Welcome back to another castle of the week! I admit this is one of my favorite days because I get to visit or revisit so many interesting castles! Today we travel to...
Cardiff Castle
by Evonne Wareham
The castle has a strategic position on the South Wales
coast, beside the River Taff, but the development of Cardiff around it has now
put it well within the city, at the end of the two main shopping streets. There
are Roman remains on the site and a twelve sided, stone built Shell Keep, with
a water filled moat, that began its evolution as a Norman construction,
probably made of wood, but Cardiff Castle is best known as an outstanding
example of Victorian Gothic. The meeting in 1865 of the Third Marquess of Bute,
then the wealthiest man in the world, with architect/designer William Burges,
formed a partnership that lasted for years. Lord Bute was rich. Burges was
dedicated, some might say obsessive, over detail and consequently very
expensive. They were both captivated by the Middle Ages. Serendipity at its
finest.
The Butes were a Scottish family who used the Castle as a
summer home. Under Burges’s direction it was transformed into a Medieval fairy
tale – towers, and turrets, stained glass, stonework, carpentry and painting on
themes from legends, chivalry, history, the zodiac, the elements, animals,
fruit and flowers, insects and birds, hieroglyphics, runes …
Many rooms have themes – the Arab Room, with a golden
ceiling, the Winter Smoking Room equipped with all the ‘boys’ toys’ of the day,
the Nursery, with tiled murals of children’s stories. The result is amazing, or
abominable, depending on your taste! As you can guess, I am a fan. The
photographs barely give a flavor of the effect. The interior shots, taken
without flash, for conservation reasons, can only give an impression of the
colors and craftsmanship. The full impact, ‘in the flesh’ is quite stunning and
a little overwhelming. The closest thing I can use for comparison are the
paintings of the Pre-Raphaelites, who were interested in similar themes and use
of color. Outside a new Clock Tower was created, decorated with figures
depicting the planets. And then there is the Animal Wall, with stone statues
that gaze or glare down at pedestrians going about their business in the street
below. It’s a fantastic creation.
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| The clock tower |
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| Outer wall and Tower |
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| The Keep |
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| The Tower - Burges figures of the Planets |
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| Main building |
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| Stained glass |
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| Detail from the banqueting hall |
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| Fireplace in the banqueting hall |
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| Detail of the lavish decorations |
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| Monkeys - a favorite motiff |
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| The Library |
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| Vulture |
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| Hyena |
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| Bear |
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| Apes |
Biography
Evonne is a Welsh
author of contemporary romantic suspense who lives just outside Cardiff. Her
award winning first novel Never Coming Home will be available in paperback in
the US in March, to be followed by Out of Sight Out of Mind, a paranormal
romantic thriller, in May. Evonne will be attending the RT Booklovers
Convention in Kansas City in May 2013.
NOTES ON THE PHOTOS
The Castle buildings
are within extensive grounds, surrounded by a high stone wall. Once through the
entrance gate the Keep is straight ahead. The main building – the family
residence – is off to the left. Within the building, the Banqueting Hall is the
largest room. The Animal Wall is outside the Castle walls and the Clock Tower
is visible from the street.
1 comment:
Thanks Eliza for inviting me to talk about the castle - one of my favorite places!
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