Conwy Castle is our first stop of the day. This is a medieval fortification built by Edward I, during his conquest of Wales, between 1283 and 1289. Theccastle played an important part in several wars. It withstood the siege of Madog ap Llywelyn in the winter of 1294–95, acted as a temporary haven for Richard II in 1399 and was held for several months by forces loyal to Owain Glyndŵr in 1401. Following the outbreak of the Civil War in 1642, the castle was held by forces loyal to Charles I, holding out until 1646 when it surrendered to the Parliamentary armies. It was ruined in 1665. It might be a ruin but it is spectacular from every side!
Instead of spending time in the castle we walked along the wall which still encircles the old part of the town. It was amazing to walk along this and it gave great views. Edward built the wall, the town and the castle simultaneously. The castle was actually completed this time unlike the previous couple we have seen.
The real irony is that after all the expense and bloodshed the medieval kings caused to subdue the Welsh with these castles, every castle in Wales now flies the Welsh flag and charges the English to enter!
We left Conwy and made our way to Llandudno to see the Great Orme mine.
These mines were uncovered in 1987 during a scheme to landscape an area of the the Great Orme, which is a limestone headland right on the northern coast of Wales. The copper mines discovered below the ground represent one of the most astounding archaeological discoveries of recent time. Dating back 4,000 years to the Bronze Age they radically changed the view that the Romans introduced metal to Britain.
Over the past 21 years mining engineers, cavers and archaeologists have been slowly uncovering more tunnels and large areas of the surface landscape to reveal what is now thought to be the largest Prehistoric mine, so far discovered in the World. It was just amazing to be able to walk through some of the tunnels excavated so far and to see some of the thousands of tools that have been found so far.
I had to overcome my fear of being enclosed underground to walk through but it was well worth it.
Then we start the journey back south. We call into Chirk castle which was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer de Chirk, uncle of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March as part of King Edward I's chain of fortresses across the north of Wales. The castle was sold for 5,000 pounds to Sir Thomas Myddelton in 1595 and his descendants continue to live in part of the castle. It is the last Welsh castle from the reign of Edward I that's still lived in today. In the original medieval section it has a medieval tower, dungeon and living quarters which can all be seen. I certainly wouldn't like to be put in the dungeon. It was freezing.
The following are from the original medieval part of the castle
Geoff in the dungeon. Maybe he will do what he is told next time!
Landlines absolutely everywhere over here. Geoff is in paradise!
Beautiful gardens
Front garden. I am sure this is what my castle would have originally looked like!
Mum I am proud of you going in the underground tunnels
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