#Chepstow Castle

[connectparanormal]

Haunted Chepstow Castle

One of the most historically significant and aesthetically stunning castles in Britain is Chepstow Castle, which is located spectacularly on a limestone cliff overlooking the River Wye in Wales. Built soon after the Norman Conquest in 1067, Chepstow Castle stands as one of the nation's first stone fortresses. Its strategic location on the England-Wales border served as a defensive bastion and established Norman authority over the unstable Welsh Marches. Chepstow Castle has witnessed social transformation, military wars, and political turmoil over the ages, and it now serves as a reminder of the creativity and aspirations of its architects. It is now thought to have ghosts as well. William FitzOsbern, a close associate of William the Conqueror, is credited with erecting the fortress when he was given the responsibility of protecting the recently conquered area. As an enduring symbol of Norman domination, Chepstow was built primarily of stone from the beginning, in contrast to many other early Norman fortresses that were created as wooden motte-and-bailey buildings. Its design has elements that were novel for their period and represents the changing architectural style of medieval castles. Later occupants enlarged and altered the Great Tower, one of the castle's earliest remaining sections, and it serves as a strong reminder of its early Norman origins.

Chepstow Castle saw numerous changes over the Middle Ages, each of which reflected the shifting interests and requirements of its residents. During the 12th and 13th centuries, the castle expanded to incorporate more defensive walls, gates, and towers, transforming it into a formidable stronghold. Interestingly, the early 13th-century wooden castle doors are some of the oldest castle doors still standing in Europe. These substantial, iron-studded doors demonstrate the castle's emphasis on protection and resiliency during a time of recurrent conflict. The plan of the castle became more intricate with each stage of building and restoration, transforming it from a fortification to a home worthy of its aristocratic owners. Owain Glyndŵr's uprising in the early 15th century was one of the historical wars in which Chepstow Castle was central. Withstanding sieges and offering safety to its defenders, the castle functioned as a stronghold of English power as tensions between the Welsh and English grew. During the 17th-century English Civil War, Royalist soldiers took control of it, subsequently handing it over to Parliamentarians. Chepstow's military importance ended with the battle, and by the late 17th century, the fortress had become partially abandoned and in ruins. But later, in the 18th and 19th centuries, when the Wye Valley gained popularity as a destination for scenic tourism, its majestic structure and lovely ruins would enthrall artists and tourists.

The Welsh government's historic environment service, Cadw, is in charge of maintaining Chepstow Castle, a beloved historical landmark. Its stunning setting and the chance to visit its well-preserved ruins (spiders and all), which offer an intriguing window into medieval life, attract tourists. The castle's expansive views of the River Wye and the surrounding area enhance its appeal and give a hint of its former strategic significance. Every stone in its construction tells a story of conquest, defense, and final decline, revealing its complex history from its Norman beginnings to its involvement in later conflicts. Apart from its historical significance, Chepstow Castle has also been the focus of local folklore and ghost stories, which have given its already dramatic presence a sense of mystery. Stories of spectral figures, weird sounds, and unexplained events have further enhanced its reputation as a place of intrigue, making it a focal point for paranormal aficionados. Regardless of whether a visitor comes for its architectural beauty, historical significance, or eerie reputation, Chepstow Castle continues to stand as a testament to the lasting influence of Britain's past. Its imposing walls, historic doors, and dominant location over the River Wye guarantee its status as one of Wales' most recognizable monuments.

[the-history-of-fighting]

The gatehouse at Chepstow Castle.

[wezg]

Review: Queens of the Crusades – by Alison Weir

I had previously read Alison Weir’s most excellent book specifically on Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine many years ago so the author was familiar to me. I chanced upon this title in my local library (Caldicot) and thought I’d give it a go. It covers the lives of several British Queens, or rather the historical period in England during which they lived. The period is one of the most interesting…

[10siglosdehistoria]

12th century AD, wooden door of the Welsh castle of Chepstow

Siglo XII d.C., puerta de madera del castillo galés de Chepstow

XII secolo d.C., porta in legno del castello gallese di Chepstow

(English / Español / Italiano)

12th century AD, wooden door of the Welsh castle of Chepstow. One of the oldest preserved wooden castle doors in Europe.

Dendrological examination showed that the wood used to build the gate dates back to 1159-89 AD. Chepstow Castle is located in south-east Wales in Monmouthshire. It stands on a cliff above the River Wye in a strategic position on the border between England and Wales.

Construction of the stone castle began after the Norman conquest of England in 1067, under the supervision of Lord William Fitz Osbern. At the beginning of the 18th century, it fell into disrepair.

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Puerta de madera del siglo XII d.C. del castillo galés de Chepstow. Una de las puertas de madera de castillo más antiguas que se conservan en Europa.

El examen dendrológico demostró que la madera utilizada para construir la puerta data de 1159-89 d.C. El castillo de Chepstow está situado en el sureste de Gales, en Monmouthshire. Se alza en un acantilado sobre el río Wye, en una posición estratégica en la frontera entre Inglaterra y Gales.

