Tenby
Coordinates: 51 ° 40 ′ 17 " N , 4 ° 41 ′ 58" W.
Tenby ( Welsh Dinbych-y-pysgod ) is a town in Pembrokeshire in Wales , which is located in the south of the county on Carmarthen Bay . The city is a market town and a popular seaside resort. The Pembrokeshire Coast Path also runs through town.
history
The Vikings probably established a settlement near Tenby in the early Middle Ages. In the late 11th century, the Normans under Arnulf Montgomery marched into South Pembrokeshire and made Tenby their headquarters . South Pembrokeshire was a sought-after property for its fertility and the town of Tenby was also strategically located against land-side attacks. During sieges, it was easy to take care of from the seaside. At that time there were repeated battles with the Welsh who refused to accept the confiscation of their land without a fight.
Over the next hundred years the primitive Welsh fort at Tenby was replaced by a simple castle on Castle Hill by Gerald of Windsor , the castellan of Pembroke. English or French troops were quartered there to repel the Welsh. Over the years, more and more Normans, French, English and Flemings immigrated to South Pembrokeshire and settled under the protection of Tenby Castle. The city wall from this period is largely preserved to this day. In 1153 the city and the castle were conquered once again by the Welsh. The brothers Maredudd and Rhys ap Gruffydd and their troops attacked the castle at night and were successful. This attack was an act of revenge for the attack on her brother Cadell ap Gruffydd . This Welsh nobleman had been injured by soldiers from the garrison while hunting near Saundersfoot . The brothers punished those responsible and then withdrew from the castle. Control took over her cousin William FitzGerald, who administered the province on behalf of the Earl of Pembroke.
In the next few years the attacks by the Welsh did not abate and finally an attack in 1187 was successful again. Under their leader Maelgwn ap Rhys , they conquered and sacked the city. The ownership soon changed back to Norman hands. The last conquest by the Welsh was in 1260 by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd during his campaign to liberate Wales.
In the late Middle Ages, Tenby's importance as a protected seaport increased, and in 1566 Portuguese sailors brought the first oranges to Wales via Tenby. In addition to sea trade, fishing and oyster fishing were the main sources of income in Tenby in the past.
During the English Civil War 1642-1646 Tenby stood on the side of the parliamentary troops . During this time a number of fortifications were built in the northwest and at the port. Despite these measures, initiated by Mayor David Hammond, the city was conquered by the royal troops in 1643. After the fortunes of war tipped back in favor of Parliament the next year, Tenby was ultimately the only town in South Pembrokeshire still in royal hands. One day three parliamentary sailing ships sailed into the bay and set fire to the city. A few days later, 500 soldiers with cannons under the command of Colonel Roland Laugharne marched outside the city gates and began shelling the city on March 7, 1644. After three days the city gate fell and the parliamentary troops moved into the city and took around 300 prisoners. Laugharne took command of the city.
Four years later, the commander's loyalty changed, who had long since disagreed with Oliver Cromwell's policies . He switched sides with Colonel Poyer, in command of the fortress in Pembroke. Cromwell immediately dispatched troops to Tenby to end the revolt. Cromwell's forces besieged the city for seven weeks before it surrendered. Poyer and Laugharne were handed over to court martial. This decided that one of the leaders of the revolt should die. This should be decided by lot and met Colonel Poyer, who was then shot dead. The Covent Garden Market stands at the place of execution today.
In the following centuries Tenby developed more and more into a seaside resort for the affluent population. It was particularly popular in the Victorian era . Many buildings from that time can still be seen today. Not only medical reasons led the people to Tenby, also naturalists, botanists, geologists and zoologists found interesting places for their areas of interest in the area.
During this time, the city's population grew enormously and more and more wealthy people built their own houses along the cliff to spend the winter there or even move entirely to Tenby. The steep stairs on the cliffs were also carved into the rock during this time. The flow of tourists increased again when a national monument to Prince Albert was erected on Castle Hill .
Before and during the Second World War, between 1933 and 1946, the Royal Air Force Station Manorbier was located about seven kilometers southwest , a military airfield of the Fighter Command of the Royal Air Force that was initially also used for civilian purposes . The area was later operated by the British Army as the Royal Artillery Range Manorbier and is now known as the Air Defense Range Manorbier (ADRM).
Tenby's city walls
After the city was conquered and destroyed for the last time by Llewelyn in the Middle Ages in 1260, it became clear that the city walls urgently needed to be reinforced. Above all, it should be ensured that all houses are within the city wall. The walls were also to be expanded with towers and city gates. The castle was to serve as a second defensive ring within the city wall. Together with these construction measures, a new road layout was also planned.
Work began around 1264 during the tenure of William de Valence, 1st Earl of Pembroke . To help finance the immense construction and maintenance costs of the walls, Tenby received from King Edward III. the right to collect taxes on goods that reached the city. This was so profitable that two additional towers could be built, as well as the barbican "Five Arches". In 1457, after Jasper Tudor was named Earl of Pembroke , he issued directives making the mayor and the township personally responsible for the safety of their town. As a result, the city walls were expanded again. Investments were made in both the thickness and the height of the walls and made them accessible all around. A trench was dug on the land side, which should make reaching the walls even more difficult. This was roughly where the South Parade and St. Florence Parade run along today.
The next noteworthy extension of the walls took place in 1588 when the Spanish Armada threatened to invade England. The walls near the West Gate were rebuilt and reinforced. Two new gates were built, one being the North Gate, which cordoned off Carmarthen Road and was demolished in 1706/1707. The Royal Lion Hotel was later built there.
tourism
The beautiful beaches, bays and cliffs in the area as well as the picturesque cityscape with its narrow streets ensure that tourism is flourishing even in modern times. Tenby also has some sights to offer:
- the Five Arches Barbican Gate
- St. Mary's Church , built in the 15th century
- the Tudor Merchant's House ( National Trust )
- the museum with art gallery
- Beaches, bays and castles
traffic
Boats run from Tenby Harbor to Caldey Island , while St Catherine Island can also be reached at low tide.
Personalities
- Alison Bielski , poet and writer
- Michael Bonacini , Chef, was born and raised in Tenby
- Rhidian Brook , writer, born in Tenby
- Charles Dale , actor, born in Tenby
- Kenneth Griffith , actor
- Augustus John , artist, born in Tenby
- Gwen John , artist
- Kate Lamb , actress, grew up in Tenby
- Michael Lieber , actor
- Clive Merrison , actor
- Robert Recorde , mathematician
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Michael Bonacini . Bell Media Television. Retrieved May 9, 2018.