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Name: Chepstow
Location: Gwent
Country: Wales
Review
this castle
Begun c.1067 as one of the very first stone castles in Britain, Chepstow's building periods cover several centuries. Standing on a natural limestone ridge whose north face falls in a steep vertical cliff into the River Wye, it was started by William FitzOsbern, whom the Conqueror had recently made Earl of Hertford, and his first work became the first stone great tower in Britain. It was a substantial quadrilateral
two-storey building, about 30.5 x 12.2 metres (100 x 40 ft), standing on a splayed plinth, with the ground scarped away from its south side. In the
mid-thirteenth century, the upper story had an extra story added at the west end which, towards the end of that century, was extended for the rest of the tower's length, to give a
three-storied great tower, with a cellar of unequal dimensions. Interestingly, different types of stone were used in the construction of the . tower, notably old red sandstone, yellow sandstone and great oolite rock.
The next stage was a thick curtain wall on the east side of the ridge, with cylindrical towers and a gate. This work was carried out by William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke,
c.1190-1220. It divided the central bailey from the lower bailey. Almost immediately after that,
c.1225-50, the great tower was heightened, the upper (western) bailey was constructed, and next to it the interesting barbican with cylindrical tower at the south; the central bailey southern wall was raised, and also the lower (eastern) bailey received its easterly curtain and a
twin-cylindrical- great gatehouse, three stories high; this had a prison in the northern tower, which contained only an airshaft. From
c.1270-c.1300, the western gatehouse was built at the extreme west end of the barbican and various domestic buildings were erected in the lower bailey. At the
south-east comer of the lower bailey, a huge D-end tower was built (later called Martens Tower after Henry Marten, the regicide, imprisoned there after
| Dave B'ham, 43, from Europe, wrote: |
| Towering over the river Wye, protecting
fair England from the wild Welsh, is Chepstow castle. Its big, and claims
to be the earliest stone castle in the UK. As an experienced castle
viewer, its hairy chested mans castle without the frippery of the
Castle/palaces on sometimes see. I'd go a lot with Susan Sweeney on taking
the road to Tintern Abbey. Well worth the trip. |
| Susan Sweeney, 35, from Texas USA, wrote: |
| If you get the opportunity to visit
Chepstow Castle, do take the time to examine the displays and dioramas
that have been put on exhibit in the areas of the castle closest to the
admissions gate. The display and recording in Welsh of kitchen life
was particularly creative and interesting. However, the video
display regarding the experimentation that had been done at the castle
concerning the capacities and construction of various instruments of siege
stands as one of the most education displays I have seen at castles in
Europe. A lot of effort has been put into this castle by the local
government and their interest shows through in the quality of the
presentation. Beyond that, the castle itself is a lovely example of
its kind with a keen view of the Wyre River below. Approaching it
from the car park is a bit deceptive. The structure is much larger
than it appears from that angle, but is not prohibitive for a casual
visit. Well worth the stop if you find yourself in the southern
part of Wales. Do make the short trip to Tintern Abbey while you are
in the neighborhood. |
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