Caergwrle Castle
Quick Info
Region: Lands Taken from Powys
Built: 1278 - 82 by Dafydd ap Gruffydd
In the Care of: CADW
Parking: Public available in village
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Admission: Free
Postcode: LL12 9DG
Opening Times
9am - 4pm
Image courtesy of Gareth Hill
History
The last castle to be built by a Welsh prince, Caergwrle Castle was built in 1278 - 82 by Dafydd ap Gruffydd, brother of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd. The land that the castle was built on was taken from Powys and given to Dafydd by Edward I as a reward for him turning against his brother Llewelyn in the war of 1276-77. The castle had been constructed to safeguard this newly acquired land.
Despite Dafydd likely being in good favour with Edward I, (as he was given funding, masons and allowed to build very close to the border), Dafydd attacked Hawarden and sparked the the final war of 1282-83. The Welsh retreated back to the mountains and the castle was taken over by the English.
Although likely never finished, there are account records of Edward I making improvements upon his acquisition of the castle, and he granted it to Queen Eleanor. The castle was left mostly ruinous by 1335 as repairs hadn’t been made following a fire.
What Can You See?
I haven’t seen this castle yet, but here is what historian Paul R Davis has to say from his book Castles of the Welsh Princes;
“‘‘Today a path winds up from the village and passes through the woods before emerging onto the hilltop. Around the edge of the plateau may be glimpsed the worn-down outer rampart of the Iron Age fort, [(on top of which it was built)] with the more prominent earthworks and ditches sheltering the medieval castle on the highest and most secure part of the hill. Beyond the ditch stand the few surviving fragments of the masonry defences, which still rise almost to battlement level in places.’”
Accessibility
This castle stands at the top of a hill through a winding wood, so it is not the most easily accessible of castles.
Sources
https://cadw.gov.wales/visit/places-to-visit/caergwrle-castle
South aspect of Caergwrle Castle, c.1795.jpg
Davis, Paul. (2007). Castles of the Welsh Princes. Talybont: Y Lolfa.
