Carew Castle

Carew Castle

Carew Castle stands on a limestone bluff overlooking the Carew inlet, a site that has been recognised as strategically useful from the very earliest times. Recent excavations in the outer ward have uncovered the multiple defensive walls of an Iron Age fortress indicating the early importance of the site.

Carew Castle - front entrance

Around the year 1100 a Norman castle in the shape of a stone keep was built at Carew by Gerald de Windsor who was made castellan of Pembroke Castle following the first Norman invasion of Pembrokeshire. Gerald had married Nest, princess of Deheubarth, who brought the manor of Carew as part of her dowry. Gerald cleared the existing wood and earth fort to build his own castle on Norman lines. The original outer walls were timber and only the keep was built of stone. This keep still exists in the later structure as the "Old Tower".

Gerald's fortification was later replaced by a stone Castle built by his son William, who had taken the name "de Carew." In the middle of the 12^th century William created an enclosure with stone walls incorporating the original keep; he also added a "Great Hall" inside the enclosure. Much of what remains of Carew Castle today was the work of William's son, Sir Nicholas de Carew (who died in 1311), who was responsible in particular for the east and west ranges.

There is obviously far more history to Carew than the brief outline I have given here. If you're interested in Welsh castles and their history I suggest you visit Carew yourself buy the guidebook. :)

Mean time here are a couple more images of the magnificent Carew Castle to whet your appetite.