The fortress on the headland that marked Tenby's foundation more than
10 centuries ago also is a symbol of Tenby's marriage to the sea. Many
place names in the area, Caldey, Goscar Rock, come from the tongue of
those great sea-goers the Vikings. The Normans occupied Pembroke and its
locality in the Norman Conquest and maintained this power over south Pembrokeshire
from the sea. They built a castle on the headland and hence the name Dinbych,
the little fortress. As the years went by and the town grew by the castle,
the Normans early ditch and earth ramparts were replaced by stone defenses
creating a walled town and strong defenses on Castle Hill, the cliffs
and round the harbour. |
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Some of this work was financed by the Royal
Grant of harbour dues showing that trade by sea too was substantial. By
the fifteenth century Tenby was trading with Bristol, Ireland, western
France, Portugal and Spain exporting hides, wool and coal and bringing
back canvas, salt, iron, pitch, flax, wine and oil. The Island shown above
is St. Catherine's Island, so named as there was once a Chapel built there
dedicated to St. Catherine, the patron Saint of spinners and weavers.
Two stone built hermit cells were also thought to have been sited there.
During the Napoleonic Wars, a chain of coastal fortifications were built
around the UK, with St. Catherine's Island chosen as a site due to its
prominence and proximity to the ports of Pembroke and Milford. Work began
in 1868, the building contractor being Mr. George Thomas of Orielton Terrace,
Pembroke Dock. Whilst excavating the foundations deep into the rock, the
ruins of a chapel were removed, together with an Egyptian effigy, bones
of a human skeleton, and some Roman coins, work was finally completed
in 1870, it was subsequently fortified and garrisoned but the guns were
never fired in anger.
In 1907 the Island was sold privately for £500, and eventually
by way of further sale, found its way into the hands of the wealthy Windsor
- Richards family, who were involved in the South Wales Iron and Steel
Industry. The elegance of their occupation is well remembered, with the
main hall carpeted with animal skins, glass trophy cabinets, Tapestries,
and many Stag heads and hunting trophies bedecking the walls. The principal
rooms were furnished in period styles, with the main hall containing its
huge open fireplace being a focal point for numerous lavish celebrations,
in particular, the Tenby Hunt Ball.
Around 1920 the family left Tenby, and much of the furniture and decor
from the Fort was sold in the Town, and is still can be found within homes
in the locality. Today the Fort lies derelict, stripped of its former
elegance, but steeped in character, and history. |
