Caerphilly Castle 210120 1666
Caerphilly Castle / Castell Caerffili, the biggest castle in Wales, indeed the second largest in the United Kingdom after Windsor. Construction started in 1268 as a purely defensive work, the main body being completed in three years, but over the years it was turned into more of a palace.
By the 15th century it was just about in use, but survived pretty much on a 'care and maintenance' basis. By the end of the century it had been more or less abandoned, and was soon being robbed for its stone. Although the castle played little part in the Civil Wars (1644-1651), afterwards Cromwell wanted to remove the possibility of it being used as a defence against his forces and ordered it to be 'slighted', effectively demanding it be pulled down and renderered useless as a fortification. The result of an attempt to bring down the South-east tower by gunpowder can still be seen in the 'leaning tower'.
In the 18th century the castle came into the hands of the Marquesses of Bute, who did little with it until the fourth Marquess, who had made a fortune in coal and industry in South Wales, started what was essentially a job-creation scheme in 1928, trying to recreate as far as possible the structure as it would have been at the height of its power. Work continued until 1939, and some restarted after the war, the site being handed over to the government in 1950. It is now looked after by CADW.
For more information, see:
www.castlewales.com/caerphil.html
www.manyfoto.com/uk/uk/Bedwas,wales.html
Caerphilly Castle 210120 1666
Caerphilly Castle / Castell Caerffili, the biggest castle in Wales, indeed the second largest in the United Kingdom after Windsor. Construction started in 1268 as a purely defensive work, the main body being completed in three years, but over the years it was turned into more of a palace.
By the 15th century it was just about in use, but survived pretty much on a 'care and maintenance' basis. By the end of the century it had been more or less abandoned, and was soon being robbed for its stone. Although the castle played little part in the Civil Wars (1644-1651), afterwards Cromwell wanted to remove the possibility of it being used as a defence against his forces and ordered it to be 'slighted', effectively demanding it be pulled down and renderered useless as a fortification. The result of an attempt to bring down the South-east tower by gunpowder can still be seen in the 'leaning tower'.
In the 18th century the castle came into the hands of the Marquesses of Bute, who did little with it until the fourth Marquess, who had made a fortune in coal and industry in South Wales, started what was essentially a job-creation scheme in 1928, trying to recreate as far as possible the structure as it would have been at the height of its power. Work continued until 1939, and some restarted after the war, the site being handed over to the government in 1950. It is now looked after by CADW.
For more information, see:
www.castlewales.com/caerphil.html
www.manyfoto.com/uk/uk/Bedwas,wales.html