Castle Welute
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Castle Welute is a royal residence in the countryside of the Archduchy of Urceopolis, and it serves as the primary home and administrative center of the monarchy of the Apostolic Kingdom of Urcea. It also serves as the primary birthplace of children of House de Weluta, especially in the Royal line. Since the 14th century, it has served as the ancestral home of the House de Weluta, and prior to the 18th century it was an important fortification in the defensive network around Urceopolis. It has served as the semi-permanent residence of the Apostolic King since the reign of King Aedanicus VIII. The outer walls were removed during the 19th century as many had begun to collapse. The outer portions of the Castle are open to visitors, and contain shops and stalls for local agriculture.
| Castle Welute | |
|---|---|
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| Alternative names | Velucian Castle |
| General information | |
| Location | Archduchy of Urceopolis |
| Country | Urcea |
| Renovated | 1907-1909 |
| Owner | King Riordan VIII |
| Affiliation | House de Weluta |
| Known for | Residence of the Apostolic King of Urcea |
History
The granite outcropping on which Castle Welute is built was likely the site of human settlement since the stone age, and archaeological evidence has been found suggesting Gaelic ringforts on the site prior to the arrival of Adonerii settlers in Levantia. Easily fortified, the site was inconsistently settled until the 800s BC, when it apparently became the seat of a series of petty Gaelic kings. Gaels were driven from the area in the 700s BC and the hill was largely forgotten as the surrounding area became wooded, and it remained a forest for the Great Levantia period. Conflicting historical and archaeological evidence suggests that the Latin League fought a major battle against Gallawa either at or near the current Castle site in the 750s, and a legend maintains that Saint Julius I himself conducted the battle against Gallawa sitting atop the hill, a claim that would give a kind of increased prestige and moral authority to House de Weluta, although the claim is subject to a great deal of scholarly debate.