The Cambrian Directory [1800]; Or, Cursory Sketches of the Welsh Territories.: With a Chart, Comprehending at One View, the Advisable Route, Best Inns, Distances, and Objects Most Worthy of Attention.Anonymous
History
The Cambrian Directory [1800]; Or, Cursory Sketches of the Welsh Territories.: With a Chart, Comprehending at One View, the Advisable Route, Best Inns, Distances, and Objects Most Worthy of Attention.
Anonymous
Wales -- Guidebooks
Mr. Wyndham has so minutely delineated the Present State of this Castle,
that I cannot do better than transcribe his account.
“The approach (says this Author) to Pembroke from the River, shews
the Town and Castle to the most beautiful advantage. The Town is
situated upon the ridge of a long and narrow rock, gradually
ascending to the highest point, on which stands the Castle, at the
brink of the precipice. If I may compare small things with great, it
much resembles the situation of Edinburgh.
“The Castle is of Norman architecture, mixed with early Gothic. The
principal tower, which is uncommonly high and perfect, has even its
stone vaulted roof remaining. The walls of this tower are fourteen
feet in thickness, the diameter of the space within is twenty-five,
and the heighth, from the ground to the crown of the dome, is
seventy-five feet; but visible marks appear within, that its heighth
was originally divided by four floors.
“Henry VII. was born in the present Castle. The natural Cavern,
called the Wogan, lies immediately under the Chapel, and opens with a
wide mouth towards the river. A communication from the Cavern to the
Castle, was made by a stair-case, on the outside of the rock; the
entrance was barricaded with a strong wall, partly remaining, through
which there is now a large door-way opened to the shore of the river.
The Cavern appears nearly circular; its diameter is fifty-three feet;
and its height is proportionable to the diameter.
“In the Civil War this Castle was a garrison for the Crown, and being
besieged, made a gallant defence.”
At Pembroke we hired a boat, {41} intending to sail round the extensive
Haven of Milford; and, as we retired from the shore, we took a retrospect
of the dilapidated walls of the Castle, once the terror, and even in
ruins the pride of the scene. It is most advisable to make this
excursion at high water, as it adds much to the picturesque scenery of
the _tout ensemble_.
MILFORD HAVEN,
is justly compared to “an immense lake; for the mouth not being at any
distance visible, the whole Haven seems land-locked. Though it is a mile
and three quarters wide, it could not be defended against an enemy, nor
is there a sufficiency of timber in the neighbourhood. {42a} This Haven
is formed by a great advance of the sea into the land, it being above ten
miles from the Southernmost point at Nangle to Pembroke, beyond which the
tide comes up to and beyond Carew Castle. It is capable of holding the
whole navy of England, and the same is said of Cork Harbour. {42b} The
spring tides rise thirty-six feet, the neap above twenty-six. Ships may
be out of this Haven in an hour’s time, and in eight or ten hours over at
Ireland, or at the Land’s End, and this with almost any wind, by day or
night.” Our reception at the miserable place of
HUBBERSTON,
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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