Kidwelly Castle, Kidwelly, Glamorgan Owned by: Cadw The early Norman earth and timber fortification was gradually rebuilt in stone from onwards, adopting the latest half-moon shaped castle design. Further defences were added and improved over the following years by the earls of Lancaster. Relieved after just three weeks, the castle and town were rebuilt on the instructions of the English King Henry V. Perhaps familiar to some, Kidwelly appears as a location for the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Laugharne Castle, Kidwelly, Laugharne, Dyfed Owned by: Cadw Standing high on a clifftop setting overlooking the River Taf, the first small Norman earthwork fortification was rebuilt in stone during the late 12th century. The castle was captured by Llywelyn the Great in his campaign across southern Wales in And again in , it suffered in another Welsh uprising when the powerful Norman noble Guy De Brian was captured at Laugharne by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and the castle destroyed.
The de Brian family refortified Laugharne, adding the strong stone walls and towers we see today to counter the threat of the Owain Glyndwr rising in Following a weeklong siege during the 17th century English Civil War the castle was badly damaged, it was later slighted to prevent any further use and left as a romantic ruin.
Llanblethian Castle, Cowbridge, Glamorgan Owned by: Cadw Also known as St Quintins Castle, named after Herbert de St Quentin, who is thought to have built the first timber and earth fortification on the site around In , the castle and lands were acquired by the de Clare family, who started to build the stone structure which stands today.
Gilbert de Clare met his end at the Battle of Bannockburn in and it is thought likely that the castle was never fully completed. Llandovery Castle, Llandovery, Dyfed Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument The first Norman earth and timber motte and bailey fortification was started around and was almost immediately attacked and partially destroyed by Welsh forces under Gruffydd ap Rhys. The castle changed hands several times over the next century or so, finally falling to the English King Edward I in who refortified the defences.
Llanilid Castle, Llanilid, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument This well-preserved raised ringwork, or low circular mound, once protected a timber Norman fortification. Probably built by the St Quintin family, lords of the manor until , the wooden palisades of the castle sat atop the summit of the mound protected by a surrounding ditch. There is no evidence to suggest that stone walls ever replaced the wooden structure.
Llansteffan Castle, Llansteffan, Dyfed Owned by: Cadw Sited on a headland overlooking the mouth of the Tywi, the castle controlled an important river crossing. The first Norman earth and timber enclosure, or ringwork, was set within the ancient defences of an Iron Age fort.
Llantrisant Castle, Llantrisant, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Controlling a strategically important route into the valleys below, the original Norman fortification was rebuilt in stone around by Richard de Clare, lord of Glamorgan. The remains of the castle tower now stand in parkland in the centre of town.
This first earth and timber ringwork defence was totally rebuilt between and by Bishop Adam de Houghton. The palace had fallen from favour during the 15th century, and was in state of disrepair by the late 16th century. Loughor Castle, Loughor, Glamorgan Owned by: Cadw Controlling a strategic crossing of the Gower Peninsula, the original Norman ringwork defences topped by a wooden palisade, were set within the former Roman fort of Leucarum.
In the two centuries that followed, the castle was attacked in the Welsh uprising of , and later captured by the forces of Llywelyn the Great in The Norman noble John de Braose acquired the castle in and set about repairing and strengthening its stone defences. Captured by Owain Gwynedd in , the castle changed hands several times in the troubled century that followed along the England and Wales border.
Monmouth Castle, Monmouth, Gwent Owned by: Cadw Built in the late 11th century by William fitz Osbern, the castle was strengthened and added to in the centuries that followed. During the English Civil War, Monmouth changed hands three times, finally falling to the Parliamentarians in The castle was subsequently slighted to prevent its reuse and a residence known as Great Castle House was built on the site in , which is now home to the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers museum.
In the castle was surrendered to Parliamentary forces in the English Civil War, it was later slighted to prevent it being used again for military purposes.
This land grab disagreement apparently turned violent and in King Edward I was forced to intervene in person, marching his forces into the area to settle the dispute between the warring earls. After the final Welsh War in the late 13th century and due to its remote location, the castle was abandoned and left to ruin. Narbeth Castle, South Wales Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument The first Norman fortress on the site dates from , although the current stone structure was erected by Andrew Perrot in the 13th century.
Neath Castle, Neath, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built to guard a crossing of the River Nedd, the Normans erected their first earth and timber ringwork fortification alongside a former Roman site in Subject to almost continuous raids by the Welsh, the castle was rebuilt in stone sometime in the early 13th century, possibly after being destroyed by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth in In the early 14th century the castle was again sacked, this time by the enemies of the then owner, the extremely unpopular lord of Glamorgan, Hugh le Despenser, favourite of Edward II.
It was the rebuilding work following this latest altercation that produced the grand gatehouse that we see today. Built by Robert fitz Martin, lord of Cemmaes, the castle was captured and Robert expelled during the Welsh rebellion of Lord Rhys appears to have had a rethink, when in he stormed the castle and turned it over to his son, Maelgwyn. After the final Welsh War in the late 13th century, the castle was abandoned and left to ruin. These early timber defences were strengthened and rebuilt in stone around , in response to a Welsh uprising led by the Lord of Afon, Morgan ap Caradog.
