A massive and powerful coastal defence, Harlech still appears formidable, with its uncompromising strength and domination set against the backdrop of Snowdonia national park.

Built under the guidance of James of St. George towards the end of the 13th century, Harlech Castle is one of the four great castles in Wales built for Edward I.

Situated on the top of a rocky outcrop, this superb location provided the castle with natural defences, with the only weakness from attack, being from the east and south. To overcome this, a wide, deep ditch was cut into the rock surface to prevent attack from these points, as well as a gatehouse being constructed on the high ground to the east.

Resembling a Keep, the three-storey structure has two round towers flanking the entrance passage. As with a traditional Keep, the gatehouse also contained domestic accommodation.

Little else in the inner bailey survives, but the original domestic buildings can be identified as a chapel, bakehouse and well along the northern wall, a granary and the small hall along the southern wall, and the great hall along the west wall. At the end of the 13th century, Harlech Castle came under and withstood an attack by the Welsh. During the early part of the 15th century Harlech was once again under siege but this time the castle was surrendered to the attacking army. The English once again regained the castle with it coming under royal control a few years later by the future King Henry V.

As the last Royalist stronghold in Wales, Harlech’s demise came during the Civil War. She was spared the unceremonious destruction inflicted on most captured castles at the time. Today the only enemy she faces are the ravages of time and the forces of nature.

A massive and powerful coastal defence, Harlech still appears formidable, with its uncompromising strength and domination set against the backdrop of Snowdonia national park.

1 cup Vinegar

1 cup Wine

1/4 tsp Pepper

1/8 tsp Saffron

2 lb Freshwater fish, cleaned and filleted

Method :

• Combine vinegar, wine, pepper, and saffron in a saucepan. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes. Add fish and poach for a further 10 minutes, or until fish flakes. Remove and leave to cool. Strain the marinade and pour over the fish. Marinate overnight.

• Drain the fish fillets and serve cold on a bed of lettuce with mayonnaise. The fish needs no additional cooking, as the vinegar marinade 'cooks' it as in a modern ceviche.

Serve forth and enjoy

Wedding Traditions and Marriage Laws Pt 1

Welcome to a new 7 part series in which we discover which of our modern day wedding traditons and customs originated from the Middle Ages.

Many of today’s traditions and customs have their origins dating back to medieval times. This era between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Reformation was unique and through it all, faith was the ever-present channel for creative, academic, social, and political development. Medieval marriage was still the province of the Church, and matrimony was central to the Christian belief.

Grooms, on average, were much older than their brides. Noble women sometimes didn't marry until the age of 24 with more than 3/4 married before they reached 19. Medieval Europe was inhabited by the young, with more than half of the population under 20 years of age.

By the Middle Ages, marriage laws began to evolve. The Council of Westminster decreed in 1076 that no man should give his daughter or female relative to anyone without a priestly blessing. Later councils declared that marriage should not be secret but held in the open and by the 16th century it became law that a priest was required to perform the betrothal ceremony. Separation was tolerated, but there was no legal divorce, though marriages between those too closely related could be annulled.

Wedding customs meant agreements or contracts were drawn up describing the rights of both the bride and groom, sound Familiar.....! Medieval marriage ceremonies and celebrations depended largely on the social standing of the bride and groom. Inheritance and property were usually two reasons why arranged marriages were contracted.

In part 2 we learn about customs and ceremonies.

• Call ahead to the hotel to see if they offer any laundry services. See if they include items in your room such as, robes and toiletries that will reduce your packing needs.

• Coordinate your outfits around a central colour so you’ll be able to mix and match.

• Check the weather, so you can bring the most appropriate items. Remember to account for seasonal and daily temperature fluctuations and also keep in mind that increases in altitude will decrease temperature.

• Plan your outfits so you can layer instead of bringing lots of coats. • Take a solid colour sweater that will match any outfit to use to keep you warm. • List all the items you are taking and check to see if you really need each item, in other words, is there something else you could take to kill two birds with one stone.

• Take small sample sizes of toiletries that will last just long enough instead of huge bottles.

• Don’t waste an inch of your luggage space, pack underwear and socks inside your shoes. This will also help your shoes keep their shape. Pack your belts around the edge of the luggage.

• Take some old clothes with only one last wear in them. You can then toss them out and use the room for the souvenirs you’ll want to bring home