![]() Rascally Twm-real name, Thomas Jones-robbed the rich, but apparently forgot to give to the poor. Visiting: TWM SIôN CATI, TREGARONĮngland has its Robin Hood Wales has Twm Siôn Cati, born in Tregaron, midwest Wales, circa 1530. Happen by on a moonlit night and you might just glimpse an ethereal figure dressed in green on the castle’s ramparts, looking longingly toward the hamlet of Brithdir for the lover who would never again hold her in his embrace. Understandably outraged, Gilbert had Gruffudd killed and Alice died of a broken heart. But it seems Gilbert’s bloodthirsty ways left his wife, Alice, somewhat cold, because she fell for the amorous attentions of the Welsh Prince Gruffudd the Fair of Brithdir. Gilbert “the Red” de Clare, a kinsman of William the Conqueror, built the fortress despite the best efforts of his Welsh enemies. Caerphilly Castle, surrounded by a series of moats and watery islands, is the country’s largest, its mammoth walls, ramparts and towers a breathtaking marathon to explore. WALES BOASTS 641 castles, more per square mile than any other country, and a sure sign of a turbulent past. If you happen past Caerphilly Castle on a moonlit night, instead of the bright spring sunshine, you might catch a glimpse of the ghost of Alice de Clare. Today you can tour the impressive 1st-century remains of the Roman fortress and baths of Isca (as Caerleon was called) and ponder the claim that the impressive amphitheatre later served as Arthur’s Round Table meeting chamber. Our legendary trail could lead all around Wales: to the hill fort and ruins of Castell Dinas Brân, Llangollen, where the Holy Grail is reputedly buried to the mountains of Snowdonia where the “once and future King” slew a giant, was mortally wounded and now slumbers.Ībove all, do visit Caerleon near Newport, where 12th-century writer Geoffrey of Monmouth sited Arthur’s court. He is everywhere and nowhere, but the Welsh at least can claim his stories were first written in Brythonic-the language from which Welsh descends-and he features strongly in the ancient tales collected into the Mabinogion. More legends spin around King Arthur than any other hero, based on a quasi-historical British warlord-or a composite of such figures- who fought against the invading Saxons in the 5th and 6th centuries. Look out for the following epic highlights. This was the perfect time to explore the castles, mountains, winding roads, and valleys where so many tales of princes, heroes, villains, and saints live on. ![]() Because sometimes, your trip ends before the in-flight movie does, and you really don’t want to ask the pilot to circle the airport just so you can catch the finale.In 2017, Wales declared it the Year of Legends.Because sometimes, you fall asleep watching a mediocre rental, and would rather return it on time than pay two more bucks just to see the end. ![]() Because sometimes, your TiVo timer didn’t get it quite right, and cut off the crucial final minutes of something that won’t get shown again for six months.Because sometimes, you’re not interested in seeing that movie everyone’s talking about but are dying to know what the hubbub is about anyway.Because sometimes, you vaguely remember an old movie that had some sort of plot twist at the end of it, but can’t remember what it was.Because sometimes, the surprise “spoiler” ending is the only reason you’d pay $11 to see what is otherwise a turkey of a film.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |