If there is a castle that comes close to matching Harlech Castle in historical importance, that castle is surely Chepstow. Chepstow is a Norman castle perched high above the banks of the river Wye in southeast Wales. Construction began at Chepstow in 1067, less than a year after William the Conqueror was crowned King of England. It was his master castle builder in the person of his loyal Norman lord William FitzOsbern. FitzOsbern's fortresses were the vehicles from which the new king consolidated control of his newly conquered lands. Chepstow Castle became the key launching point for expeditions into Wales, expeditions that eventually subdued the rebellious population. Photos Char Terry Winter becky.bryan Red Kit Nigel Feasey scuba_dooba Karen McCort Phillip Parr Joe Dunckley Maggie McDonnell mrabanalc miss.piccolo mrssleepy(Rachelle Sadler) Jon Combe Martin Morland Marauder Karen & J.J. Morton Roman Solowiej kfy Doug Woods TimS Simon Music The Angels of Venice dragonfly Mediaeval Baebes gaudete Jeff van Dyck medieval II cathedral of doom Hans Zimmer strength and honor Hans Zimmer and Enya now we are free conceived and produced by Dale Caruso For more information about the Castles and Abbeys of Wales Visit http://www.castlewales.com/ And for more information about Jeff van Dyck's soundtrack track for the PC Game Total War and for information about the game itself, visit www.totalwar.com/