If Oxwich Castle Isn't A Castle, What Is It?

Oxwich Castle or Castell Oxwich in the Welsh Tounge is, in fact, a Fortified Tudor manor house. It overlooks Oxwich Bay on the Gower Peninsula, and while the current building, built in the sixteenth century is not a castle, its predecessor, built in the thirteenth and fourteenth century, really was. The building we see today, built by Sir Rice Mansel and his more extravagant son Sir Edward Manse was constructed to attract the Royal Court as it made its Progress around its realm. Sadly Oxwich Castle was a little too far off the beaten track for this to be successful.
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[@JKsWatchables]

That would be a great place to haunt! I will be applying for a vacancy when my time's up.

[@MostlyCastles]

I believe that there’s already a ghost there so at least you will have company. 👻😀

[@TheKayakCrew]

It would be interesting to know who built the original 13th century castle. One of the Norman lords such as de Breos I would imagine

[@henryvagincourt4502]

Must say I did re-watch, was just as good as the first time, hope you two are keeping well?

[@MostlyCastles]

That’s so kind, thank you 😊 We are pretty good ta- setting up for winter. We hope you are doing ok?

[@henryvagincourt4502]

@@MostlyCastles Pretty well thanks, taking what comes in life :) How's things with the channel?

[@MostlyCastles]

Glad to hear you’re ok! The channel is still on pause do due *gesticulates wildly* We’re thinking about how we might return when it’s more feasible

[@jonniea6601]

I’d say it was more a fortified Manor House

[@sylviawright8995]

Jenkin Mansel, 1461-1510 was born at Oxwich Castle. He is my 13th great grandfather.

[@MostlyCastles]

That's very impressive that you can trace you family back that far. I wouldn't have a clue who my ancestors are. Have you ever visited the castle?

[@hanescymru3037]

Mine to!

[@hanescymru3037]

And Sir Rys Mansel (1497-1559)

[@sylviawright8995]

@@MostlyCastles Sorry, just got this message. Yes, we have visited Oxwich, we loved it & want to go again! The staff at Oxwich were so helpful & kind.

[@MostlyCastles]

@@sylviawright8995 That's OK. The staff there were marvellous when we went. We spent ages having a good natter with the lovely lady working in the little shop. Very well informed and downright interesting to talk to. It is certainly one we would like to see again.

[@bagginssupercat]

Thats a heap I would definitely inhabit!!

[@MostlyCastles]

Especially the bits with a roof!

[@bagginssupercat]

@@MostlyCastles roofs always help!!! Hahaha!

[@MostlyCastles]

Especially now. Wales is experiencing some serious "Bucketing it down". This is normal.

[@bagginssupercat]

@@MostlyCastles same here. It does help maintain the green and pleasant lands etc...

[@MostlyCastles]

That is so true. It is very, very green here. 😀

[@mykpilgrim]

Loving the hat miss Jo :)

[@MostlyCastles]

What hat?

[@mykpilgrim]

@@MostlyCastles this hat :) 02:41

[@MostlyCastles]

I see no hat 😉

[@mykpilgrim]

@@MostlyCastles ahh I must be mistaken then ;)

[@MostlyCastles]

Clearly, but we’ll let it slide 😁

[@lizadams2263]

Do we have any idea of the origin of the name? Aside from being too hard to say.

[@MostlyCastles]

A little digging reveals that it is believed to be a mixture of the Welsh word wysg, a current or stream, with Wich coming from the Norse wic, a bay or a creek. The Vikings certainly used this part of the Welsh coastline and indeed they derived their name (Vik-ings) from the wics or creeks they harboured their longships in. Google really is very handy.

[@lizadams2263]

@@MostlyCastles What about the ox? Sounds like monty python..

[@MostlyCastles]

It does a bit. I'm afraid that has stumped me. I know it's not from the Latin or the Greek and I don't think Welsh or the French uses Ox as a prefix, but that's about it. 'Tis a mystery. Someone must know, but I have no idea who.

[@lizadams2263]

Large lumps of stone. You're baffling me with all the technical terms.

[@MostlyCastles]

Well, we do like to keep up to date with the correct terminology. I suppose I could have described it as dressed stone but that just sounds like it's wearing a suit.