English vs Welsh Castles Warning Photographs Slow Load time

**Denny Crane!** · June 07, 2006, 07:17 AM

El Guapo and God contesting english vs welsh castles

Ok here we go.

Top of my list is Alnwick castle.

Undoubtably one of the best castles in England famous for its use in successive Harry potters, Robin Hood Prince of Thieves, Elizabeth, Ivanhoe and Mary Queen of Scots and it did see action when besieged by William the Lion of Scotland.

Aesthetically one of the most pleasing castles to look at it, it is functional having seen action and updated in later years in case it happened again. It is large being ample room to swing many cats.

Peter

**God** · June 07, 2006, 10:34 AM

Caerphilly Castle

Caerphilly Castle is the largest castle in Britain after Windsor, its large-scale use of water for defence and the fact that it is the first truly concentric castle in Britain. Of the time of its building in the late 13th century, it was a revolutionary masterpiece of military planning

Gilbert de Clare, lord of Glamorgan, built this castle. His purpose was to secure the area and prevent lowland south Wales from falling into the hands of the Welsh leader Llywelyn the Last (what a legend), who controlled most of mid and north Wales. He had seized the upland district of Senghenydd, in which Caerphilly lies, from the Welsh in 1266 to act as a buffer against Llywelyn's southward ambitions. Llywelyn realised the threat and tried but failed to prevent the castle from being built; it was begun on 11 April 1268, was attacked by Llywelyn in 1270, and was begun again in 1271. This time it was completed without hindrance. Its message was not lost on Llywelyn, who retreated northwards.

Plus it has a leaning tower! (note the first pic)

...and they have trebuchets there!

**Denny Crane!** · June 07, 2006, 11:31 AM

Wow good first salvo that is mighty fine architecture, bleak but impressive.

Lot of pictures in this one but this place holds a special place in my heart. It is my first
experience with castles and without a doubt the most impressive castle in Britain.

Standing high on a basalt outcrop, overlooking the North Sea, it is visible for many miles, and from its battlements offers views of Lindisfarne Castle on Holy Island, the Farne Islands and the Cheviot Hills.

The site of the castle has a history of occupation dating back to the 1st century BC. One of the oldest buildings remaining is a large Norman Keep, probably built by Henry II. In 1464, during the Wars of the Roses, Bamburgh became the first castle to succumb to cannon fire, suffering heavy damage.

It has many many impressive cannons arrayed around the castle where is has an amazing view and domineering effect on the countryside hundreds of feet below. The architecture is impressive though some fortifications have had to be restored in the 18th century.

Peter

**God** · June 07, 2006, 11:50 AM

Conwy Castle

"Conwy is by any standards one of the great fortresses of medieval Europe." - the Welsh Historic Trust

Construction of Conwy began in 1283. The castle was an important part of King Edward I's plan of surrounding Wales in "an iron ring of castles" to subdue the rebellious population. The highly defensible wall Edward built around the town was intended to protect the English colony planted at Conwy. The native Welsh population were violently opposed to English occupation of their homeland. (Damn right)

Today, Conwy is approached from the east via the A55 through North Wales. The beauty of this section of the country rivals anything in Britain. Approaching Conwy, the castle seems to suddenly rise out of the hills. The majestic old suspension bridge connecting the castle with the main peninsula, depicted in many representations of the castle over the years, still guards the main approach to the castle.

**Denny Crane!** · June 09, 2006, 04:29 PM

Sorry it took me a while to get back to this

To me this is one of the most recognisable photos of a castle, it is the stereotypical archetypal look of a castle and a very famous shot.

Bodiam castle

The appearance of Bodiam Castle is exactly how most people imagine a medieval castle should look like, with its square of walls, a round tower at each corner, and a square tower midway along each wall, entirely surrounded by a moat. That it looks so perfect and picturesque may not be by accident for many people have debated whether the castle was really built as a defensive fortress or as an elaborate stately home.

A royal licence to crenellate his manor house, in order to protect the local area from a possible French invasion, was given to Edward Dallyngrigge in 1385. This wealthy veteran of the Hundred Years War used the licence as an excuse to build an entirely new castle nearby. Little is known about the castle during the middle ages

Peter

**God** · June 09, 2006, 04:47 PM

It's time for the most famous Welsh castle...

