Going Medieval
Fig. 1. Exterior of Cardiff Castle, Wales, as designed and restored for John Crichton-Stuart, third Marquess of Bute (1847–1900) by William Burges (1827–1881). The towers, right to left, are: the Clock Tower (1869–1874), Guest Tower (1875), Herbert Tower (built 1580s, heightened about 1880), Beauchamp Tower (built c. 1432–1439, spire added 1878), and the Bute Tower (built 1780s, heightened 1875).
Except as noted, all photographs are courtesy of the Cardiff Council.
Cardiff, the handsome capital of Wales, is known for its eponymous research university, its National Museum and art gallery, the open-air St. Fagans National Museum of History, well-preserved Victorian and Edwardian shopping arcades, abundant parklands, and other distinguishing attractions. However, the center of town boasts Cardiff’s chief glory, a many-towered fantasy whose crenellated walls, tall spires, and varied rooftops suggest some mythical stronghold (Fig. 1). Cardiff Castle embodies roughly two thousand years of history, and, in addition to its venerable exterior, its opulent high Victorian interiors combine medieval and other romantic styles to project a compelling historical narrative that embodies the erudite passions of its most notable owner, John Crichton-Stuart, third Marquess of Bute (Fig. 15).