We took a trip to Wales to visit Ron's ancestral territory. Although he has no information about the specific town from whence they hailed, he was naturally curious about their lifestyle and background. We began our journey in Cardiff, and our first stop was Tintern Abbey. The abbey was founded in 1131 by Walter fitz Richard of Clare, an Anglo-Norman lord. It was only the second Cistercian abbey in Britain. There was only one room where there was a fire for monks to warm up and dry their clothes. They were "bled" up to four times per year.
The major industry in Wales was mining. The Big Pit is now a museum in which you are able to descend.
| A working coal mine from 1860 to 1980, it was opened to visitors from 1980. The site is dedicated to operational preservation of the Welsh heritage of mineral mining, which took place during the Industrial Revolution. In 1878, the main shaft was deepened to reach the Old Coal seam at 293 feet. By 1908, Big Pit provided employment for 1,122 people, and by 1923 at peak, there were 1,399 men employed, producing: House Coal, Steam Coal, Ironstone and Fireclay. Most of the industrial past of Wales is related to some sort of mining for it is very rich in mineral deposits. | |
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We were astounded at how quiet it is when you descend down so deeply in the earth. There is not a sound nor a modicum of light. When we turned off our miner's lamps on our helmets, you loose all sense of perspective without sight or sound.
Two things made quite an impression down so deep. First, children as young as 6 worked in the mines, sometimes 12 hours a day. Since the workers had to purchase the candles for their miners helmets, they chose not to spend money on candles for their children who toiled in the dark for hours on end. Second, there were ponies kept down in that dark mine 50 weeks per year to haul the coal. 2 weeks per year they were brought up into fresh air. It was difficult to settle them back down in the mine after their annual freedom holiday.
Above is the castle keep from medieval times
Renovations from 17th-19th centuries.
Cardiff Castle (Castell Caerdydd) is a medieval castle and Victorian Gothis revival mansion located in the in the center of Cardiff. The original motte and bailey castle was built in the late 11th century by Norman invaders on top of a 3rd-century Roman fort. The castle was commissioned by eitherWilliam the Conqueror or by Robert Fitzhamon and formed the heart of the medieval town of Cardiff. Cardiff Castle was repeatedly involved in the conflicts between the Anglo-Normans and the Welsh, being attacked several times in the 12th century, and stormed in 1404 during the revolt of Owain Glyndwr.
In the mid-18th century, Cardiff Castle passed into the hands of the Marquesses of Bute. The first Marquess, employed Capability Brown to renovate the main range, turning it into a Georgian mansion, and to landscape the castle grounds, demolishing many of the older medieval buildings and walls. During the first half of the 19th century the family became extremely wealthy as a result of the growth of the coal industry in Glamorgan. The resulting interior designs are considered to be amongst "the most magnificent that the gothic revival ever achieved". The grounds were re-landscaped and, following the discovery of the old Roman remains, reconstructed walls and a gatehouse in a Roman style were incorporated into the castle design. Extensive landscaped parks were built around the outside of the castle.
In the early 20th century the fourth Marquess inherited the castle and construction work continued into the 1920s. During WWII, extensive air raid shelters were built in the castle walls, able to hold up to 1,800 people.In the mid-18th century, Cardiff Castle passed into the hands of the Marquesses of Bute. The first Marquess, employed Capability Brown to renovate the main range, turning it into a Georgian mansion, and to landscape the castle grounds, demolishing many of the older medieval buildings and walls. During the first half of the 19th century the family became extremely wealthy as a result of the growth of the coal industry in Glamorgan. The resulting interior designs are considered to be amongst "the most magnificent that the gothic revival ever achieved". The grounds were re-landscaped and, following the discovery of the old Roman remains, reconstructed walls and a gatehouse in a Roman style were incorporated into the castle design. Extensive landscaped parks were built around the outside of the castle.
On the grounds of the castle, a chess set fit for a nobleman.
Inside the mansion is a smiling Madonna, an unusual visage.
St. Fagans is a recreation of various life periods in Welsh history. Many historic structures were moved here similar to Greenfield Village.
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We ate lava bread (like seaweed or cooked spinach), blood pudding, cockles and Welsh rarebit (seen below).
Sights around Swansea as we wandered one evening.
On to St. Bride's - boats in harbor at low tide
Boats in same harbor at high tide.
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Caerphilly Castle (Welsh: Castell Caerffili) is a medieval fortification. The castle was constructed by Gilbert de Clare, a French Norman, in the 13th century as part of his campaign to conquer Wales, and saw extensive fighting between Gilbert and his descendants and the native Welsh rulers. Surrounded by extensive artificial lakes – considered to be "the most elaborate water defences in all Britain" – it occupies around 30 acres and is the second largest castle in Britain. It is famous for having introduced concentric castle defences to Britain and for its large gatehouses.
Gilbert began work on the castle in 1268 following his occupation of the north of Glamorgan, with the majority of the construction occurring over the next three years at a considerable cost. The project was opposed by Gilbert's Welsh rival Llywelyn ap Gruffuddd, leading to the site being burnt in 1270 and taken over by royal officials in 1271. Despite these interruptions, Gilbert successfully completed the castle and took control of the region. The core of Caerphilly Castle, including the castle's luxurious accommodation, was built on what became a central island, surrounding by several artificial lakes. The concentric rings of walls proved what historian Norman Pounds has termed "a turning point in the history of the castle in Britain".
Then it was onto the vaunted cliffs and seaside of Pembrokeshire. Below a boy builds a Welsh style castle in the sand with a keep and a moat.
There is so much natural beauty in Wales to appreciate, and a load of history from medieval times to the industrial age.
Sheep resting in the shade near a beach.
A sheep balancing on the edge of a steep cliff.
Sheep resting in the shade near a beach.
A sheep balancing on the edge of a steep cliff.
Sheep were everywhere.
We stopped at a stand for an ice cream - different treats.
In Cardiff, an interesting sculpture representing the ships that went all over the world with mineral loads.
And when you walk to the other side of it, you are "faced" with the human toll that life demanded.
We ended our Welsh sojourn with a concert by one of the world famous all male Welsh choruses. Each town had a chorus, and they held competitions - a major source of entertainment traditionally.
