North Wales is surprisingly close to Liverpool. In fact the Wirral Peninsula is bordered by the Mersey to the East, the Irish Sea to the North and the Dee to the West. If you are visiting relatives in Wallasey, and they live in a house that sits high up on the Wirral Peninsula, you can see the lights of Liverpool by turning your head to the right and the Welsh Mountains by turning your head to the left.
So it is not hard to reach Wales by car. In about an hour or so you can find yourself wending your way along narrow Welsh lanes hemmed in by the vibrant greens of trees and shrubs. So when you come to a pair of showy white gates (as seen in the image) the sight makes you stop. Further along you will find a field full of sheep with a castle in the background.
You have arrived at Chirk Castle built in 1295 by Roger de Mortimer. At that time, England was ruled by Edward I (1239-1307), known as The Hammer of the Scots. Before he turned his attentions to Scotland, Edward was busily crushing the life out of Wales. Chirk castle guards the entrance to the Ceirog valley and is part of a chain of castles that he built in North Wales. These include Beaumaris, Caernarfon, Conwy and Harlech and they are massive. Driving up to Conwy, you are struck by the hugeness of the castle that dominates the tiny town.
Was Edward I trying to send a message to the Welsh?
