.

By 1332 the castle became unfit for the king and remains unaltered. It is Immaculately maintained as a major tourist attraction.

The castle and town walls were reconstructed at the end of the 13th century a part of comprehensive restoration project.

I left the castle using the once heavily defended gate, crossed the incredible bridge-way, bought some Welsh cuisine and sat meditating, on a bench over looking the beautiful harbour.

Bibliography : A J Taylor. Studies in castles and castle building.
R R Davies: Conquest and Co- existence. (Oxford 1987). Jeremy A. Ashbee ( MA, PhD FSA)

Image 1 No machine-readable author provided. Dbenbenn assumed (based on copyright claims). -
No machine-readable source provided. Own work assumed (based on copyright claims)., CC BY-SA 3.0,
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Image 2 By Cadw -
http://cadw.wales.gov.uk/docs/cadw/publications/WHS_additional_maps_plans_EN.pdf, OGL,

Image 3 By Hchc2009 - Own work; on permanent public display at Conwy Castle, CC BY-SA 3.0,
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