Monday, February 9, 2009

Knights and Round Tables..




When we were first married, my soldier husband was transfered to a new army post, in Wales. I look back now, and think how fortunate I was to have experienced that move.

Living in Wales, was something I had always wished for. My hometown bordered Counties with Welsh Counties. As a young girl, it was always our holiday of choice, either staying in a holiday "caravan", or camping in a farmer's field (complete with sheep), in some hidden valley, far off the beaten track.

On any given weekend, my parents would load up the camping gear, and off to Wales, we'd go.
From the sunny seaside town of Rhyl, on the Irish sea, to the rock-fenced rolling hills and waterfalls of Betws-y-Coed, the views are spectacular.
I do believe there is not a place in Wales, that isn't warming to the soul.

One of the first places we lived, was in the town of Chepstow, a small quaint town on the River Wye, in Monmouthshire.
The view from our home was of the Chepstow Castle, at the bottom of a small hill.

If there is one castle that stands out in historical importance, that castle is surely Chepstow.
Chepstow is a Norman castle perched high above the banks of the river Wye in southeast Wales. Construction began at Chepstow in 1067, less than a year after William the Conqueror was crowned King of England.

While Edward had his master castle builder in the person of James of St. George, the Conqueror, some 200 years earlier, had his equal in the person of his loyal Norman lord William FitzOsbern. FitzOsbern's fortresses were the vehicles from which the new king consolidated control of his newly conquered lands. Chepstow Castle became the key launching point for expeditions into Wales, expeditions that eventually subdued the rebellious population.

What a magical time of life..

Credits: LearnFree2007

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oh Josephine, that was a wonderful trip you took me on. I've been to London but nowhere else in England. Maybe you could put a trip together someday for all us blog friends who would like to go.

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Oh ---looks like a place I'd love to visit. I would love to see those old castles in England. I have heard about so many of them through the years. Maybe one day --I'll get there!!!! You are so lucky to have lived there for awhile..

Hope you had a great day.
Hugs,
Betsy

A Brit in Tennessee said...

Donna, glad to hear you have visited London, it's a bustling and exciting city.
If you travel further North, into the "heartland" of England, the true beauty of "This Sceptered Isle" is discovered...
About the trip, now there's something to ponder !

cheshire wife said...

Very informative. We can see the hills of north Wales from our bedroom window on a clear day, but have not had much chance to go exploring because of the work that we have been doing on the cottage.

Janet said...

I know where you're coming from. So few tourists venture north of the Watforrd gap _ and they have no idea what they are missing. London isn't all Britain has to offer.

Carol Murdock said...

I would love to go to the British Iles as my Mother's family, The Suggs cames from there! Thanks for the history lesson!
Carol

Anonymous said...

Wales, I always wanted to go there, because I read the book, "Rees Howells Intercessor" (he had an orphanage in Wales in the 2nd world war). Love your blog, very informative.