La construcción del castillo de piedra comenzó tras la conquista normanda de Inglaterra en 1067, bajo la supervisión de Lord William Fitz Osbern. A principios del siglo XVIII, cayó en el abandono.

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XII secolo d.C., porta in legno del castello gallese di Chepstow. Una delle più antiche porte del castello in legno che sia stata conservata in Europa.

L'esame dendrologico ha dimostrato che il legno utilizzato per costruire il cancello risale al 1159-89 d.C. Il castello di Chepstow si trova nel Galles sud-est nel Monmouthshire. Si trova su una scogliera sopra il fiume Wye in una posizione strategica al confine tra Inghilterra e Galles.

La costruzione del castello di pietra iniziò dopo la conquista normanna dell'Inghilterra nel 1067, sotto la supervisione di Lord William Fitz Osbern. All'inizio del XVIII secolo cadde in rovina.

Sorce: tuttorete.info

[ukdamo]

Today's Flickr photo with the most hits: Chepstow Castle

[laclefdescoeurs]

Chepstow Castle, John Sell Cotman

[whencyclopedia]

Chepstow Castle

Chepstow Castle, located in Monmouthshire, South Wales, was first built c. 1067 by William FitzOsbern and then significantly improved c. 1190 CE by Sir William Marshal (c. 1146-1219 CE), one of England's greatest ever knights who served four kings and acted as regent for Henry III of England (r. 1216-1272 CE). Chepstow Castle then became the home of a succession of rich and powerful medieval and Tudor nobles. Despite its innovative design, and the expense of its formidable defensive features - or perhaps because of them, the castle was never attacked in the medieval period. Chepstow is today a fine example of 11-13th-century CE castle architecture and boasts the oldest castle doors in Europe.

Early History

Chepstow Castle was first built from around 1067 CE by Earl William FitzOsbern, an ally of William the Conqueror (r. 1066-1087 CE). As with any medieval castle, the location was an important consideration for the castle's future defence and its strategic value. Accordingly, Chepstow Castle was built at one of the gateways to Wales on a limestone cliff overlooking the River Wye. The dramatic curve here in that river gave the castle its Welsh name - Striguil, meaning 'the bend'. Domesday Book (1086-7 CE) records Chepstow Castle as an asset (one of only two castles to be so categorised) because its owner could outweigh the heavy costs of its upkeep by charging a toll on crossing river traffic.

The Norman castle was one of the first to be built in stone, and it is also unusual for not being located near an urban centre. The solid rock base made the castle impregnable to undermining, and its high walls and towers made any attack by siege engines next to impossible. It is perhaps no surprise then that the castle was never attacked in the Middle Ages but it was largely intended as a fortified base from which to attack southern Wales rather than a point of defensive retreat.

The first version of the main rectangular stone castle keep (donjon) was built c. 1072 CE, one of the earliest to be built in England and Wales. The tower cleverly saved costs by having a thinner wall on the river side, and it had the main entrance on the first floor, a typical defensive feature of the period. Another cost-saving device was to reuse locally-found old Roman bricks and tiles in the lower courses, a reminder that the border region between England and Wales had a long history of conflict. Either side of the tower two enclosed courtyards or baileys (aka wards) were built. After FitzOsbern's son Roger de Breteuil participated in a rebellion against William the Conqueror, the Crown took possession of the castle. Sometime before 1119 CE Henry I of England (r. 1100-1135 CE) then gave Chepstow to a loyal follower, one Walter de Clare. Walter's nephew Gilbert Fitz Gilbert de Clare so impressed King Stephen of England (r. 1135-1154 CE) with his martial qualities that he was made, in 1138 CE, the Earl of Pembroke and the castle became thereafter attached to that title.

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[intercal]

saying "come to madras" is kind of like saying "come to chepstow" in the UK. except smaller and less historically significant (even chepstow has a castle)

[ghw-archive]

Looking across the River Wye from Chepstow Castle

[english-history-trip]

Gates from Chepstow Castle

Measuring 8ft 5in (2.5m) wide by 11ft 7in (3.5m) tall, for close on a millennium the gates saw off all comers, from marauding Welsh princes to Oliver Cromwell's New Model Army.

They were originally thought to have dated from around 1245, placing them in the heart of the Norman castle-building spree.

The gates have been moved inside the castle to protect them from damage

But dendrochronological analysis commissioned by Cadw, the Welsh Government's historic environment service, revealed they were in fact hung no later than 1190, making them the earliest known surviving castle doors in Europe.

Microscopic holes drilled into 14 different timbers also showed that they were constructed from a mixture of seasoned and green oak, allowing them to flex and bend both when under attack and through climatic variations.

-- The Gate Appreciation Society

[wildernessuntothemselves]

In Chepstow rn and this castle reminds me so much of tyun's castle in yamqn but with a river instead of the sea

[professorbook]

Chepstow Castle sits atop a cliff across the River Wye which separates England and Wales.

[whataniceone2]

Chepstow castle

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