Goodrich Castle

Today we visit a castle near the English-Welsh border called Goodrich Castle. While it does not appear to be in such great shape compared to, for example Bodiam Castle, it is one of the better preserved medieval castles in the UK. I'm sure that part of the reason that it is in worse shape is the fact that it is about 200 years older than Bodiam. Then there is that pesky Civil War that was unkind.

In 1646 a Royalist garrison surrendered to the Parliamentarians after a siege of two months. The mortars played havoc with the structure.

To the right of the photo below (where the flag is flying half mast for the departed Queen) is the barbican where visitors would dismount their horses to enter the castle through the gatehouse.

Inside the castle is 'Roaring Meg', one of the mortars that was used to reduce this castle.

Next to the gatehouse is the chapel. Both the floor and roof are reconstructions since both were destroyed in 1648. The stained glass window was designed by Nicola Hopwood and installed in 2000. Although it is over exposed here, you can, with some imagination, figure out that it is showing the water course of the nearby Wye river.