Longtown Castle
'Marches': The border area between England and Wales.
Above: The route we took from Hereford, where we met our guide who accompanied (and directed us) along the route from Hereford Cathedral to Hay-on-Wye. You'll notice that half way between the A438 (green) and the narrow country road between Ewyas Harold and Hay-on-Wye (red) lies the Golden Valley. Longtown is circled in red.
From Ewyas Harold to Hay-on-Wye, we were not an an A or B road, and at times were on more of a path that I would never have let Kevin wander off onto if we had been alone. It was wonderful that we had someone, a knowledgeable native of the area, who was willing to show us where to go and how to get there!
Again, from castlewales.com:
"Nestled close to the foreboding Black Mountains, along the backroads of Herefordshire, Longtown Castle has survived the centuries with dignity. However, your initial view of the castle may be confusing, as well as intriguing. The minor road into the tiny medieval town actually cuts through the outer baileys of the site, a surprising effect when you realize you have just driven through the castle grounds! Slightly camouflaged behind a line of trees, the motte suddenly springs into view, looming high above your head. It is an exhilarating but equally threatening vision, one that certainly must have intimidated anyone contemplating an assault in the Middle Ages.
"Longtown Castle was built in the 1180's by the Norman lord, Walter de Lacy, inside a rectangular earthen enclosure that may date to the Roman occupation of Britain. Fortified during the 12th century, the rectangular enclosure was bisected by another earthen wall, forming the two outer baileys of the castle which sat side-by-side to the south of the motte. In addition, a twin-towered gatehouse, protected with a portcullis, was added to the new outer curtain which enclosed the rectangular area. The gatehouse still exists, though extensively ruined."
If you check that map again, you'll see that between Longtown and Hay-on-Way is Craswall, where we ate Sunday dinner - at the Bull's Head. Fantastic!
Let's meet there for Sunday dinner!
The Golden Valley
(with sheep)
As cute as they can be!
Their bleat has a definite Welsh inflection.
***
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'Marches': The border area between England and Wales.
From castlewales.com
"The English border counties are full of some of the finest motte and bailey castles still in existence in Britain. The castles were the property of Norman lords who built the strongholds in an effort to maintain control over the unruly Welsh*. One of these is Longtown Castle, a fascinating Marcher castle. Even though this motte and bailey fortification sits about 6 miles to the north-west of the very Welsh border castle at Grosmont, it is actually located in England. This juxtaposition of Welsh and English castles shows just how mixed up the Welsh Marches have been since the Norman Conquest. Town names and dialects also reflect the transitional nature of the Marches."
*No relation to Eileen or Samantha, my good blogging friends, I am sure.
*No relation to Eileen or Samantha, my good blogging friends, I am sure.
Above: The route we took from Hereford, where we met our guide who accompanied (and directed us) along the route from Hereford Cathedral to Hay-on-Wye. You'll notice that half way between the A438 (green) and the narrow country road between Ewyas Harold and Hay-on-Wye (red) lies the Golden Valley. Longtown is circled in red.
From Ewyas Harold to Hay-on-Wye, we were not an an A or B road, and at times were on more of a path that I would never have let Kevin wander off onto if we had been alone. It was wonderful that we had someone, a knowledgeable native of the area, who was willing to show us where to go and how to get there!
Again, from castlewales.com:
"Nestled close to the foreboding Black Mountains, along the backroads of Herefordshire, Longtown Castle has survived the centuries with dignity. However, your initial view of the castle may be confusing, as well as intriguing. The minor road into the tiny medieval town actually cuts through the outer baileys of the site, a surprising effect when you realize you have just driven through the castle grounds! Slightly camouflaged behind a line of trees, the motte suddenly springs into view, looming high above your head. It is an exhilarating but equally threatening vision, one that certainly must have intimidated anyone contemplating an assault in the Middle Ages.
"Longtown Castle was built in the 1180's by the Norman lord, Walter de Lacy, inside a rectangular earthen enclosure that may date to the Roman occupation of Britain. Fortified during the 12th century, the rectangular enclosure was bisected by another earthen wall, forming the two outer baileys of the castle which sat side-by-side to the south of the motte. In addition, a twin-towered gatehouse, protected with a portcullis, was added to the new outer curtain which enclosed the rectangular area. The gatehouse still exists, though extensively ruined."
If you check that map again, you'll see that between Longtown and Hay-on-Way is Craswall, where we ate Sunday dinner - at the Bull's Head. Fantastic!
(with sheep)
Their bleat has a definite Welsh inflection.
***
Buy Any Five, Get One FREE
Natural, Handcrafted Vegan Soap
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