Visiting The Knight Shop last week, Deb and I both had our families Coat of Arms and histories done. It was very informative and eye opening.....Royalty? I am sure I didn't know I was, but ok!
It is a great shop. Not only do they have this great Knight to get pictures with, but also swords and every protective gear that was known to Knights in Medieval Wales.
But Deb went out of edge today.....she tried Mead. If you watched any shows or movies from Medieval times, they always asked the barkeep for mead in the taverns. The series "Merlin" was a prime example. They lived on mead.
Mead is an alcoholic drink made by fermenting honey with water. Sometimes they added flavourings such as fruits or spices, but the traditional Welsh mead is not flavoured. They made it before beer.
Well....Deb tried it. You drink it straight up. No ice or mix.
There she goes!
"She likes it. She likes it!"
Thank goodness, because sometimes she makes a face and spits stuff out.
Good job!
Today is the day we explore Conwy Castle. A very foreboding, dark, stone fortresses at the gateway of the village of Conwy.
Built by King Edward I between 1283 and 1289. It was one of his 'Iron Ring' castles in Wales to contain the Welsh people.
Being invited to dinner at the castle, back in the 12th century, may have been an honour unless you ended up in this castle prison for something you may or may not have done. It is a really deep hole....not good. Very unpleasant.
King Edward I built numerous castles in north-west Wales. He believed that this was needed to secure this part of his Kingdom. The Welsh would not be subdued. They continued to rebel and fight against his control.
Debbie exploring the ruins.
"Taken as a whole, Conwy's incomparably the most magnificent of Edward I's Welsh fortresses." - an unknown historian.
Often there is a castle within a castle for defensive and protective reasons, but not this castle. It is so huge and built on top of rock that there was no need.
Magnificent views of the whole castle from the towers. It is remarkable how much is still standing.
Hey....a damsel in distress. Is it Rapunzel? I don't think her hair is long enough?
Is it Juliet? No.....her Shakespearean accent sounds more Scottish than Welsh or English?
It's ME! Debbie took my wee picture from her very own tower.
But I'm not sure why she locked me in this tower?
I won't buy anymore wool......I PROMISE! Let me out!
From the towers at the castle are the three accesses to and from Conwy. The new road bridge on the left. The Conwy Suspension Bridge in the middle. On the right is the rail bridge.
Conwy Suspension Bridge was one of the first in the world. It is foot bridge today. Completed in 1826 it replaced a ferry service that was located at this same spot for centuries. It is built into the same rock that the castle is built on. The bridge width is only 2.5 meters wide.
The Castle Walls are over three quarters of a mile long and guarded by 22 towers. One of the finest castles and walls in the world.
It's tiring to climb a castle all day.
To demonstrate English supremacy and dominate the defeated Welsh, King Edward I built four castles in 1278 following the first Welsh rebellion. In Flint, Rhuddlan, Builth and Aberystwyth. More castles were needed and built after the second Welsh rebellion of 1282. Caernarfon, Harlech, Beaumaris and this castle of Conwy. Even though the Welsh rebelled again, King Edward I was able to hold tight to Wales with this strategic move of building these intimidating fortresses.
On our trip to Wales, we will be visiting Caernarfon, Harlech, Beaumaris and of course Conwy Castle.
Incredible.
Debbie let me out of the tower.......
.......but I'm still buying more yarn....lol.
Yippee!! I'm the Queen of the Castle. No one else here....just us.
"Who is the wee wanker jumping up and down in the courtyard?" "Damn tourists."
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