Harlech

As if its spectacular situation, foreboding might, and great power were not sufficient to ensure the fame of this magnificent castle, Harlech is also inseparably linked in Welsh myth with the tragic heroine of Branwen, the daughter of Llyr, of the Mabinogion. Mythology aside, it is small wonder that this is one of the most familiar strongholds in Britain. Seen from the bluff of rock to the south of the town, the view of castle, sea and mountain panorama is truly breathtaking. But not only has it an unsurpassed natural setting, as a piece of castle-building Harlech is also unrivalled. Even after seven centuries, it remains a testament to a military architect of genius, Master James of St. George. Here he adapted the natural strength of the site to the defensive requirements of the age, and created a building which combines a marvellous sense of majesty with great beauty of line and form.

Harlech was begun during King Edward I's second campaign in north Wales. It was another one of the "iron ring" of castles built to defend against the Welsh. Following the fall of the Welsh stronghold of Castell y Bere, King Edward's forces arrived at Harlech in April, 1283, and building work began almost immediately.

Situated high upon a rocky outcrop, its seaward side was defended by sheer cliffs, while a deep moat protected the other sides. It was designed by Master James of St George, who personally supervised its construction, ensuring that it was completed in just seven years (1283-1290).

*sings men of Harlech*

El Guapo: How many more castles are we going to show?

**Denny Crane!** · June 09, 2006, 06:48 PM

I think one more each and then open it up to some sort of judging.

So hard to decide there is windsor, the tower of london, warkworth castle is a monster of a castle, skipton, rochester, richmond, raby*, licoln, lewes, leeds, Herstmonceux

Raby Castle is a large fortified mansion house that has gradually developed into an impressive stately home. John, 3rd Baron Nevill, obtained a licence to crenellate in 1378, although this probably meant adding fortifications to an existing building. The castle evolved to become an extensive residence of towers and ranges of apartments built around a small courtyard. The largest tower is Clifford's Tower, 24.7 metres (81ft) tall, but the most interesting is the Kitchen Tower which still retains its original medieval form.

The Nevill family were one of the most powerful and important in Northern England, but they lost all their lands after leading the failed 'Uprising of the North', in support of Mary Queen of Scots, in 1569. The castle was held by the Crown until 1626 when it was sold to Sir Henry Vane the Elder. In 1648 a Royalist force besieged the castle held by Sir George Vane, but the damage it sustained was quickly repaired and over the following two centuries the castle and park were transformed into the palatial property that it is today.

So thats it, I didn't bother including any actual palaces since I don't think they count. One thing I have noticed is the welsh are more bleak and functional. Generally bigger mean looking, English are less functional (in cases) with a lot of architecture having been added in the last three centuries. Whether that is a good/bad thing I don't know I can appreciate both.

Final salvo then go for it.

PEter

**God** · June 09, 2006, 07:03 PM

Caernarfon Castle

Caernarvon is architecturally one of the most impressive of all of the castles in Wales. It's defensive capabilities were not as good as those of Edward I's other castles such as Harlech and Beaumaris, but Caernarvon was instead intended as a seat of power - and as a symbol of English dominance over the subdued Welsh.

Caernarvon is located at the southern end of the Menai Strait between north Wales and Anglesey, 8 miles south west of Bangor. During Edward I's invasions of Wales, this was strategically an excellent place to build a castle; Anglesey was referred to as the garden of Wales, providing agriculturally rich land close to the poorer land on north Wales. The Menai Strait also allowed speedy access between the north Welsh coast and the western coast, and was therefore important for Edward to control for supplying outposts such as Harlech and Aberystwyth.

Also note that every castle I've shown has at least 1 Welsh flag. Your English castles have no English flags. Where's the patriotism?

EDIT: Those last 2 pictures aren't very good quality - I didn't notice before. Probably because I was half asleep when I posted them. I wont change them now.

**Denny Crane!** · June 09, 2006, 07:16 PM

Originally Posted by God

at least 1 Welsh flag. Your English castles have no English flags. Where's the patriotism?