Owned by the Turberville family for many years, who had little use for it as their main seat was at nearby Coity Castle, it seems to have fallen out of use after this.
Between and , the castle changed hands three times during the Welsh revolt by Rhys ap Maredudd against English rule. After Rhys had been defeated and killed, Newcastle became crown property and its defences were extended and improved, including the addition of the impressive gatehouse. A planned new town, or borough, was also established outside the castle walls. After surrendering to Parliamentarian forces during the English Civil War, the castle was blown up to make it indefensible, it quickly fell into disuse after this.
Fitz Martin had been ejected from the family home of Nevern Castle by his father-in-law, the Lord Rhys, and founded Newport to serve as the administrative centre for the district of Cemais. Captured and destroyed on at least two separate occasions by the Welsh, first by Llywelyn the Great, and later by Llywelyn the Last, the remains of the present castle date mostly from after this destruction.
The castle was partially restored and turned into a residence in , now under private ownership; viewing is from the surrounding area only. Newport Castle, Newport, Gwent Owned by: Cadw The present castle dates from the early 14th century, although the buildings belong to the later 14th and 15th centuries. The new castle was built by de Clare's brother in law, Hugh d'Audele, when Newport was made the administration centre for Wentloog.
Built on the banks of the River Usk, the design allowed small boats to enter the castle through the gatehouse at high tide. In ruins by the 17th century, the castle motte and the rest of the bailey have been built over.
Currently closed for health and safety reasons. Ogmore Castle, Bridgend, Glamorgan Owned by: Cadw Built by William de Londres to guard a strategic crossing of the River Ewenny, the initial Norman earth and timber ringwork castle was quickly rebuilt in stone sometime after Adding to and refortifying over the intervening years, the Londres family held Ogmore until , when through marriage it became part of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Old Beaupre Castle Owned by: Cadw Perhaps more of a medieval fortified manor house than a castle, parts of Beaupre date from around Extensively remodelled during the Tudor period, first by Sir Rice Mansel, and later by members of the Basset family.
The Basset family crest can still be seen on panels within the porch. Beaupre fell out of use early in the 18th century, when the then owners, the Jones family moved to New Beaupre. Oystermouth Castle, The Mumbles, Glamorgan Owned by: Cityof Swansea council Founded by the Norman noble William de Londres around , the first castle on the site was a simple earth and timber ringwork fortification.
William had built several similar castles around the Gower in an attempt to secure control of the region for Henry Beaumont, Earl of Warwick. Unsubdued, the castle was sacked by the Welsh in and William was forced to flee. Rebuilt again in stone soon afterwards, the castle changed hands several times between and , and by the Lords of Gower were living elsewhere.
The castle gradually declined in importance and after the Middle Ages fell into ruin. Pembroke Castle, Pembroke, Dyfed Owned by: Philipps family Set on a rocky promontory guarding the Cleddau Estuary, the first Norman castle on the site was an earth and timber motte and bailey type fortification.
Built by Roger of Montgomery during the Norman invasion of Wales in , the castle withstood several Welsh attacks and sieges in the decades that followed. In , Pembroke was acquired by the most famous knight of the times, William Marshal.
The Earl Marshal immediately set about rebuilding the earth and timber fort into the grand medieval stone fortress that we see today. Penmark Castle, Penmark, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument High above a deep ravine of the River Waycock, Gilbert de Umfraville constructed the first earth and timber motte and bailey fortification on the site in the 12th century.
Later rebuilt in stone, the castle passed to Oliver de St John when he married the young heiress Elizabeth Umfraville, in the early 14th century. Pennard Castle, Parkmill, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Originally built as a Norman ringwork type fortification with timber palisades on top of an earth mound, the castle was founded by Henry de Beaumont, earl of Warwick, after he was granted the Lordship of Gower in Subsequently rebuilt in local stone during the late 13thcentury, including a curtain wall surrounding a central courtyard with square tower.
Commanding views over Three Cliffs Bay, the blowing sands from below led to the abandonment of the castle around Penrice Castle, Penrice, Glamorgan Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built by the de Penrice family who were gifted the land on which the castle stands for their part in the in the 13th century Norman Conquest of Gower. When the last de Penrice heiress married in , the castle and its lands passed to the Mansel family. Located on private land, can be viewed from adjacent footpath.
Powis Castle, Welshpool, Powys Owned by: National Trust Originally the fortress of a dynasty of Welsh princes, it is thought that the first wooden structure was rebuilt in stone by Llewelyn ap Gruffudd, sometime after he had besieged and destroyed the castle in Remodelled and embellished over the centuries, the medieval fortress was gradually transformed into the grand country mansion it is today.
Prestatyn Castle, Prestatyn, , Clwyd Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built around by Robert de Banastre, this early Norman earth and timber motte and bailey type fortification was strengthened at some point with the addition of a stone wall surrounding the bailey. Destroyed by Owain Gwynedd in , the castle does not appear to have been rebuilt. Successive generations of the Herbert and Somerset families competed to create a luxurious fortified castle, complete with grand keep and towers, all surrounded by landscaped parkland, gardens and terraces.
