Pendragon Castle

Charlie and I decided to go out for lunch, today, but also fancied a bit of an adventure, so I suggested that we visit Pendragon Castle, which the Minx and I came across on our journey down to Ribblehead in the camper van.

According to the sign at the entrance, it is a "12th century Norman keep with 14th century garderobe* turret."

After 900 years, I have to say that it's in remarkably good nick, and although we dutifuly acknowledged the warning about not going into any of the rooms or climbing on the walls, there was still plenty to see and access.

In my first Extra, you can see the remains of what might have been a large arched window, or perhaps a doorway out on to a balcony. The second Extra is taken just beneath the opening, so you can get an idea of the view they might have had.

I don't know why it struck me as notable that they would have wanted their view to be down, along the valley, but it felt like an odd connection to the past, and an affirmation that our ancestors were in many ways just like us. It's not surprising, but it touched me nonetheless.

I wonder how it would have been different, though? More trees, perhaps, particularly on the hillsides. Probably the same ominous clouds, too!

*According to Wikipedia, "Garderobe is a historic term for a room in a medieval castle. The Oxford English Dictionary gives as its first meaning a store-room for valuables, but also acknowledges "by extension, a private room, a bed-chamber; also a privy"."