Llandovery Castle

 

I had a dental check up in Llandovery yesterday, and as I was parked beside the castle, here are a few photos to remind you what it's like.  This Darth Vader- like figure is a tribute to Llewellyn ap Gruffydd Fychan, a Carmarthenshire landowner, who was hung, drawn and quartered in the market place there for his part in the rebellion of Owain Glyndwr in the early 15th C. Henry IV made an example of him because he refused to betray his Prince and his country. 

There's not a great deal left of the castle I'm afraid, but that is fairly common - think of Builth, just the ramparts left to show it was ever there. 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 and it was finally abandoned around 1490.  

Looking out over the town.  The crane was associated with the piece-by-piece felling of quite a large (Ash?) tree on the edge of the Bailey.

Yesterday was a bit full-on. When I returned from Brecon, having driven a triangular route to do some necessary shopping there, instead of having the chap from Care and Repair fitting new handrails upstairs, there was a lady here in advance of him to do a full house assessment of Keith's needs. She was early. Then there were phone calls I had to make andI  kept getting cut off when I was speaking to the solicitor about wheelchair access to their premises and it was all a Bit Much.

Very cold here overnight - minus 6.  Hoping the lanes won't be icy when we have to venture forth later.