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Griffin-Lloyd Shooting Ground is
located on the Welsh side of a part of Britain known as the Welsh Marches.
The Welsh Marches were a bloody
area that hosted some of Britain’s fiercest battles in the Country’s
history. Yet it is an area of
outstanding natural beauty, with striking rolling countryside with a
richness of natural history in its flora and fauna. This part of Britain has been inhabited for many
years. There is evidence of Stone Age and Bronze Age settlement with Iron
Age hill forts taking advantage of some of the summits.
The area’s importance started in
Roman times with King Caractacus making his final stand
against the might of the Roman Legions at Caer Caradoc Nr Knighton.
The famous roman road Watling Street ran through the area on it way
to the roman garrison town known to day as Chester.
All through history The Marches has
been fought over. King Offa tried to keep the Welsh at bay by building Offa's
Dyke. These historic defensive earthworks now provide a renown walk known as
Offa's Dyke's Path.
The Welsh Marches were created when William I established the
border earldoms of Chester, Shrewsbury, and Hereford to protect his English
kingdom. Norman barons were encouraged by William's successors to conquer
and hold other earldoms in the east of Wales. These nobles ruled as petty
feudal princes, owing allegiance only to the king. Attempts to control the
resulting lawlessness were made by Edward I and by Edward IV, who set up the
Council of Wales and the Marches in 1471. Finally the act of Union (1536)
abolished the more than100 marcher lordships, providing for their division
into Welsh shires or their incorporation into English counties.
The nearby town of Ludlow was once
the site of English government. This traditional black and white market town
boast fine architecture and castle for visitors to view. It is also reputed
for its fine selection of restaurants and its festival in the summer. The
festival is a mixture of Shakespeare, acted out in the castle grounds and
jazz being played live in the local hostelries.
Shrewsbury and Hereford are both
historic cities with something for the visitor. Hereford houses Bulmer’s
Cider and the Map-a-Mundy while Shrewsbury provides excellent shopping in an
historic atmosphere.
Visit Griffin-Lloyd and the Welsh Marches. Soak
up the history and enjoy the natural beauty in an area of Britain that still
is un-spoilt yet bears the scars of time and conflicts past.
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