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Ruthin
Castle (name derived from the Welsh words meaning 'red fort') abounds with legends and is one of the
most romantic and historic castles in Wales and described by guests
as "truly magical".
In the days when there was probably no more than a wooden fort on the site, ancient Ruthin has an Arthurian legend first found chronicled in the early 12th century and again in the early 16th century, based upon a relationship with Huail, a local chief. Huail fought King Arthur on the Isle of Man over one of the King's mistresses and managed to wound him in the knee. Arthur agreed to maintain a truce with Huail as long as he never referred to beating him in combat and the wounded knee, but whilst Arthur was disguised as a woman when visiting another mistress in Ruthin, Huail recognised him and mocked him with a comment that ‘the dancing were all right if it were not for the knee’. Outraged, King Arthur had Huail beheaded, and the limestone block on which the execution was held can be found in the town square.
A wooden fort appears to have existed on the site until 1277 when Edward I of England reconstructed it in local stone shortly before he built his famous great castles at Conwy and Caernarfon and granted it to Dafydd, brother of Prince Llewelyn ap Graffudd.
In 1282 the castle was under the control of Reginald de Grey, reputedly the former Sheriff of Nottingham who had just defeated ‘Robin Hood’ and his followers. During the following centuries the reddish-pink stone structure evolved and the castle played an important role in the defence of the region, again forming part of the Crown Estate from 1508 until sold by Charles I in 1632 shortly before the Parliamentary forces of the Civil War made Ruthin Castle their first target in the area and seized control, later causing large parts to be demolished.
In 1826 the modern castle was constructed and extended around, amongst and over the remaining ancient ruins and has frequently hosted members of the Royal Family including Edward VII and HRH Prince Charles.
In
one of its most romantically exciting periods the castle in the 19th century
was owned by the Cornwallis-West family and was the centre of dangerous romantic intrigue at the highest level as Colonel Cornwallis-West's wife (known as 'Patsy' to her family and close friends), at just 16 years old,
was embroiled in a long affair with Edward, Prince of Wales (later
becoming Edward VII)... a trait she presumably inherited from her mother
who had previously been involved in an affair with Prince Albert, consort
to Queen Victoria, which had resulted in her being temporarily banished
to Ireland. Patsy Cornwallis-West was beautiful, exciting, at the height of
society (including appearances in Vanity Fair) and notorious as a flirt and
for her open and full enjoyment of life. Her favourite party trick at one
time was to toboggan down the stairs of the castle on a tea tray in the presence
of the future King. She entertained many famous guests at Ruthin Castle including Lady Randolph Churchill (mother of Sir Winston Churchill) and the actress Lillie Langtry, who also had an affair with the Prince of Wales and
who's child reputedly shared the same dubious parentage as Patsy's son George.
During the First World War she was involved in a scandal before Parliament
and the press that resulted in an Act of Parliament being dramatically introduced
by David Lloyd George and a cover-up which almost brought down the British Government.
Ruthin
Castle TodayToday Ruthin Castle remains an important landmark, all of which is listed as of special historic importance and much is listed as a Scheduled Ancient Monument including the old walls, tunnels, underground dungeons, whipping pit and drowning pool.
More information regarding the history and architectural heritage can be
found at http://www.castlewales.com/ruthin.html
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