DRAWINGS by a teenage illustrator in­spired by a colourful character from the Middle Ages have gone on display in the tower at Caldicot Castle which bears his names.

Artist Eris Barrett's interest in Thomas Woodstock was sparked by Footprints in the Sand of Time, a community sound and light show in 2004 which told the story of the castle.

Eris said: "Woodstock lived in the late 14th century and seemed to be perpetually at odds with his bothersome nephew King Richard II.

"He gained Caldicot Castle through the inheritance of his wife, Alianore.

"He is supposed to have been suffocated with a pillow on the orders of the king.

"It's a really fascinating period of history with loads of interesting characters such as Woodstock, the king and Wat Tyler (the leader of the Peasants' Revolt).

"I was inspired by the son-et-lumiere at the castle and I've been drawing Woodstock ever since."

Eris has just finished A-levels in art, textiles and ethics at Caldicot School and hopes to get a place to study illustration at the University of Gloucestershire in Cheltenham.

The exhibition was suggested by Mr Peter Strong, a history teacher at the school and secretary of the Caldicot Local History Society.

He said: "I saw Eris's work in an end-of-term exhibition at school and was struck by the quality of it and the fact it was inspired by Thomas Woodstock who I also have an interest in.

"I thought work of that quality should have a wider audience so I contacted John Sterry, the manager of the castle, and he agreed to host the exhibtion.

Among those at the opening of the exhibition were Caldicot art teachers Juliette Grabner and Heather Bristow.

Ms Bristow said: "Eris is a very talented illustrator and she has developed a very distinct style.

"If you see an Eris Barrett drawing you know immediately who it is by."

The exhibition, The Crowned Swan, is open daily from 11am until 5pm in the Woodstock tower until Friday, August 31.