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| Visitors to Wales are acquainted with the Norman and Edwardian castles that dominate the landscape, Although many lesser known Welsh built castles, also marked the land during the Middle ages, used by princely brothers vying for control of their inheritance. Welsh castles were usualy lightly fortified, enclosed by a stone curtain wall, and during the Iron age, hillforts dotted the Welsh landscape. Hundreds of these castles were built thoughout Wales, Many historically significant Welsh castles disappeared centuries ago, leaving little or no trace. Timber castles have long since gone due to the materials used, stone did not always guarantee survival either, destruction, time and neglect have all help to reduce many stone-built castles to rubble, and its the lesser known castles or hillforts I will concentrate on, although I couldnt start without at least mentioning one or two of the "main castles" |
| Caernarvon Caernarvon is one of the most impressive of all of the castles in Wales, although probably only intended as a seat of power, a status symbol. Built during Edward I`s invasion of Wales, it has two building periods, The first is that of 1283-92 and the second is dated to 1294-1330. Materials for the castle were brought in from Liverpool, Rhuddlan and Conwy by sea. The first recoded work started on the ditch on june 24th, afterwards a wooden barricade. The only tower finished during the first stage was the Eagle Tower, and in 1294 Madog ap Llywelyn over ran the castle through the unfinished north section, which was defended by a rock ditch. The English retook the castle the next summer, the walls and castle were repaired and the north wall finally built. In 1330, the castle stood as it does today, and cost £25,000. |
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| Beaumaris Beaumaris was begun in 1295, and was the last and largest of Edward I,s castles, It comprises an unusualy high level of strength and firepower, but was never fully completed. It consists of a high ring of defenses surrounded by a lower curcuit of walls, but saw little action apart from the Civil war in the 17th century. The decision was taken to build a castle at Beaumaris after the Welsh revolt in 1294-95 by Madog ap Llywelyn. The native population was moved to a new settlement (Newborough) and the castle was built on the "fair marsh" and was given the Norman-French name Beau Mareys. The first line of defense was a water filled moat, 18ft wide which had a dock at the southern end were ships of 40 tons could sail right up to the main gate. By 1298 the funds for building Beaumaris had dried up, the King having other money spending interests in Scotland. Click picture for movie |
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| Conwy Conwy, along with Harlech is probably the most impressive of all the castles in Wales. Construction began in 1283, and was an important part of Edwards plan of surrounding Wales in an "iron ring of castles". The highly defensible wall built around the town was meant to protect the English colony planted at Conwy. the Welsh population obviously opposed to occupation of their homeland. Conwy is said to have been captured by a trick in 1401. On good friday, with most of the garrison at church, a carpenter gained access and admitted a group of rebels who owed their allegiance to Owain Glyndwr. Most were pardoned when the castle was finally returned to the King, others were jailed. |
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| The above castles, along with Harlech are the "main" castles in north Wales. But for the visitor with an interest in the lesser known castles in Wales there are many many more. Caergwrle castle, Carreg Cennen castle, Castell y Bere, Criccieth castle, Deganwy Castle, Castell Dinas Bran, Dinefwr castle, Dolbadarn castle, Dolforwyn castle, Dolwyddelan castle, Dryslwyn castle, Ewloe castle, Nevern castle, Newcastle Emlyn, to name just a few. The following is a brief rundown of some of those castles. |
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| Dolbadarn Llanberis Pass is an area known for its natural beauty and slate mining, visitors speed through the village with hardly a glance, Hardly noticing one of its hidden treasures, Dolbadarn castle. The Castle stands on a hilltop above Llyn Padarn, on the east side of the A4086. The castle dates to the 13th century, built by the Welsh prince, Llywelyn ap Iorwerth(Llywelyn the Great), sometime before 1230. Although a shell of its former self, the spot was used as early as the 6th century, but surviving evidence dates no earlier than the 1200,s. Owain ap Gruffydd spent 20 years as a prisoner on its upper floors and Owain Glyndwr may have used it to hold other prisoners such as Ruthin castle`s Lord Grey. |
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| Castell y Bere At the foot of Cader Idris, rising from the floor of the Dysynni valley lie the ruins of Castell y Bere, The castle belongs to the 13th century, although there is evidence of usage from a much earlier period. In 1221 Llywelyn ap Iorwerth took control of Meirionnydd from his son, Gruffydd, and began to build a castle for himself, Bere is without doubt that castle. In 1282-83 it was besieged by an English army under the leadership of Sir Otto de Grandison, and fell on 25 april 1283. The castle was recaptured by the Welsh during Madog ap Llywelyn`s revolt in 1294, but is not mentioned again, so it appears it was then abandoned. |
| Castell Dinas Bran Castell Dinas Bran stands on the site of an ancient Iron-Age hillfort, believed to have been the home of the Kings of Powys, well into the 8th century. Its major claim is to be Castle Corbenic, the Grail Castle. The castle is named for King Bran Fendigaid(the blessed), a Celtic God known from both Welsh and Irish mythology. |
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| It was built towards the later part of the 13th century by the princes of Powys and was the meeting place between the sons of Gryffydd Maelor in 1270. During the wars between Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, and Edward I the castle was burnt by the Welsh before it was captured in 1277 by Henry de Lacy, earl of Lincoln. It was never repaired and ceased to be used after the 1280s. |
| Misc |
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| Men of Harlech, the tune made famous in the film "Zulu". |
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