Ruperra Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Ruperra Castle |
|
|---|---|
| Lower Machen, Caerphilly, Wales | |
Ruperra Castle, in current ruinous condition
|
|
| Coordinates | 51°34′13″N 3°07′38″W / 51.5703°N 3.1271°W |
| Type | Manor House, mock Castle Grade II* Listed building, Scheduled Ancient Monument |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1626 |
| Built by | Sir Thomas Morgan |
Ruperra Castle, also known as Rhiwperra Castle, is an old castle in Lower Machen, Caerphilly, Wales. It was built a long time ago in 1626. Today, it is mostly in ruins, but it is still a very important historical site. It's protected as a Grade II* Listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.
Contents
History of Ruperra Castle
The Castle's Early Days
Ruperra Castle was built in 1626 by a man named Sir Thomas Morgan. He was a manager for the Earl of Pembroke. This castle was one of the first 'mock' castles in Wales. A mock castle looks like a real castle but is built more for comfort than for defense.
King Charles I visited Ruperra Castle in 1645. He stayed there for two nights after a big battle called the Battle of Naseby. Because the King visited, his royal coat of arms was added to the castle's South Porch. Even today, a public path from Rudry to the castle is known as "King's Drive."
New Owners and Changes
Later, a rich merchant named John Morgan bought the castle. He paid £12,400 for it, which was a huge amount of money back then. John Morgan never married. When he passed away in 1715, the castle became part of the large Tredegar estates. These estates belonged to another branch of the Morgan family.
In 1785, a fire badly damaged the castle. It was rebuilt and became a home for the future leaders of the Tredegar estate, especially in the 1800s.
Famous Residents and Developments
Godfrey Charles Morgan was born at Ruperra Castle. He later became a famous captain in the 17th Lancers. He took part in the brave but risky Charge of the Light Brigade during the Crimean War.
During the early Victorian age, Godfrey Charles Morgan made many improvements to the castle. He added three new lodges, which are small houses near the main entrance. In 1826, he built an iron bridge. This bridge allowed carriages to travel through Coed Craig Ruperra and cross the Rhymney River. This made it easier for the family and their staff to go to church in Lower Machen.
After Colonel Frederick Courtenay Morgan passed away in 1909, his son, Courtenay Morgan, 1st Viscount Tredegar, began to update the castle. He made small changes to the main house. His biggest projects included building new stables, as the old ones had burned down in 1895. He also added a new water reservoir and a power house. The power house had steam-driven generators to provide electricity. Older buildings like the brew house and laundry were changed to house the estate's staff.
A Castle in Decline
Evan Morgan was the next owner of Ruperra. He was known as a poet and was quite unique. He grew up at the castle. There's a story that he refused to sell it to the American businessman William Randolph Hearst. Hearst's girlfriend, actress Marion Davies, wanted a home in South Wales. However, she later saw pictures of St Donat's Castle and Hearst bought that property instead.
By 1935, the Morgan family's money was not as strong as it used to be. Even though they had spent a lot on Ruperra, their main home was Tredegar House. Ruperra was mostly used as a weekend hunting lodge. The entire 3,000 acres (1,200 ha) estate was put up for sale. The castle's contents were either moved to Tredegar House or sold at an auction.
World War II and Beyond
When World War II started, the castle was left empty. Like many large houses, the British Army took it over. Sadly, in 1941, another fire destroyed the castle while the army was using it.
After the war, the entire estate was sold off as farmland. The castle was left as a decaying ruin. It has remained in this ruined state ever since.
In 1998, Ashraf Barakat bought the castle. He tried to bring back the sport of polo to Wales. He wanted to build homes inside the castle, but his plan was not approved. This was because special bats, like the Greater horseshoe bat and Lesser horseshoe bats, were living there. He then asked to tear down the castle to build houses, but this was also refused.
In September 2010, Barakat put the castle up for sale for £1.5 million. It included 14 acres of land, with an option to buy another 16 acres. The castle was sold around July 2014.
See also
In Spanish: Castillo de Ruperra para niños
