Postcards often capture a fleeting moment in a landmark's history. This sepia-toned card from my collection, showing the Banquetting Hall at Beaumaris Castle, Anglesey, Wales, illustrates a time when nature had almost completely reclaimed the medieval fortress. More than the image, the handwritten message on the back offers a beautiful, heart-aching glimpse into an early 20th-century family separation.
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| Banqueting Hall, Beaumaris Castle |
The Front: Beaumaris Reclaimed
The image shows a section of the castle, specifically the Banquetting Hall, in a heavily overgrown state.
A Romantic Ruin: Dating from the Edwardian period (c. 1900–1910s), this photo reflects a popular aesthetic of the time: the "Romantic Ruin." The stone walls are almost completely covered by thick ivy and other foliage, giving the castle a wild, ancient, and picturesque appearance.
Beaumaris Castle: Begun by Edward I in 1295, Beaumaris is famous for its nearly perfect concentric design. This image, however, shows the structure not as a military masterpiece, but as a monument subsumed by the Welsh landscape, waiting to be rediscovered and restored.
The Message: A Plea for a Speedy Return
The message, addressed to Mrs. J. Curtis in Barry, Glamorgan, is postmarked from Harborne, near Birmingham, and carries a red One Penny stamp, likely dating the card to around 1911–1918.
The writing, while difficult to decipher in parts, conveys a profound sense of missing someone:
"Harborne forgot my bag was gone... I wish I was with both of you. But I must finish what I began so talk over those things. Don't you think of moving the little ones home. No sleep much. I expect to come home soon. Being afraid to lose you... hope to find myself fit to get to Harborne as then we shall be able to look after the nine small... all are well, as I hope you. Kindest hugs and kisses..."
The Context: Separation and Anxiety
"The little ones" and "nine small": This suggests the writer, possibly a husband or parent, is separated from his wife/family. The mention of "nine small" might refer to nine small items, nine days, or perhaps even a large number of children or family members, depending on the full context.
"No sleep much" and "afraid to lose you": This conveys intense anxiety and loneliness, possibly due to health issues, financial stress, or even military service (though the Harborne postmark makes a holiday unlikely).
"Finish what I began": The writer is clearly working or carrying out an important task that prevents him from being home, but the need to see his family is paramount.
This postcard is a deeply personal and touching artifact—a historical image of an overgrown castle serving as the backdrop for a message of enduring family love and the profound difficulty of being apart.
