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“Castles of Radnorshire” The first half of the book provides a general history of Radnorshire(the central section of Powys) and its castles, while the second half provides detailed descriptions of the sites, many with site maps and photographs. [This message has been edited by AJR (edited 03-06-2001).] The first half of the book provides a general history of Breconshire (the southern section of Powys) and its castles, while the second half provides detailed descriptions of the sites, many with site maps and photographs. [This message has been edited by AJR (edited 03-06-2001).] A comprehensive guide to the history and architecture of 37 stone castles built between the 12th and 16th centuries, together with about 100 earthwork sites dating from 11th to 13th centuries. Covers the counties of Pembrokeshire, Carmarthanshire and Ceredigion, and contains numerous site plans and photos. Useful as a general guide when touring the area. A comprehensive guide to the history and architecture of 38 stone castles built between the 12th and 15th centuries, together with about 35 earthwork sites dating from 11th to 13th centuries. Covers the counties of Anglesey, Conwy, Denbigh, Flint, Gwynedd and Wrexham, and contains numerous site plans and photos. A handy general guide for those touring the scenic northern part of the country. A comprehensive guide to the numerous castles and earthworks in the county of Powys, in the east of the country. The site plans and photos are useful in identifying the sites whilst travelling around the area. A comprehensive guide to numerous castles and earthworks in the area, which covers the present counties of Brigend, Caerphilly, Cardiff, Vale of Glamorgan, Blaenau Gwent, Monmouthshire, Newport, Swansea, Rhondda Cynon Taff, Neah Port Talbot, Torfaen and Merthyr Tydfill. The site plans and photos are useful in identifying the sites whilst travelling around the south-eastern part of the country. ------------------ Visit Castellarium Philippis Because of the lack of good county guides for much of England English Castle: a guide by counties was a worthwhile buy. However Welsh Castles falls between better illustrated and glossier guides to the great Welsh castles and the detailed gazetters of Salter. It aim is much better served by The Castles of Wales. Details from the publisher at http://www.boydell.co.uk Castles of Wales again falls between better illustrated and glossier guides to the great Welsh castles and the detailed gazetters of Salter. It aim is much better served by the website The Castles of Wales, though it is difficult to fit a web site in your pocket. ------------------ Visit Castellarium Philippis ------------------ Visit Castellarium Philippis Castles & Ancient Monuments of Wset Wales: Castle Building in Thirteenth Century That excellent man Alan Sorrell, who's many paintings & drawings are still used today in books. His reconstruction of castles etc. was to me a real 'first', where many others have since follwed.AJR Since there has been a glut of books on Scottish castles, it's time Wales was given a chance. So here's a couple to start with.
by Paul Remfry
First published in 1996 by Logaston Press
(Monuments in the Landscape – Volume 3)
ISBN 1-873-827-547
Price £7.95 (in 2000)AJR “Castles of Breconshire”
by Paul Remfry
First published in 1999 by Logaston Press
(Monuments in the Landscape – Volume 8)
ISBN 1-873-827-806
Price £8.95 (in 2000)AJR “The Castles of South-West Wales”
by Mike Salter
First published in 1996 by Folly Publications
ISBN 1-871-731-266
Price £4.95 (in 2000)AJR “The Castles of North Wales”
by Mike Salter
First published in 1997 by Folly Publications
ISBN 1-871-731-275
Price £4.95 (in 2000)AJR “The Castles of Mid Wales”
by Mike Salter
First published in 1991 by Folly Publications
ISBN 1-871-731-100
Price £3.00 (in 2000)AJR “The Castles of Gwent, Gower and Glamorgan”
by Mike Salter
First published in 1991 by Folly Publications
ISBN 1-871-731-097
Price £3.95 (in 2000)Philip Davis Mike Salter's guides are pretty well indispensible for anyone wanting a full picture of the range of castles in an area. A must buy (and actually very reasonably priced) but his proof reading does leave a little to be desired and some of his map references are wrong. If you need accurate map references for the castles of Wales you can find them listed at my site at The Medieval Castles of Wales
And the astronomyours beheldyne the constellacions of hys bryth by thare castle, and foundyn that he sholde bene wyse and curteyse, good of consaill
Secreta SecretorumPhilip Davis
The companion volume to English Castle Pettifer keep the same format and aim, to list and briefly describe all Welsh castles "worth visiting". This volume does list more Welsh castle than P S Fry's Castles of the British Isles and gives better descriptions but, despite being thicker than all four, doesn't match the four guide books to Welsh castles by Mike Salter either in comprehensiveness or detail. However, it is a much higher quality publication.Philip Davis
In many ways similar to English Castle by Pettifer descibing more or less the same castles in more or less the same detail, really much the same without the nice 12 colour photo's of Pettifer's book and with the castles listed alphabetically rather than by county but at a third of the price this is probably a better buy although it still doesn't match the four guide books to Welsh castles by Mike Salter either in comprehensiveness or detail.
And the astronomyours beheldyne the constellacions of hys bryth by thare castle, and foundyn that he sholde bene wyse and curteyse, good of consaill
Secreta SecretorumPhilip Davis
Subtitled Stories of the Castles and Strongholds of Pembrokeshire this is one of those books written by English Gentleman with time on their hands or boundless energy. In this case Mr Stickings was a Royal Marine officer and a civil servant but not a professional historian. Thus this book is full of interesting stories but little real history or architectual detail. However, the stories are fairly well written and amusing and the book was worth the two pounds I paid for it in a second hand shop.
And the astronomyours beheldyne the constellacions of hys bryth by thare castle, and foundyn that he sholde bene wyse and curteyse, good of consaill
Secreta SecretorumPeter Pembrokshire Castles & Strongholds:
Michael Fitzgerald & John Cleal.
Rosedale Publ. West st. Newport, Dyfed.
1991 , £4. 95;
A tome of 80-pages, very nice because John Cleal has used paintings to illustrate many of the castles, along with site plans.
Tony Roberts, 1989, £2. 95:
Abercastle Publ. 2 Back lane, Main st. Fishguard.
Sketches instead of photo's, with those other sites to fill in between castles. Peter The Welsh Castles of Edward 1
Arnold Taylor. ISBN 0 907628 71 0
The Hambledon Press. 1986
Was then .. £5. 95:
For anyone interested in Welsh castles this book is a must. Not overladen with plans & pictures, but just enough to clarify the text.
To go with that volume you should have;
Wales and Savoy
A.J. Taylor 1977 (was then a £1 !)
Offprint of ..The British Academy London
ISBN 0 85672 160 3
Have seen this last one in the Castle Book Shop listings.Peter Castles of Dyfed ..... Paul Davies
Gomer Press. Llandysul. 1987 (was £4. 95 
ISBN 0 86383 348 9
A nice sharp clear book of almost 80-pages, good listing, pictures & plans.Peter A little booklet well worth keeping an eye out for is;
The Motte-and-Bailey Castles of the Welsh Border. R.H.A. Merlen; Palmers Press, Ludlow. 1987 ISBN 1 870054 01 6
Not 30 pages, but detailed on how these castles might have been fed & watered. What problems they faced extra. Interesting.
Alan Sorrell.. Early Wales Re-created.
National Museum of Wales 1980
ISBN 0 7200 02281
strange A5 on its side, but 80 pages of lovely drawings & paintings. What I like about this is, on the right we Alan's drawing, then on the left we have a small B & W picture of the site today, with a nice description. Including the size of the work and where it is today.
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