Welsh Castle Quiz
Welsh Castle Quiz
Ok...Let's see how well you know your Welsh Castle trivia. See if you can correctly answer the following 20 questions about Welsh castles. The questions have been made up using past entries from our monthly newsletter's "Mystery Castle" section. Some of the questions contain clues and riddles to help you solve the puzzle!Score 5 points for each correct answer. The scoring key is located at the end of the quiz. Of course, all the answers to these questions can be found somewhere on "The Castles of Wales." Good luck!
Question #1
"I had a very short life as a castle, and my builder was the last of his line. My fall and destruction was the result of being too close to my English neighbor, who didn't like me at all! I was hidden underground until recently, but today I'm quite visible. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"
Question #2
"I'm the grand old man of Welsh castles and my survival represents something of a milestone. Although my history spans the entire castle-building period, my walls witnessed no major battles. One of my towers is named after a famous prisoner who was once my guest. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle"?
Chepstow
"I was the last of my kind and am found in a land of ancient Druids and holy saints. Some say I'm perfect while others lament that I never reached my full potential. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle"?
"I'm located a bit off the beaten track and therefore many people overlook me in favor of my more famous English neighbor to the North. That's a real shame because seated high in my chair, I am found in a region of outstanding beauty that overlooks a strategic route into north Wales. I was built by princes and coveted by kings before my final fall. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"
"I am situated on a well-appointed site overlooking the junction of two rivers, the Llynfi and Dulais, guarding the main route into the Welsh territory of Brycheiniog. My impressive round keep crowns a massive mound overlooking a modern home and gardens that sits on the site of my vanished inner bailey. Although I'm much older, one of the earliest references to me was from none other than Gerald of Wales in 1188. What castle am I?"
"There is evidence of pre-historic and Roman occupation at my site, and Welsh legend also associates me with King Arthur himself! My owners have included Welsh princes and English kings. I suffered greatly during the Glyndwr revolt and during the Wars of the Roses. Be sure to bring a torch (flashlight) with you when you come to visit. What castle am I and can you explain my clues?"
"I am first referred to in the Domesday Book. My builder was an important comrade-in-arms of William the Bastard, and my later owners were among history's most notorious noble-Marcher families. Although some would say that my remains are "gaunt" I've recently had an expensive face-lift that has me looking, not as I did in my prime, but rather more like I did in your grandfather's day. What castle am I and can you explain my clues?"
"My earlier walls were commended by none other than Gerald of Wales himself! I was originally a simple motte castle dating to the late 11th century, however my defences were supplemented by massive stone fortifications following my destruction in the early 13th century. Although I'm not prone to gambling, I still managed to hit the jackpot last year, which should help bring me out of hiding soon. Come visit me the next time you're roamin' through this part of Wales. What castle am I and can you explain my clues?"
"Although today I am quite ruined and often overlooked, my walls and towers are stained with the blood of both Welsh and Norman medieval warriors. An unspeakable act of treachery within my halls, condemned by the church and by both sides of the conflict, have assured my infamous place in medieval Welsh history. What castle am I and can you explain my clues?"
"I began life as an earth and timber castle and I am mentioned by none other than Gerald of Wales who paid a visit to my walls in 1188. In 1220 I withstood an attack by Llywelyn the Great and was later owned to such famous people as Queen Eleanor (wife of Edward I) and the Black Prince! You'll have a cow when you hear what happened to me during the Civil War. What castle am I and can you explain my clues?"
"I was the cradle of Welsh Kings long before the age of the castle, although my crowning achievement is something of a folly. Two of my Welsh brothers live nearby. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"
"I've been a favorite of both the English and the Welsh, Lancastrians and Royalists alike. I used to live at the beach but I moved away years ago. People have been singing my praises for many years, and on a clear day I can see my brother to the north. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"
"I'm situated in a place of great beauty. When visiting me you won't have to worry about dodging arrows fired by medieval knights, although you may have to be on the lookout for eagles and the bogey man. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"
"I'm a junior castle and my mentor was the grand old man of Welsh castles. Up until a few years ago I looked pretty bad, but now I'm as handsome as ever! My original owner was French, but my current owner is a an American. As in medieval times, today I entertain guests during the day and at night. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"
"My construction began a "chain" reaction in north Wales and my walls witnessed much fighting in the wars between the Welsh and English. However, I am probably better known for my association with the last Plantagenet king of England. Like many castles in Wales I was "slighted" or ruined by Parliamentary forces following the English Civil War. What castle am I and can you explain my clues?"
"Historians feel that my site was probably fortified long before the age of the castle, however no traces of this settlement can be found today. Although some considered me a minor castle, I earned my place in history by holding out for over two weeks against an intense siege. I enjoyed some measure of revenge when I crushed to death about 100 men who were seeking to bring down my walls during the siege. What castle am I, and can you explain my clues?"
"I replaced a castle that's not too far away (as the crow flies). I'd be lion if I told you there was a lot to explore at my site, although a survey in the late 16th century shows that my impressive towers and walls were still mostly intact then. What castle am I and can you explain my clues?"
"My name is Brian. My builders were princes, and I am located close to a famous Welsh town (as the crow flies, that is). I was fortified long before the age of the castle and overlook the home of two famous ladies. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"
"I overlook a major river link to the sea, and my history as a fortified site stretches back to the days of the Roman occupation of Britain. The most striking thing about me is my tall motte on which rests my slight remains. In my first life as a castle I was made of earth and timber; then I graduated to stone. The year 1151 was a bad one for me. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"
"My exact origins are unknown, although I was probably built by a local Welsh lord in the 1240s. The remains you see in this 19th-century depiction are after I had a face-lift in the 1270s/80s. I'm a little red-faced over my sorry appearance in this drawing, although most would say that today I'm a real "bute". Who am I and can you explain my riddle?"
Quiz Scoring Key
80-100% - Great work! You really know your Welsh castle trivia. You may move to the head of the barbican (er...class).
50-55% - Well...at least you got half of 'em right! You are somewhat familiar with Welsh castles.
40-45% - Henry, our pet parrot, scored in this range. You need to spend more time browsing these pages. Then these questions will be a snap!
Thanks for taking the Welsh Castle Quiz!
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