TRAVEL THE WORLD - FRANCHIMONT CASTLE, BELGIUM

The castle was built in the 11th Century and belonged to the Prince Bishop of Liege until around 1500. During this period, the chief official of the castle was one of my ancestors. We spent an hour or so in 2008 looking around, trying to visualize the layout and functions of the castle.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - NUNNEY CASTLE, ENGLAND

In 1984, while visiting England with my mother, I saw my very first castle - Nunney Castle in Somerset. Do you see the moat? Can't you just imagine the castle being attacked by a siege engine, perhaps with a catapult to breach the walls, while inside knights in armour would be scurrying about in a panic attempting to defend themselves?

TRAVEL THE WORLD - ARUNDEL CASTLE, ENGLAND

What an impressive medieval castle this is! It is huge, and has had an important role in England's history. The great hall is a particularly memorable room. You can really imagine that knights in armour may appear at any moment! The photo was taken in 1997.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - JEHAY CASTLE, BELGIUM

My cousins took us to Jehay castle near Liege in 2008. The castle, which was was built in the 16th Century, has been owned by the family of Guy van den Steen since 1680. Extensive renovation work was done following World War II. The castle has a moat, as you can see in the photo. It is set in beautiful grounds and is furnished as it would have been at the time it was built.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - LIEGE, BELGIUM

My cousins took us to Jehay castle near Liege in 2008. This exquisite clock was only one of many lovely things to look at in the castle which was was built in the 16th Century. After World War II Count Guy van den Steen, whose family has owned the castle since 1680, undertook major restoration work. This included beautiful new furnishings from the period when the castle was originally constructed. There are also attractively landscaped grounds.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - ARIMONT, BELGIUM

This field near Malmedy is where my cousin took us in 1997 to show us the location of the family castle. He had come here as a young man with his father who wanted him to see where the castle had been located. It was here that one of the foundation stones had been found. On the road near this field there is a road sign which says "ARIMONT." The family had lived in this area until the late middle ages when they moved to Jalhay.

All of this was a revelation to me, as my father had not mentioned anything about a castle or a coat of arms, likely because he disapproved of the class structure that he felt typified life in Europe.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - WARWICK CASTLE, UK

Since I first visited Warwick Castle in the 1970's, it has been for me the perfect example of a medieval castle. The dungeon made an especially gruesome impression on that first visit. If you know a little of the history of the Wars of the Roses, a visit to Warwick Castle will definitely enhance your appreciation of the events of that period.