Dewi the Dragon is the story of Harlech Castle, the fortress commissioned by King Charles I of Wales. The Castle is, in fact, built to commemorate a battle who sealed the fate of the last independent Prince of Wales; Llywelyn ap Gruffudd.
During the battle, the geography of the place was quite different from today; the sea protected the surrounding area, now the sea has receded. In the past the waves protected the castle walls, now a special sentinel guards it. Legend tells that sea is replaced by Dewi the Dragon.
Dewi the Dragon is standing like a majestic monument in a steel armor and he takes his role as guardian very seriously. The beautiful medieval castle and the inhabitants are under its protection.
Wales and dragons are inseparable, not only is a red dragon present in the national flag of the old principality. Welsh people feel a strong attachment to their flag because the old legends tell that it was once the heraldic colors of the legendary King Arthur. The Arthurian Legend is very much alive in this part of the United Kingdom and Welsh people are very proud of their heritage. Fiction or not, there is nothing more Welsh than a dragon.
In 2010, the artist Anthony Peacock received the commission to create Dewi. It became a gigantic sculpture of 78m2 of steel. The creature is made of welded large chunks of steel.
The measurements are impressive it is 3, 33 meters high and 4, 87 meters long with a wide of 3 meters. The completion of this art piece took more than 800 hours.
This monument is historically a reminder of the very brutal annexation of Wales by the English crown. The last Prince of Wales died by decapitation and his skull put on public display outside the Tower of London. In 1485 Wales would get its revenge when Henry VII acceded the English throne, his banner was the Welsh Dragon.
Exactly 203 years after the last Prince of Wales lost his head; a Welshman took possession of the English throne. The Tudor dynasty took over in England until the death of Elisabeth I, from then on The House of Stuart took over.
The castle had its fair share of battles and was the last fortress that stood against the revolutionary army of Cromwell in 1647.
Today Dewi the Dragon protects Wales again, made in England on the soil of Wales and referring to a complicated history. Medieval history in the United Kingdom that is worthwhile exploring.
That's awesome. Nice photos as well.
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Thank you.
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The @OriginalWorks bot has determined this post by @thalmaray to be original material and upvoted it!
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