Living Wales Magazine - Castles

It is set to be a busy time in the lives of Welsh Choir sensations Only Men Aloud. This month Emma Assender talks to Musical Director Tim Rhys-Evans

Wales has been referred to as the Land of Castles,and Abbeys,and there are certainly many of them,surrounded by spectacular scenery the castles formed a ring of defence against attacks by the Welsh. Living Wales visits some of these fascinating structures and learn of their history.

SCATTERED throughout our Welsh landscape is evidence of how we lived our lives across two thousand years, and even further back in time. The first people to really change our culture to any great extent were the Romans, who were then followed by the Normans in the Eleventh century.

Although the Romans built fortresses, often on the sites of existing Iron age fortresses, the Normans went one better using what they found and rebuilt many castles on the sites of the structures the Romans had left behind, establishing market towns and laws. However these laws were not always accepted by the indigenous population of Wales, many of whom returned from England, and fought tooth and nail for their country's freedom alongside our own Prince of Wales, Owain Glyndwr.

The churches and castles built by the Normans are distinctive in appearance, and have stood the test of time despite attacks on the castles by Welshmen such as the aforementioned Welsh hero, Glyndwr.

Welsh history is fascinating, and the easiest way to teach children about their heritage, whilst keeping their attention and interest, is to visit the site of the lesson. Many of our Welsh Mediaeval castles have been taken under the wing of CADW who arrange events throughout each summer; they include re-enactments, long bow archery, Welsh crafts and so much more.