Friday, 11 June 2021

Llandovery Castle and mayhem in the Library

 



There's not a great deal left of the castle I'm afraid, and I didn't want to climb up through pollen-y grass to take closer views. The earliest castle here was begun (in wood) by Richard Fitz Pons, who was granted the Lordship of the cantref.  However, it was lost for several generations to the Welsh Princes of Deheubarth, united under the Banner of the Lord of Dinefwr - the castle and estate which is in present-day Llandeilo in the Towy Valley.  Edward I, who was very keen on getting Wales under control, finally got his hands on it in 1177.  Various Llywelyns got it back and lost it.  The statue above is of local Carmarthenshire landowner Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fechan, who joined the forces of Owain Glyndwr's rebellion, and was hung, drawn, and quartered in Llandovery by Henry IV's forces. 

 It's a Grade II* listed 13th C castle, which was built in stone by the Normans , replacing the earlier wooden castle.  It was burnt in the 16th C and abandoned after that.




Sorry - not very legible and I cut the end off the paragraphs.  My apologies.



I hope you can see these well enough to read, should  so inclined...



These beautiful wild flowers have been planted in the car park and really make it beautiful. 


This room is looking gloomy and it's hard to see the true colour on the walls!  Work has paused until we can borrow someone big and strong to move the bookcase, which started off life as a solid oak wardrobe.  There are stacks of books everywhere!

Have a good weekend.

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11 comments:

  1. Terra 11 June 2021 at 18:29

    The info on the castle history and the lords and princes and that landowner who was hung, drawn and quartered, is fascinating.

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  2. mamasmercantile12 June 2021 at 00:30

    You took us on a wonderful tour. Impressive bookcase.

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    1. Bovey Belle12 June 2021 at 09:48

      I think it cost us £5 at auction about 30 years ago! Glad you found the post of interest.

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  3. Mary12 June 2021 at 06:11

    Love the wildflowers--such a pretty combination of daisies and poppies.
    Best of luck finding a couple of sets of strong arms to move that bookcase. I've been known to take some big risks moving heavy furniture by myself by various unorthodox methods...and even though often successful, definitely not the smartest thing to do.

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    1. Bovey Belle12 June 2021 at 09:47

      Aren't they pretty? For once a Council-planting gone right (unless it's a local community planting which seems more likely!)

      Have found someone big and strong so will get it pulled out, hastily paint, and move it back in again.

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  4. Debby12 June 2021 at 20:22

    What is the symbolism of the empty clothes statue?

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    1. Bovey Belle12 June 2021 at 23:09

      I had to go and look this up. I always thought this was rather akin to a stainless steel Darth Vader, personally, but apparently it should be seen as "representing a "brave nobody", with the empty helmet and armour representing both the universal nature of Llewelyn's actions and the violence of his death." So there you have it.

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    2. Debby17 June 2021 at 17:39

      Oooh I like the idea of a brave nobody. The world is full of them, isn't it? But we don't see them either.

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  5. Morning's Minion13 June 2021 at 16:29

    I think that as of posting time you'd reached the point in room decorating when one's mantra becomes 'It will get done, it will look lovely, I will survive this....'
    I'm thinking the upkeep of a 'castle' must be horrendous!

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    1. Bovey Belle14 June 2021 at 05:23

      Easier to let a castle fall down than restore it (cheaper too!)

      Our personal "little castle" here is slowly coming on and I shall spend this afternoon painting behind the bookcase . . .

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