- Type
- Castle
- Origins
- 1268 · 13th century per Wikidata: founding, first mention or construction
- Location
- Wales, United Kingdom
- Commissioned by
- Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester
- Coordinates
- 51.5761°, -3.2203°
History
Gilbert de Clare, known as Red Gilbert, began the castle in 1268 to halt the advance of the Welsh prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd. Llywelyn burned the first works in 1270, but building resumed and a fortress with two rings of walls and a system of dams and lakes took shape. In 1316 the castle withstood a siege during the revolt of Llywelyn Bren. Hugh Despenser the Younger remodelled the great hall in the 1320s, and in 1326 King Edward II briefly sheltered here. From the 15th century the castle decayed, and in the 19th and 20th centuries the Marquesses of Bute carried out a sweeping restoration. It has been in state care since 1950.
What to see
With its banks and lakes the castle covers about 12 hectares. Gatehouses and bridges on the east front lead onto the island with the inner castle, where you can see the restored great hall, the mighty gatehouses and replicas of medieval siege engines. Most striking is the leaning south-east tower, which tilts further out of true than the Tower of Pisa.
Wikipedia article Official website Wikidata Q682601
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