Powis Castle

Powis Castle ( Welsh: Castell Powis ) is situated above the River Severn near the town of Welshpool in the Welsh county of Powys. The medieval castle is since 1952 owned by the National Trust. It is one of the best preserved in Wales and is known for its baroque gardens.

History

Although the early history of the building is dark, but it is certain that the castle until the middle of the 13th century repeatedly changed hands during the border disputes between Welsh and English. They once belonged to a dynasty of Welsh princes. Your last representative, Owain ap Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn, renounced the title in 1286 and changed his name to Baron de la Pole. The family had the English King Edward I. sworn loyalty. The protection they enjoyed thus made ​​it possible to inhabit the castle without major interruption.

1587 the castle of Sir Edward Herbert was purchased; he was the father of the poet George Herbert and the philosopher Edward Herbert. Under him began to get out of the festivities as a residential palace with a long Elizabethan Gallery. Although the castle in 1644 in the English Civil War Puritans fell into the hands of a squad, it was not razed on the orders of Cromwell, because Herbert had taken the side of the Parliament troops. As the Herberts after the restoration of the Stuarts in 1667 the family property had been returned, began William Herbert, 3rd Baron Powis, with the expansion of the State Apartments. In addition, a French-style park was built on the southern slope.

1784 married the daughter of the last Baron Powis Edward Clive, Governor of Madras, and son of Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive. He took the permission of the Crown in the name Herbert and 1804 was created Earl of Powis charged.

Building and interior

The castle stands on a steep cliff; The oldest part is probably the rectangular donjon at the northern end. Constant use has the most cozy decor of the rooms consequence. Many rooms, including the large dining room and living room are paneled; as well as the long gallery from the 1590s. The state rooms were decorated by the Royalists persuaded Herbert with monograms of the Stuarts. The Blue living room was added later, and the large wooden staircase dates to the 17th century.

The rooms that were added in the 18th century, include accommodation for the staff and a ballroom. The hall is now used as Clive Museum. It has an exhibition of artifacts that had been collected by Robert Clive during his campaigns in India; including Indian swords, jewels and paintings as well as a reconstruction of the interior of the tent of a sultan.

Gardens

Showpiece of the castle are the voltages applied on the southeast side around 1660 Italian-style terraces, enlivened by stone balustrades, handsome vases and lead statues. On the top terrace is a long line of yew trees, while further down is an orangery. At the far eastern end of a yew hedge separates the adjacent kitchen garden part. At the foot of the terraces a baroque garden was created in the 17th century; today spreads there from the Great Lawn. Beyond this lawn is on a once called " wilderness" area designed a woodland garden in miniature.