Castles!- Large Photos

[DonaCatalina]

We're going to Wales to visit Ewloe Castle. It stands on a promontory overlooking the junction of two streams, but is overwhelmed by higher ground at the south. Its position near the English border was strategic, controlling the road to Chester. It stood within the forest of Ewloe, surrounded by woods and in a great position for hunting.
Ruins of Ewloe CastleThe castle is not large, and its condition is now very poor. It is endowed of two courtyards, with a U-shaped keep inside the triangular upper ward. This layout suggest the former presence on the site of an earlier castle of the motte and bailey type. The curtain of the upper ward forms a sloping stone revetment for the motte. The outer curtain is for great part reduced to just its footings. At the western angle of the outer ward, the ruins of a circular tower, nearly full height in part, are perched on a rocky knoll. This can only been reached from the wall walk level.
There have apparently been cases of ghostly encounters in the Castle and Wepre park. A ghost of a headless monk and another ghost was that of a nun, who had betrayed her faith and had recently given birth. She was running to hide the baby, when she tripped and dropped the baby. Thinking the baby was dead, the nun threw herself down the hill and fell into the large pond at the bottom and drowned. The baby was unharmed, and to this day the nun remains to haunt that area of the park. Thease are all apparent sightings that can not be proved.

[DonaCatalina]

Today we're heading back across the channel to Spain. Castillo de Jadraque is very sober in profile, with smooth walls terminating in crenellations. Arab chronicles mention a castle built here in 801 to protect the valley of the Henares and the access to Guadalajara.
The primitive castle of Sacharaque was partially demolished by Don Pedro Gonzalez de Mendoza, at the time bishop of Siguenza, because it was in ruins. Years later, at the end of the fifteenth century, it was rebuilt.
The most impressive feature of the castle is its position on a hill that looks as if it had been created especially for such a castle.

[DonaCatalina]

A little bit more of a classic type, Arundel Castle in West Sussex, England is a restored medieval castle. The original keep is built on a motte and bailey foundation. The castle dates from the reign of Edward the Confessor (r. 1042–1066) and was completed by Roger de Montgomery, who became the first to hold the earldom of Arundel by the graces of William the Conqueror. The castle was damaged in the English Civil War and then restored in the 18th and 19th centuries.

From the 11th century onward, the castle has served as a hereditary stately home to several families (with a few and brief reversions to the Crown) and is currently the principal seat of the Duke of Norfolk and his family.

[Lady Renee Buchanan]

I started the page from the bottom up, and as soon as I saw the first few photos, I thought, "Gee, that looks familiar."  And then laughed when I saw it's Arundel.  It's like, a half mile, from my sister-in law's house, and my kids and their cousins spent every visit running up and down the (no longer in use) moats, and would always get told off.

I will actually be there next week, as we fly over the pond to visit Steve's mum & dad in Weymouth, and then a weekend in Arundel at Marian & Dave's.

I want to bring my garb, run around castles, and take pictures.  Steve thinks I'm nuts.  He won't do it, so no garb. 

[Tammy]

It wouldn't matter to me if my spouse wanted to...I'd do it!!! I'm so envious of your trip!! I hope y'all have a blast on the island!!
Go play in the castles with your garb...if you don't...you'll regret it!!!! 

[DonaCatalina]

Another Welsh Castle for Lady Renee, even if she might not get time to visit this one.
Penrhyn Castle is a country house in Llandegai, Bangor, Gwynedd, North Wales, in the form of a Norman castle. It was originally a medieval fortified manor house, founded by Ednyfed Fychan. In 1438, Ioan ap Gruffudd was granted a licence to crenellate and he founded the stone castle and added a tower house. Samuel Wyatt reconstructed the property in the 1780s.

[Peddlin]

Lady Renee -

Have a wonderful trip! Stay safe and know that we are all sufficiently jealous. And please, bring back pictures - garb or not!

[brier patch charlie]

Take me with you Lady Renee, I will happly wear my kilt the whole time. Please, Please take me!
But if not, I hope ya'll have a good time and fair weather, NO RAIN!

[DonaCatalina]

Today our castle is Ljubljana Castle is a medieval castle on Castle Hill in Ljubljana, Slovenia. According to archeological surveys, the area of the present castle has been settled continuously since 1200 BC, when the first settlements and later fortifications were built.
The castle was first mentioned in 1144 as a seat of the Carinthian dukes of the House of Spanheim.

[Jack Daw at Work]

The third-to-the last pic is making me queazy!  Actually, these are very good shots.  Thanks.

[DonaCatalina]

Killaghy Castle in Ireland for today in honor of the start of the North Texas Irish Festival. Killaghy is a Norman castle which has existed since the first lord of Killaghy or Compsey, named St Aubyn or Tobin, built his castle there in the 13th century. The castle has been modified to accomodate a bed & breakfast.

[DonaCatalina]

We're going to stay in Ireland today and visit Ballynahinch Castle.
Ballynahinch Castle - now a hotel - is now a sporting estate of the Martin family, one of whose better known members is 'Humanity Dick' founder of the RSPCA.
The history of Ballynahinch Castle goes back over 700 years. It was the home of 'The Ferocious O'Flahertys" and one of its most famous residents was Grace O'Malley from Mayo who married Donal O'Flaherty in 1546.

The lands of the O'Flaherty clan stretched to within 15 miles of Galway city on the east and into County Mayo to the north-west. The clan leaders were the Lords of Connaught and Masters of the castles of Ballynahinch, Aughanure, Doon, Moycullen, Bunowen and Renvyle.
Grace O'Malley-O'Flaherty is well known for her meeting with another famous queen - Elizabeth I - in 1593. Grace was 63 years old at the time and an awesome and formidable lady. She certainly stood proud and erect next to the English Monarch. Although Irish was her native tongue, Grace conversed comfortably with her equal in Latin. The English court of the day wrote:
"In the wild grandeur of her mien erect and high before an English Queen she dauntless stood"

[DonaCatalina]

Today we're detouring to sunny Italy. Castle Romena sits high on a ridge above the river Arno. There is documentation of the existence of a powerful and towered castle at Romena beginning from 1008.

[DonaCatalina]

If this is Monday, we must be in France. 
Château de Tennessus is something of a mystery to historians. No one knows who built the original keep at Tennessus. The first known mention of the "tower, fortress, lodging, and village of Tennessus" is in a document dating from 1404, when it was owned, in his wife's name, by Challot des Près, lord of Fontenioux-Rolland.
At the time of the siege of Parthenay by the Dauphin's army in 1419, the Château belonged to Guillaume de la Court, one of the rebels against royal authority. On the orders of the Duke of Vertus, a detachment was sent to capture and destroy Tennessus; but the castle held out for as long as that of Parthenay, and was still resisting at the time of Parthenay's surrender on 31 August.
The restored castle is now a bed & breakfast.

[Lady Penelope]

I was wondering if I could request a castle? I did a search,
and I don't think you've done it yet, so I hope it's ok.
I was wondering if you could showcase Hautefort Castle.