Started in the 1430 's, already some 150 years late for castle building, Raglan appears to have been built for show rather than defence. The English recaptured the castle in 1408, following a siege that involved the first known use of cannon in Britain. 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. Guarding the approach to the Menai Strait, Beaumaris, or fair marsh, was started in 1295 under the supervision of the king's favourite architect, Master James of St George. The first earth and timber motte and bailey castle was built by Madog ap Maredudd, prince of Powys around 1156. Restricted opening times and entrance charges apply. Currently closed for health and safety reasons "],newpoints[80]=[51.480608,-3.611543,icon4," Ogmore Castle "," Ogmore Castle, Bridgend, Glamorgan
Owned by: Cadw
Substamtial remains of 12th century castle. The castle endured a six-month siege during the English Civil War before finally falling to Parliamentarian forces; it was slighted to prevent further use. A classic example of a concentric medieval castle, Harlech skilfully used local topography, the sea, and imposing … On private property, the castle can be viewed fron the nearby A44 road. In 1267 King Henry III granted the castle to his second son, Edmund Crouchback who set about converting the fortress into a royal residence. "],newpoints[6]=[52.149449,-3.398382,icon4," Builth Castle "," Builth Castle, Builth, Powys
Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument
Earthworks and remains of 13th century castle. Showing evidence of three phases of defensive structures, the first Iron Age hillfort dating from the around 300BC was extended and reinforced in 100BC. Captured by the Normans in the late 12th century, the castle was retaken by the Welsh and remained in use into the 14th century. Restricted opening times and entrance charges apply. Hundreds of castles were built from 1066 and throughout the 12 th century. This land grab disagreement apparently turned violent and in 1290 King Edward I was forced to intervene in person, marching his forces into the area to settle the dispute between the warring earls. Started in 1282, Denbigh was attacked and captured during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn. Sacked in 1294 when Madog ap Llywelyn led a rebellion against the English, the castle was recaptured the following year. Largely completed by 1290 CE, the castle received some further additions up to 1330 CE. "],newpoints[16]=[51.482713,-3.181917,icon4," Cardiff Castle "," Cardiff Castle, Cardiff, Glamorgan
Owned by: City of Cardiff
Renovated medieval fortress and Victorian Gothic revival mansion. Located on private land, occasionally open to the public on summertime Sundays. Over the centuries successive generations of the Stradling family gradually transformed the building from a military fortress into a comfortable country house. Left to decay for centuries, the castle was refortified for the king during the English Civil War, but was eventually taken by Parliament in 1648 and slighted in the 1650 's to make sure that it could never be used again. 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 1130. "];for(var e,t=0;t Castell Dinas Bran, Llangollen, Clwyd
Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument
Remains of 13th century castle. Some years later Gerald caught up with Owain and killed him in an ambush. "],newpoints[57]=[51.802667,-4.96978,icon4," Haverfordwest Castle "," Haverfordwest Castle, Pembrokeshire, Dyfed
Owned by: Pembrokeshire National Park Authority
Remains of medieval castle. Crug Eryr, or Eagle 's Crag, was a relatively crude earth and timber motte and bailey type fortification. Built shortly after the Norman Conquest of England, the first earth and timber motte and bailey fortification was rebuilt in stone during the 12th century. Only a few years later the castle withstood a long siege by the Welsh, although its defenders were near starvation. In 1784 Lord Powis’ daughter married Edward Clive, who later inherited both the family title and the considerable wealth of his own father: Major-General Robert Clive, also known as Clive of India. Restricted opening times and entrance charges apply. "],newpoints[19]=[51.855996,-4.305697,icon4," Carmarthen Castle "," Carmarthen Castle, Carmarthen, Dyfed
Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument
Remains of 13th century castle. "],newpoints[89]=[53.338558,-3.394717,icon4," Prestatyn Castle "," Prestatyn Castle, Prestatyn, , Clwyd
Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument
Scant earthwork remains of early Norman motte and bailey castle. Built around 1150 possibly by Cadwaladr, son of Gruffydd ap Cynan. When the family moved out in the 1630 's the mansion fell into disrepair. In the early 14th century, new residential buildings were built some distance away from the original fortifications, forming Tretower Court. 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. The castle gradually declined in importance and after the Middle Ages fell into ruin. 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. The concentric rings of walls design was adopted by Edward I in his castles in North Wales. Dinerth changed hands at least six times and was destroyed and rebuilt on two occasions before finally meeting its end in 1102. Restricted opening times and entrance charges apply. Rebuilt in stone soon afterwards, the castle changed hands several times between 1137 and 1287, and by 1331 the Lords of Gower were living elsewhere. "],newpoints[4]=[51.948765,-3.393666,icon4," Brecon Castle "," Brecon Castle, Brecon, Powys
Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument
Remains of 13th century stone keep. History of Welsh Castles: Born of Bitter Battles With the English In 1066, the arrival of William the Conqueror in England changed British history forever. In 1245 the castle and lands were acquired by the de Clare family, who started to build the stone structure which stands today. One of the more influential families in Glamorgan, Sir Edward Mansel added considerably to his father 's work by creating an even grander range containing an impressive hall and elegant long gallery. Dolbadarn was captured by the English King Edward I in 1284 who recycled much of its materials to build his new castle at Caernarfon. Unlike its neighbours, White Castle was not built with residential accommodation in mind, suggesting that it served only as defensive fortress. The Bute family owned the Castle until 1947, when this was given to the City of Cardiff. The lords of Tretower apparently favoured the more luxurious surroundings of the court and the castle gradually fell into ruin. It was built on the site of a former Welsh stronghold held by Dafydd ap Gruffydd, the brother of Llywelyn the Last. 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 1274. Free and open access at any reasonable time. Other alleged ghouls-in-residence are rooted in the castle’s more ancient and specifically its Welsh history. When the last de Penrice heiress married in 1410, the castle and its lands passed to the Mansel family. The first Norman earth and timber motte and bailey fortification was started around 1116 and was almost immediately attacked and partially destroyed by Welsh forces under Gruffydd ap Rhys. "],newpoints[74]=[51.665076,-3.803469,icon4," Neath Castle "," Neath Castle, Neath, Glamorgan
Owned by: Scheduled Ancient Monument
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