Sir John Perrot and Carew Castle

With the execution of Rhys ape Gruffudd, Carew entered a new phase of history. The castle was leased by the Crown to a variety of occupants until Sir John Perrot, quite possibly an illegitimate son of Henry VIII, took tenancy in 1558.

It was in this time that the ‘Elizabethan’ era was born. Elizabeth I had come to the throne and with her a new style of doing things. Wales had been merged into England, and counties had replaced the old ‘kingdoms’, with representation in Parliament. Justices of the Peace, men taken from the local noble lineages, upheld Law in the counties.

Sir John embraced this new order. He also owned others castle, most notably Roch and Laugharne in what is now Tenby. But he followed in the footsteps of the previous owners of Carew, determined to make the most of this castle.

Sir John’s greatest achievement at Carew was the construction of the three-story North Range. It most prominent feature was the Long Gallery. Decorated with beautiful art and furnishing, the breathtaking view of the millpond and homage to heraldic crests, it was the ‘in' place to be. No doubt someone was asked to attend the Gallery, their place in high society was confirmed.

The Outer Ward was given new plantings and the parklands of the castle were greatly extended. The village of Carew was placed out in this time frame and its layout has not changed to the present day.

Perrot was convicted in 1591 of high treason against Queen Elizabeth and he never lived to see the work completed on Carew. He died in the tower of London in 1592. His son was given tenancy, but only surviving for two more years, he wasn’t able to make any impact on Carew. The castle again returned to the Crown in 1594.

Editor Note: In my research for this series of articles I have used the following printed resourses: Carew Castle Souvenir Guide, published by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park

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