To ensure that the castle could always be reached in times of trouble, Edward had the River Clwyd diverted and dredged for over 2 miles to provide a deep-water channel for shipping. Just two years later, following the defeat of Llewellyn the Last, the Statute of Rhuddlan was signed at the castle which formalised English rule over Wales. During the English Civil War, Rhuddlan was captured by Parliamentary forces following a siege in ; parts of the castle were blown up to prevent its reuse.
Built to provide border defences against Welsh attack, the early castle was replaced by a more substantial stone fortress in the early 13th century. Over the centuries successive generations of the Stradling family gradually transformed the building from a military fortress into a comfortable country house.
Visitor access is usually limited to summer weekends. Almost as soon as it was built, the castle was attacked by the Welsh. After several unsuccessful attempts the castle finally fell to Welsh forces in The castle ceased to have a major military role after Edward I's pacification of Wales and the castle buildings were sold off, pulled down or put to alternative use.
Free and open access for external viewing during restricted dates and times. Tenby Castle, Tenby, Pembrokeshire Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built by the Normans during their invasion of West Wales in the 12th century, the castle included a stone tower surrounded by a curtain wall. Captured and destroyed by Maredudd ap Gruffydd and Rhys ap Gruffydd in , the castle was besieged again by the Welsh in Along with many other castles in the area, Tenby ceased to have a major military role following King Edward I's pacification of Wales and is thought to have been largely abandoned as a defensive fortification.
In during the English Civil War, Royalists forces held Tenby Castle for 10 weeks until they were starved into surrendering by the besieging Parliamentarians. Tomen y Bala, Bala, Gwynedd Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built shortly after the Norman Conquest of England, the summit of the earthen motte, or mound, would originally have been topped by a timber palisade.
Possibly an administrative centre for the region, it was sacked in , when Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, Prince Llywelyn the Great, drove out Elis ap Madog, Lord of Penllyn. The castle must have still have been in use in , when Bala was founded as an English borough, or planned settlement, beside it. Climb the motte to view the typical grid plan of the medieval streets which still dictates the layout of the current town centre.
Tomen-y-Mur, Trawsfynydd, Gywnedd Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Built within the walls of a 1st century Roman fort, the Normans reoccupied and refortified the site by erecting a substantial earthen motte, or mound. It is possible that the motte topped by its timber palisade was constructed by William Rufus in , to counter the Welsh insurgency. The name Tomen y Mur simply translates to Mound in the walls. Tomen-y-Rhodwydd, Ruthin, Clwyd Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument Erected around by the Welsh Prince Owain Gwynedd, this earth and timber motte and bailey type fortification was built to protect the borders of his princedom.
The wooden castle stood until , when it was burnt down by Iorwerth Goch ap Maredudd of Powys. The castle was refortified again in , and used by the English King John when he invaded Gwynedd in his campaign against Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, Llywelyn the Great. Travel Resources Tourist Info Centres. Britain Express Canvas Prints. Caernarfon Castle, Wales Prints. Featured Historic Hotel.
Saundersfoot Self catering. The Old Brewery This delightful, second storey self catering apartment in Saundersfoot, South Wales can sleep two people in one bedroom. Llanboidy Self catering. Puffin Cottage This lovely property is set in a picturesque courtyard of holiday cottages in Llanboidy, just six miles from St Clears and can sleep six people in three bedrooms.
The present outer ward was completed in stone at much the same time. Below: general view of the inner ward. Here the ground floor rooms have been converted to a shop and tea room. T he historical sources refer to the area as Pool or Pole, from which comes the modern Welshpool.
Their rivalry with the house of Gwynedd, coupled with a practical appreciation of their situation, tended to drive them towards the English, although expediency could persuade them the other way.
Llywelyn ap Iorwerth of Gwynedd conquered Powys in , forcing Gwenwynwyn into English exile, where he died, but his son Gruffydd returned on Llywelyn's death in Gruffydd fled when Llywelyn ap Gruffydd recaptured the area for Gwynedd in , but the success of Simon de Montfort, whom Llywelyn supported against Henry III, persuaded him to change his allegiance in His new loyalty was short-lived, however; he was discovered plotting against Llywelyn in His castle probably this one was reportedly razed to the ground, and Gruffydd again fled.
H e returned with Edward I's victorious army in the first Welsh campaign of , and subsequently held his regained lands from the English crown. He was succeeded in by his son Owain, better known as Baron de la Pole. The lordship passed via Owain's daughter Hawys to the Cherleton family, and in came into the hands of Sir Edward Herbert, in whose family it has remained. T he castle Sir Edward took over was probably in serious need of repair and modernisation, and he undertook extensive work between and , of which only the long gallery survives.
His wife Mary brought Catholicism into the family. It seems to have been garrisoned during the remainder of the war, necessitating extensive rebuilding and refurbishment after the Restoration in
0コメント