 Castles in
Pembrokeshire Castles in Wales Castles in England Castles in Scotland |
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Carew Castle | |
County |
Pembrokeshire | |
How to get there |
5 miles East of Pembroke, off A477 | |
History
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In 1095 Gerald de
Windsor, a Norman knight who already held Pembroke castle, received Carew Castle as part
of his wife's dowry. She was a Welsh princess named Nest and before her marriage had
been held hostage by Henry I.
Nothing now remains of the Norman fortress and the earliest surviving stonework is from the 12th century. The four towers and gatehouse surrounding a courtyard were built Sir Nicholas Carew who died in 1311. In the late 15th century Sir Rhys ap Thomas, the strong Welsh ally of Henry VII, altered and improved the castle. The lavish new living quarters, hall and stairs were built in time for the tournament held in 1507 to celebrate Henry VII's new Tudor dynasty. Rhys's grandson forfeited the castle to Sir John Perrot, reputed to be the illegitimate son of Henry VIII. Sir John built a new wing with spacious rooms and large windows. The wing broke right through the original walls making it vulnerable to attack. However, it stood up well against the Roundheads in 1644. The castle fell to the Parliamentarians in the end who slighted the building. Nevertheless, much of the castle still stands today. |
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