Bargain Travel
Europe guide to Europe on a budget for vacation destinations, travel
ideas and secret spots missed by travel tours.
OYSTERMOUTH
CASTLE - MUMBLES
Norman Castle of Lords of Gower
Oystermouth
Castle, a medieval fortress from the Norman era which stands on a height
above the coastal tourist village of Mumbles on Swansea Bay
reopened to the public in 2011. At least part of it. The castle has
been closed for renovation and repair which is planned in phases, with
expected
final completing around 2013, but the first phase reopens with a celebration
on July 16, 2011. The medieval
themed event will feature live medieval music, falconry displays, fire
juggling, archery demonstrations, story-telling, and archaeology digs
for kids, with the aroma of roasting pigs wafting through across the
grounds in front of the castle’s high gate. Other events for the
summer will be outdoor theater performances August 3 -5, Junior Park
Rangers Medieval Fun activities and photography
society events later in August.
Oystermouth Castle was the first defensive castle built by the Normans
on the Gower peninsula by William of London (Guillaume de Londres) in
1106 after the invasion by William the Conqueror. The original wood and
earthen castle was burned to the ground, rebuilt and burned again in
1116 and 1137 during revolts of the Welsh princes of Deheubarth and eventually
held by Llywelyn the Great until 1220 when the local clans were driven
from peninsula under the Plantagenet king, Henry III. Through the 13th
Century the castle was occupied and rebuilt by John de Braose, Lord of
Gower who expanded the family’s land holdings and titles on the
Welsh Marches. The de Braoses rebuilt the castle in its present stone
shape with a high curtain wall, residential buildings, and chapel in
the later Gothic style seen in the elegant windows contrasted to the
unadorned stonework of the walls. Edward I stayed at Oystermouth briefly
on his tours through Wales in 1284 and the height of its glory. But by
1331, the Lords of Gower moved on the castle lost its importance throughout
the 14th Century and later falling into ruin. A survey of castles in
1650 listed the structure as old, decayed and of no use “but of
pleasant situation” pictured in the romantic English art of the
18th Century (see Laugharne Castle). It was restored to some of its former
style in the 1840s under the influence of George Grant Francis and 1927,
granted to the Swansea council by its last owner, the Duke of Beaufort.
The first phase of the restoration features the new visitors center with
interpretation panels to bring the castles past to life, restored castle
wall and inner ward, and most especially the visitors view from a 30
ft high glass enclosed bridge of the Alina’s Chapel, reputedly
the finest medieval castle chapel of its time in south Wales built for
Aline de Braose, daughter of the last lord de Braose on her marriage
to John de Mowbray, which hasn’t been seen by the public for a
hundred and fifty years. The further restoration work of later phases
will be on view for castle visitors as well. Apparently, a few ghosts
have been disturbed by all the construction work as paranormal events
during the restoration have been mentioned.© Bargain
Travel Europe
Compare hotel and travel deals in Mumbles on TripAdvisor
Web Info
Swansea
- Oystermouth Castle
These articles are copyrighted and the sole property of Bargain Travel Europe and WLPV, LLC. and may not be copied or reprinted without permission.
SEE ALSO:
CAERPHILLY
CASTLE
LLANGYFELACH PARISH ST DAVID'S CHURCH
Discover Travel in Europe on a Budget with Bargain
Travel Europe and also visit Bargain
Luxury Travel for luxury value travel ideas
© 2006-2012 Winged Lion Entertainment Ventures, LLC