EDIT: Those last 2 pictures aren't very good quality - I didn't notice before. Probably because I was half asleep when I posted them. I wont change them now.

Patriotism? Risk getting arrested for flying a flag no chance.

I had this conversation with someone from the USA in the pub yesterday about the lack of patriotism in this country and we came to the conclusion its because England is great but the people are :wub:s so there is a distinct lack of good feeling towards the place

Thats one damn fine castle btw.

peter

**God** · June 09, 2006, 07:18 PM

Originally Posted by El Guapo

Thats one damn fine castle btw.

Of course it is. It's Welsh

So now what then? How do we decide how much I've beaten you by?

**Denny Crane!** · June 09, 2006, 07:21 PM

Originally Posted by God

Of course it is. It's Welsh

So now what then? How do we decide how much I've beaten you by?

God knows I was kind of hoping for about five different opinions on how much better I am

If none are forth coming I will Badger a few people into it, they'll give in after the 15th PM :original:

Peter

**King Henry V** · June 10, 2006, 04:15 AM

Originally Posted by God

Also note that every castle I've shown has at least 1 Welsh flag. Your English castles have no English flags. Where's the patriotism?

That's because you Welsh are desperately trying to make your castles Welsh, when they were all built by the English.
Who here also finds that all the Welsh castles look a bit shabby? They all look as though they need a lot of repair. Warwick and the Tower of London are also my favourite.

**God** · June 10, 2006, 04:29 AM

Originally Posted by King Henry V

That's because you Welsh are desperately trying to make your castles Welsh, when they were all built by the English.

Yeah, but they've been in Wales for 700 odd years so they're ours now...

Is there anyone here who prefers the Welsh castles? Fine, they're falling apart but then again I'd rather be in Caerphilly than Bodiam if I were being attacked by an army...

**Tom Paine** · June 10, 2006, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by God

Yeah, but they've been in Wales for 700 odd years so they're ours now...

What, is this deliberate provocation of our ageold debate?

Is there anyone here who prefers the Welsh castles? Fine, they're falling apart but then again I'd rather be in Caerphilly than Bodiam if I were being attacked by an army...

Not prefers, I admit, but the Welshdo have some seriously fine csatles. Even if they were built by the English in some cases, the Welsh have both a surfeit and some excellent ones.

**Insurgent** · July 16, 2008, 04:17 PM

Originally Posted by King Henry V

That's because you Welsh are desperately trying to make your castles Welsh, when they were all built by the English.
Who here also finds that all the Welsh castles look a bit shabby? They all look as though they need a lot of repair. Warwick and the Tower of London are also my favourite.

Lol maybe because they're much older than most of the English castles. These castles were requested to be built by the English to keep the Welsh under contol, however I'm sure that many welsh people worked to construct them, so they are pretty welsh.

Also, they were used by the welsh in rebellion against the English- the English's creations were being used against them lol!

Harlech castle is my fave btw.

**Publius** · June 09, 2006, 07:27 PM

Hmmm, God's pics have some very impressive architecture which is stunning purely for its size and grandiose. However, I am a fairly superficial person, and the castles posted by El Guapo are (to me) much more aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, my vote goes the EG. Great effort by both of you though - I think I am going to get a new desktop of one of these castles, they are simply beautiful

**Denny Crane!** · June 09, 2006, 07:33 PM

Originally Posted by Publius

Hmmm, God's pics have some very impressive architecture which is stunning purely for its size and grandiose. However, I am a fairly superficial person, and the castles posted by El Guapo are (to me) much more aesthetically pleasing. Therefore, my vote goes the EG. Great effort by both of you though - I think I am going to get a new desktop of one of these castles, they are simply beautiful

The Bodiam castle pic

Is one of the finest and most famous castle pictures ever and is my desktop background now (the 1280*1020 version obviously)

Peter

**Publius** · June 09, 2006, 07:37 PM

Actually, I already used it as a background pic some time ago, lol. Currently I have the castle aggghhhhh (from Monty Python . . . ) as my background, but I was thinking of possibly using one of the first two you posted. They are very nice. Thanks