Iron Age Fort

10th June 2011
Iron Age Fort
Castell Henllys

The weather was very kind to the WI members who took part in the 2,000 year trip back in time to Castell Henllys, Bryngaer Oes Haearn, the Iron Age Fort in the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, as it seemed to have rained everywhere else.

The thatched roundhouses are the only ones in Britain to have been actually built on the original site, so that it looks now much as it would have looked over 2,000 years ago. The thatches have been preserved for over 30 years by the smoke from the central fires.  Trial and error taught them that a hole in the roof created draughts, but allowing the smoke to rise in the enclosed space protected the thatch from bugs etc and also, helped to stop moss from forming on the roof. A good example of the present learning from the past.  

The roundhouses were surprisingly well furnished, the chief's building having rooms, containing wooden beds, partitioned off for sleeping, and plenty of seating accommodation as it was also used as a banqueting hall where considerable amounts of imported wine were consumed.  

They worked and played hard, and were at one with their environment, ate their own produce, and could expect  to live to about 50 years old. This was in sharp contrast to an ordinary medieval man living in the streets of London who could only expect to live till the age 0f 25 years, or thereabouts. One wonders, in this age of technology, how much we have learned, and how much we could learn from he past. This fascinating information, and much, much more, was imparted to the group by Roger, a most enthusiastic and informative guide, who made the place come to life.

What a wonderful visit, finished off by a trip to Narberth for lunch, a good laugh (plenty of those), and a wander around the many interesting little shops in the town. Another delightful day out.