If this is Thursday it must be postcards, 528

 

 

 

 

 

 

Conwy Castle, North Wales, ca. 1970s

 

Here are another couple of castle postcards shared by friends.  The card above shows one angle of Conwy Castle.  This is an unused postcard by J. Arthur Dixon.  The picture shows the north front of the castle.  The card was printed by HMSO by W.S. Cowell Ltd., Ipswich.  P.4. appears at the lower left corner on the reverse. 

 

This castle was also built by Edward I between 1283 and 1289.  Part of the project included extending the walls to encompass the town of Conwy.  For centuries the castle and walls played important parts in wars, withstanding sieges, and providing safe havens.  UNESCO rates Conwy as one of “the finest examples of late 13^th century military architecture in Europe.”  Conwy is also classed as a World Heritage site. 

 

 

 

Conwy Castle from the south, Gwynedd, Wales, ca 1970s

 

 

The second unused postcard has P.2. at the lower left corner on the reverse.  It is Hawlfraint y Goron card printed in England for H.M.S.O., Larkfield Printing Company Limited.

 

Forces loyal to Charles I held the castle in 1642 during the outbreak of the English Civil War.  The castle was surrendered to Parliamentary armies in 1646 and the castle was left slighted to prevent being used in any future revolt.  Eventually even iron and lead was stripped and sold off leaving it completely ruined in 1665.  In the 18^th and 19^th centuries it was a popular destination for painters.  As visitor numbers increased restoration work was carried out.  Today the ruined castle is managed by Cadw as a tourist attraction. 

 

Thanks K and J for sharing the postcards.

 

For additional information, see:

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki.Conwy_Castle