Nantyglo/ Industry and Revolution
Nantyglo Ironworks
'View of Nantyglo Ironworks', probably by Henry Gastineau, c. 1829
Watercolour
Source here: National Museum of Wales:
This dramatic watercolour shows a typical south Wales ironworks at dusk or night. Banks of blast furnaces can be seen on both sides of the Ebbw Fach river with early terraces of workers' housing close by. It was painted when south Wales was just beginning to dominate the international rail trade, and was published as an engraving in Gastineau's 'South Wales Illustrated' in 1830.
The ironworks at Nantyglo, which was famous for its bar iron production, features in Alexander Cordell's famous novel 'The Rape of the Fair Country', set shortly before and after the date of this watercolour.
Nantyglo Roundhouses
Nantyglo Roundhouses
Source here:
blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
The Nantyglo Roundhouse complex is a unique relic of the Industrial Revolution. It was built in about 1816 by Joseph and Crawshay Bailey, the Ironmasters of the Nantyglo Ironworks, as a defended refuge against armed revolt by their workforce.
In effect, it was the last private castle built in Britain.
No other site in Wales gives so stark a reminder of the bitter conflict between Ironmasters and workforce. The towers symbolise the social upheaval which gave birth to the Chartist Insurrection and which would eventually create the modern labour movement.
Properly conserved and consolidated, the Roundhouse Complex has huge potential as a heritage centre telling the turbulent story of a key period in Welsh history. It would serve as an invaluable educational resource for local people and an attraction for visitors from further afield.
+ Further
More photos and information on the Nantyglo Round Towers here
'View of Nantyglo Ironworks', probably by Henry Gastineau, c. 1829
Watercolour
Source here: National Museum of Wales:
This dramatic watercolour shows a typical south Wales ironworks at dusk or night. Banks of blast furnaces can be seen on both sides of the Ebbw Fach river with early terraces of workers' housing close by. It was painted when south Wales was just beginning to dominate the international rail trade, and was published as an engraving in Gastineau's 'South Wales Illustrated' in 1830.
The ironworks at Nantyglo, which was famous for its bar iron production, features in Alexander Cordell's famous novel 'The Rape of the Fair Country', set shortly before and after the date of this watercolour.
Nantyglo Roundhouses
Nantyglo Roundhouses
Source here:
blaenau-gwent.gov.uk
The Nantyglo Roundhouse complex is a unique relic of the Industrial Revolution. It was built in about 1816 by Joseph and Crawshay Bailey, the Ironmasters of the Nantyglo Ironworks, as a defended refuge against armed revolt by their workforce.
In effect, it was the last private castle built in Britain.
No other site in Wales gives so stark a reminder of the bitter conflict between Ironmasters and workforce. The towers symbolise the social upheaval which gave birth to the Chartist Insurrection and which would eventually create the modern labour movement.
Properly conserved and consolidated, the Roundhouse Complex has huge potential as a heritage centre telling the turbulent story of a key period in Welsh history. It would serve as an invaluable educational resource for local people and an attraction for visitors from further afield.
+ Further
More photos and information on the Nantyglo Round Towers here
posted by J. at 11:09 PM
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