Tretower is particularly interesting because the site clearly shows the movement from defensive castles to luxury homes following the changing tastes of gentry families between 1300 and 1700. The story reflects the relative peace which came to the Marches after the troubled years of the Middle Ages.

The final record of the castle's use for a military purpose comes during the wars of Owain Glyndŵr but, within less than half a century after the end of Glyndŵr's rebellion, with the site now owned by the family of Raglan Castle, there had been another major change. The half-brother of the owner, Sir Rhosier Fychan, set about building a luxury mansion to match his status as the most prominent Welsh commoner. This was the period when Tretower Court was at the height of its fame as an esteemed sponsor of poets, especially by Sir Rhosier's son, Sir Thomas Vaughan (as the English form of the name became more commonly known then). Bards such as Dafydd Epynt, Huw Cae Llwyd and Nant have sung the family's praises but the most famous was Lewis Glyn Cothi, one of the great poets of the nobility.

One of Wales's most famous manuscripts, the Red Book of Hergest, had been at Tretower during this period, as Lewis has added two 'awdlau' to it, both praising Sir Thomas and his three sons. As for the building, this too was its golden age.

Product Code: CPC00038

Published 2016 / 8 pages / ISBN 978-1-8576-360-6

Size 150mm (w) x 210mm (h) Welsh language

Thank you for your order.

Prices shown are for UK delivery only. To discuss overseas orders please email CadwOnlineShop@gov.wales.

DELIVERY INFORMATION
Standard UK delivery (by Royal Mail or Courier) £2.95

Standard Delivery
Applies to UK standard rate delivery only – you can expect delivery by Royal Mail or courier within 7 working days of placing your order.

It may take longer to deliver to remote areas, including the following post codes: AB, BT, DD 8-11, HS, IV, KA 27-28, KW, PA20-23, 28-29, 31, 34, 41 onwards, PH8, 10, 16, 18 onwards, TR21-25, ZE.

When will my products be delivered?
After you have placed your order online, we will send you an order confirmation email with the subject ‘Cadw Online Shop – thank you for your purchase’.

If you have not received this email within 24 hours of placing your order or your products have not been delivered within the timescale stated in the email, then please send an email to: CadwOnlineShop@gov.wales.

Tickets
If you have purchased tickets for an event, these will be sent to you via email. Please bring your e-ticket(s) along with you in order to gain entry to the event.

Day tickets
If you have purchased day tickets, these will be sent to you via email. Please bring your e-ticket(s) along with you in order to gain entry to the site.

All day tickets are valid for 12 months from date of purchase. If you haven’t received your e-tickets within an hour of completing your transaction we advise checking your junk folder and spam folder.

Sometimes sites are closed for reasons beyond our control, we recommend checking the Cadw website, checking our Facebook or Twitter accounts or even calling the site ahead of your planned visit just to make sure there are no planned closures.

If you are a Cadw member and are buying tickets to attend with guests then please remember to bring your valid membership card to enjoy free entry.

RETURNS AND REFUNDS

Our returns policy:
We hope you will be delighted with your purchase. Should you wish to return a product (excluding publications) bought from us, we will be happy to refund or exchange in full.

Important: Publications can only be refunded if faulty/damaged during transit or prior to dispatch, or if the incorrect publications is sent to you by us.

Items must be unused, in original packaging (with labels) and returned within 30 days of receiving your order. This policy is in addition to your statutory rights and consumer rights.

To arrange a return, please email CadwOnlineShop@gov.wales where you will receive a Returns Authorisation Code and a returns form. Goods should be returned along with your completed returns form to:

Cadw Retail – Online Shop,
Unit 5/7 Cefn Coed,
Parc Nantgarw,
Cardiff.
CF15 7QQ

Please send your package using a secure or traceable method and keep your proof of postage. Return costs are borne by the customer unless an item is faulty. 

If we sent you an item you did not order (an "incorrect" item), please email us and we’ll send you a pre-paid postage voucher in order to return to us.

All refunds will be processed within 14 days from the date the returned items have been received.

Refunds will be credited back to your original method of payment within approximately two days of being processed. Depending on your bank, it may take longer for the credit to appear on your account statement.

Please note: If you have purchased an item at a Cadw shop and would like a refund, this can be processed in store only. Please do not use the above process.

Items we are unable to refund or exchange

We are unable to offer a refund or exchange on the following products (unless faulty):

• publications; such as guidebooks / guide pamphlets
• perishable goods; such as food
• personal grooming products
• cosmetics
• pierced jewellery
• unsealed CD, DVD or videos

We will refund you the full delivery charge when a product is returned as faulty or damaged, but not when a product is simply unwanted.

Faulty items

If an item is faulty, please contact us on 03000 250022 or email CadwOnlineShop@gov.wales to discuss arrangements for the return or replacement of the item.