Castles!- Large Photos

[DonaCatalina]

In honor of my brand-new nephew Kai, we're going to Wales today. Castle Rhuddlan is a Welsh castle located in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire. It was erected by King Edward I beginning in 1277, but was not completed until 1282.
Rhuddlan Castle viewed from the bank of the River ClwydThe castle sits alongside the River Clwyd, which allowed the castle to be provisioned through a special canal built for that purpose. During the castle's lengthy construction, the Clwyd was straightened and dredged to facilitate deliveries to the castle. Rhuddlan was planned as a concentric castle, boasting twin-tower gatehouses in its inner ward and small towers and turrets in its outer ward.

[Richard de Graeme]

Would that be Edward, the Black Prince of Wales?

Dona Catalina,

Thank you for your illuminating travelogue of castles. It is always interesting and the beauty and architectural prowess of these historical places is awe inspiring.

Gracias

[dbaldock]

On next Sunday, January 18, 2009, the Home & Garden TV (HGTV) Network will be airing a show called "Keys to the Castle - France."  Host John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness in Dr Who & Torchwood) will be visiting four French Castles, where their owners will give him a tour of their homes.

Take Care,
David Baldock

[DonaCatalina]

Montaigle Castle in Belgium.
This is a great ruin which origins date back to the 11th century. The name Montaigle (meaning eagle rock) was only used after the 14th century, before that the castle was named Faing after a powerful family in this region. Guy of Dampierre, Count of Namur and an important historical figure in the Battle of the Golden Spurs, had a fortress constructed at Montaigle over the ruins of a Roman reinforcement at the beginning of the 14th century. It was enlarged and served as a residence in the 15th century. Then, in 1554 it was abandoned as the French troops of Henri II advanced. It was burned down shortly after the residents fled.

[captmarga]

On next Sunday, January 18, 2009, the Home & Garden TV (HGTV) Network will be airing a show called "Keys to the Castle - France."  Host John Barrowman (Captain Jack Harkness in Dr Who & Torchwood) will be visiting four French Castles, where their owners will give him a tour of their homes.

Take Care,
David Baldock

Oh, that will be neat.  have to pin that time down and be sure to watch. 

Capt Marga

[DonaCatalina]

Château de Tarcienne in Belgium was mentioned for the first time in 1228, when Lambert de Tarcienne and his brothers shared the village with the priory of Oignies. A farm rebuilt in the XVII-XIXth centuries encompassed a former donjon, probably from the late XIVth century, and still bearing the engraved name of Johan de Tarsinez. There are, however, very few historical records on the village, which is supposed to have belonged to the domain of Thy-le-Château, and therefore to the County of Namur. Known lords of Tarcienne are Ferdinand-François de Croÿ, Charles-Ignace de Colins (1672) and Guillaume-Alexandre de Melun. The castle built by Colins in 1674 in medieval style was recently saved from destruction by its today's owners, the Roosens family.
The military cemetery has the tombs of 394 French and 178 German soldiers, killed during the battle that took place near Tarcienne on 23-24 August 1914; Prince Friedrich von Sachsen-Meiningen was killed there on 23 August.


Large Photo Here


More Photos Here

[DonaCatalina]

Today we visit Gloomy Cawdor Castle in Scotland. Not really all that gloomy today, The earliest documented date for the castle is 1454, the date a building license was granted to William, Thane of Cawdor (or Calder, as the name was sometimes spelled). However, some portions of the castle may precede that date. Architectural historians have dated the style of stonework in the oldest portion of the castle to approximately 1380.
The entranceOne curious feature of the castle is that it was built around a small, living holly tree, the remains of which may still be seen in the lowest level of the tower. Modern scientific testing has shown that the tree died in approximately 1372 (lending credence to the earlier date of the castle's first construction). The castle is perhaps best known for its literary connection to William Shakespeare's tragedy Macbeth, the title character of which was made Thane of Cawdor.






========Garderobe

[captmarga]

The tartan carpet is too neat!!!  Great "Classic castle"!

Capt Marga

[DonaCatalina]

Durham Castle was founded in 1072.
Built as a projection of the Norman king's power in the north of England, as the population of England in the north remained "wild and fickle" following the disruption of the Norman Conquest in 1066. It is an excellent example of the early motte and bailey castles favoured by the Normans. The holder of the office of Bishop of Durham was appointed by the King to exercise royal authority on his behalf: the Castle was his seat. Afterwards it remained the seat of the Bishops of Durham.

[DonaCatalina]

Château de Villandry in France is renowned for its lawns and gardens. The interior remains as sumptous as it ever was. Acquired in the early 16th century by Jean Le Breton, France's Controller-General for War under King Francis I, a new château was constructed around the original 14th-century keep where King Philip II of France once met Richard I of England to discuss peace.

[DonaCatalina]

Today's castle was suggested by Richard de Graeme. Ashford Castle was built in 1228 by the Anglo-Norman de Burgo family following their defeat of the O'Connors. The Estate was purchased in 1852 by Sir Benjamin Guinness, who extended the estate to 26,000 acres (110 km2), built new roads, planted thousands of trees and added two large Victorian style extensions.

[captmarga]

Château de Villandry in France is renowned for its lawns and gardens. The interior remains as sumptous as it ever was. Acquired in the early 16th century by Jean Le Breton, France's Controller-General for War under King Francis I, a new château was constructed around the original 14th-century keep where King Philip II of France once met Richard I of England to discuss peace.

Lovely - Villandry is on the list of "to visit".  Except that the black-and-white gallery is not at Villandry, but at Chenonceaux.  I've dance Petit Vriens in the gallery...

Capt Marga

[DonaCatalina]

Today we go north to visit Schloss Reichenstein
along the Rhine. Coordinates: 50°0'18"N 7°51'12"E. During the 13th century, Burg Reichenstein had been the fortress of Philip von Hohenfels, an outlaw knight who "robbed ladies, imprisoned the clergy, mistreated vassals and plundered merchants." It appears they were a rough bunch even by the local standards of the time. On the first of October in 1273, Rudolf I, founder of the Habsburg dynasty, was elected Emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and King of Germany. Four years later, at nearby Burg Rheinstein , he tried Philip von Hohenfels and ordered his execution. The ownership of Burg Reichenstein then passed to Philip's son, Dietrich, who was evidently every bit the outlaw that his father was.

Judging by the foundation stones, experts have estimated that the earliest construction on Burg Reichenstein began in the early 11th century,
Today, Castle Reichenstein is a hotel/restaurant.

[DonaCatalina]

Beaumaris Castle is our destination today.
Beaumaris Castle (beau mareys - fair marsh) was the last of Edward I's fortresses in North Wales. Work started in 1295 and continued for 35 years, with over 3,500 workmen employed at the peak of construction. Finances and material ran out when King Edward turned his attentions towards Scotland, and the castle was not completed, although an impressive £15,000 was expended on its construction.

[DonaCatalina]

Something different, we are going to visit the Portuguese Castelo do Hormoz in Iran on Hormuz Island. This red stone ruin was built during the time of Alfonso V of Portugal.