The Castles Of Cornwall

Durdatha whye!
Good day to you!

Early man fortified many points around the coast, these must have been fairly massive structures for their day, as the ramparts can still be seen clearly in many locations today as you walk the coast path.

Here are some of the beatuiful castles that were built throughout Cornwall.

Pendennis Castle

The largest of the Cornish castles. It was a major Tudor fortress, built by Henry VIII to guard the entrance to Carrick Roads, the most westerly safe anchorage in the English Channel. It still has large portions intact, you can explore the maze of small rooms and dark staircases. Its history extends to both world wars when again it was fully manned against invasion.

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St Mawes Castle

St Mawes Castle is Henry VIII's smaller fort, facing Pendennis Castle, is three huge circular clover leaf bastions. It now stands in sub tropical gardens, and from the battlements you can see across the estuary to Falmouth and Pendennis. If you want to make the trip the little ferry boats ply back and forth. It shared the guard of the Carrick Roads with Pendennis Castle on the other side. It is smaller than Pendennis, and has three huge circular bastions, interlocking like a clover leaf. Gun ports cover every angle of approach. It is a fine example of Tudor military architecture.



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Tintagel

A dramatic position, right on the sea. It sits on what is almost an island of black slate. The legend says that Arthur was born to Queen Igerna at Tintagel Castle. Merlin is supposed to have taken the new-born King Arthur here. Although there was an earlier castle on this site, the present one dates from the 12th and 13th centuries. The remains that you see today are of a 13th castle that was the stronghold of the Earls of Cornwall.

Other castles and churches can be found here: Cornwall's Castles and Churches

Tereba nessa. Comero weeth.
Till next time. Take care.

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Hi there, Em dear! Thanks for sharing this info with us! I just love looking at pics of old castles and churches, and reading their history! If I ever make it Europe, I would like to spend lots of time exploring them as well as the standing stones! Do you know if Cornwall has any of those?

Thanks Wizard, especially for the interest. Yes, Cornwall does have a few standing stones of their own. Some are natural and some are man made. To find out more about these stones and some good pictures of them, go to this site:

Cornwall's Stones

Wow! Thanks Em! That was fascinating! I loved reading the legnds about the stones. Unless I am mistaken, the Men-An-Tol played a big part in Chrles De Lint's book, The Little Country, which is set in Cornwall. Good book if you ever get the opportunity to read it!

No problem, Wizard. I'm learning as we go too. I'm going to have read that book now. Thanks!

Hey Em dear, please forgive me for going just a little off-topic, but here is a review of The Little Country for you.

http://www.greenmanreview.com/little_country.html

I really enjoyed the book and I think you will too!

Thank you, I just read through it. It sounds really interesting. I wonder if you can get it at a Barnes and Nobles bookstore, that is all we have around here. Thanks again for the link. Any comments or help is appreciated from you!