Welsh Castle Quiz

Question #14

"I'm a junior castle and my mentor was the grand old man of Welsh castles. Up until a few years ago I looked pretty bad, but now I'm as handsome as ever! My original owner was French, but a recent owner gave me a new lease on life. Unfortunately I am no longer open to the public. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"

Penhow Castle in southeastern Wales is a smaller, "knight's castle," a type of dependent or "junior" castle to nearby Chepstow, the oldest surviving stone castle in all of Britain (the grand old man of Welsh castles). Penhow was in ruins for hundreds of years, but recently underwent an extensive and award-winning restoration program. Penhow was originally a Norman (French) castle, but was purchased by an American in the early 1970s, when restoration work began. Unfortunately the castle is no longer open to the public.

Home | Main Menu | Castle Index | Historical Essays | Related Essays | What's New | Links | Contact

Copyright © 2009 by Jeffrey L. Thomas