posted 03-05-2001 03:29 AM         

---

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.

“Castles of Radnorshire”
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)

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).]

posted 03-05-2001 03:31 AM         

---

“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)

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).]

posted 03-06-2001 02:15 AM         

---

“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)

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.

posted 03-06-2001 02:16 AM         

---

“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)

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.

posted 03-06-2001 02:17 AM         

---

“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)

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.

posted 03-06-2001 02:18 AM         

---

“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)

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.

posted 03-06-2001 07:26 AM           

---

• Welsh Castles: a guide by counties by Adrian Pettifer
  
• The Boydell Press, Woodbridge 2000
  
• ISBN 0-85115-778-5
  

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.

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

posted 03-06-2001 12:42 PM            

---

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.

Castles & Ancient Monuments of Wset Wales:
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.

posted 03-08-2001 11:33 AM            

---

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;

Castle Building in Thirteenth Century
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.

posted 03-09-2001 11:53 AM            

---

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.

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.
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.