Castle of the Month February 2007:
Carew Castle

© 2000-2007 Lise Hull
At first glance, you may wonder why the Normans chose to build a castle at the site where Carew now stands. Though located on a low-lying limestone ridge, the castle sits alongside a pretty river. Fluctuating with the tides, the Carew River allowed sea-going boats to come and go with ease. So, the site was good for communication, for receiving supplies, and, as a natural moat, for blocking access by intruders. Interestingly, despite its proximity to the river, water had to be piped into the castle.

The first castle at Carew was probably an earth and timber fortification, the remains of which were obliterated when Gilbert de Windsor added the stone structure. Recent excavations have uncovered an early Norman bread oven and coins dating to the reign of Stephen (1135-54), clear evidence that a castle existed here during the 12th century. Superficially, romantic Carew Castle exudes an air of grace, thanks to John Perrot's modifications. Mullioned windows dominate the north face, which is best viewed from across the river. But, there is much more to explore inside and out at Carew.

Essentially a fortified residence, the structure is rectangular, with four large corner towers. It is fronted by a rectangular outer bailey (or ward), accessed through a very modest gatehouse. Between the outer bailey and the interior, a rock-cut ditch flanks the curtain wall and may have served as the first line of defense before the outer ward was added. A second gatehouse opens into the inner ward, the hub of the castle.

On either side of the inner gatehouse sit the oldest surviving structures at Carew Castle, the southeast tower and the so-called "Old Tower." Placed to defend the gatehouse, the Old Tower contains arrowslits, murder holes, drawbar holes (for the heavy double doors that no longer exist), and portcullis grooves.

Once inside the castle, the feeling is one of luxury. Directly across the inner ward from the gatehouse is Carew's marvelous porch, added by Rhys ap Thomas to commemorate the visit of the royal family during his grand tournament in 1507. Overhead, the heraldic arms honor his benefactor, King Henry VII, Arthur, Prince of Wales, and his wife, Catherine of Aragon (whom his brother, Henry VIII, later married - but that is another story!). An elaborate series of very ruined steps lead from the porch into the great hall, which spans the entire length of the western curtain wall.

Carew's great hall was undoubtedly a splendid sight. Built in the early 14th century by Sir Nicholas de Carew, who is responsible for most of the construction at the castle, much of its grandeur can only be imagined. Now a roofless shell, the hall still contains vaulted cellars, elaborately carved windows, ornate Tudor fireplaces, and remnants of a minstrels' gallery. These features suggest that the great hall dazzled the eyes.

To the north of the great hall, the northern range of residential buildings overlooks the river through the afore-mentioned mullioned window frames. Again nothing more than a shell, John Perrot's apartment range completed the castle's transformation from military stronghold to lavish residence. On the top floor, a "long gallery" ran the length of the structure. Common in stately homes, the long gallery was fifty yards long and may have housed the castle's art collection (after all, Perrot did furnish his home with damasks, Turkish carpets, and Irish rugs, an extensive library, and musical instruments!). Apparently, Perrot never completed the northern wing, for an inventory taken in 1592, shortly before his death, mentions a locked room holding "so much glasse ready to be sett upp as will grace all the wondowes of ye newe buildinge (Davis:1992)."

On the eastern side of the castle, notable buildings include the 13th century Old Tower, its grand staircase leading to a mazelike series of passages which seem to go everywhere, yet nowhere. Inside are guard rooms, latrines, chambers ("maisonettes") for the constable and chaplain, the lesser hall, and the chapel tower. The chapel is a large rectangular tower that juts out into the outer bailey. On the outside, the battlemented tower is quite impressive. Inside, the chapel room has been restored to some extent and contains a fine vaulted ceiling, a piscina, and an aumbry (for washing and holding sacred chalices). On the floor above, a small chamber may have been reserved for the lord of the castle to privately hear mass.

The fourth side of Carew Castle, the south, supported the kitchen tower, of which little remains. At westernmost end of the wing stands the southwest spur tower. (Its twin watches the river at the northwest corner of the castle). Both spur towers made significant use of buttressing to keep them strong. They are vivid survivors of the time when Carew was more of a fortress than a residence. The two round, battlemented towers project out from the curtain wall and create an intimidating presence, even today. They rise three stories, and were used as defensive platforms as well as living quarters. The two ruined corner towers probably once resembled the spur towers.

On the grounds outside the castle, where archaeologists have been active in recent years, extensive remains of Civil War defenses, known as ravelins, can be identified. The ravelin is a V-shaped earthwork, built to interfere with assaults on the flimsy gatehouse. Gun platforms have been uncovered along the fortification. Unfortunately for the castle's defenders, the ravelin could not withstand the pounding of Parliamentary bombards.

Historic records from the 16th century also document the existence of stables, a bakehouse, brewhouse, forge, and two walled deer parks. Traces of these structures are now visible, destroyed alongside the ravelins during the English Civil War.

In all, Carew Castle offers an intriguing combination of fortress and home, history and archaeology. Not only are we able to explore medieval and Renaissance era ruins, we also have the unusual chance to examine one of Wales' most impressive Celtic crosses. Adjacent to the castle's main entrance, the Carew Cross dates to the early 11th century. It is an outstanding example of an Early Christian wheel-head cross. Deeply carved with lavish knotwork, plaitwork, and swastikas, the Celtic cross also displays a Latin inscription which commemorates the death of Maredudd, a prince of Deheubarth who was killed in 1035.