Aberystwyth Castle
Encyclopedia
Aberystwyth Castle is an Edwardian
fortress
located in Aberystwyth
, Ceredigion
, Mid Wales
that was built during the First Welsh War in the late 13th century. It was begun during Edward I's first Welsh campaign at the same time as work started at Flint
, Rhuddlan
and Builth Wells.
, with a twin D-shaped gatehouse keep
with mural tower
s at each corner. The outer ward consisted of twin D-shaped gatehouse, a barbican
, a rock-cut ditch and a large curtain wall
with towers.
built a Motte and bailey castle a mile south of the current site in c.1110. It was called Castell Tan-y-castell, Aberrheidol Castle and Old Aberystwyth. The earth and timber castle was later reinforced with stone. The castle was captured by Owain Gwynedd
in 1136 before changing hands at least three more times before being captured by Llywelyn the Great
in 1221. The Welsh prince razed this castle and rebuilt another one in its place.
Aberystwyth Castle was not complete when the Welsh briefly captured and burned it in 1282. Later work was overseen by Master Mason James of St George. Construction ceased in 1289. The castle was subjected to a lengthy siege during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn
in 1294-5.
By 1307 a borough was thriving outside the castle walls in a town that was called in Welsh
, Llanbadarn Gaerog (Fortified Llanbadarn). However historical accounts suggest that the castle had already begun to fall in to disrepair by 1343.
During the national uprising led by Owain Glyndŵr
, the Welsh took possession of the castle in 1404. But the English soon recaptured the castle by 1408. In 1637 Aberystwyth Castle was designated as a Royal mint
by Charles I
which made silver shillings. The mint's operator raised a regiment of Royalist soldiers during the English Civil War
. Oliver Cromwell
slighted the castle in 1649.
Edward I of England
Edward I , also known as Edward Longshanks and the Hammer of the Scots, was King of England from 1272 to 1307. The first son of Henry III, Edward was involved early in the political intrigues of his father's reign, which included an outright rebellion by the English barons...
fortress
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
located in Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth
Aberystwyth is a historic market town, administrative centre and holiday resort within Ceredigion, Wales. Often colloquially known as Aber, it is located at the confluence of the rivers Ystwyth and Rheidol....
, Ceredigion
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
, Mid Wales
Mid Wales
Mid Wales is the name given to the central region of Wales. The Mid Wales Regional Committee of the National Assembly for Wales covered the counties of Ceredigion and Powys and the area of Gwynedd that had previously been the district of Meirionydd. A similar definition is used by the BBC...
that was built during the First Welsh War in the late 13th century. It was begun during Edward I's first Welsh campaign at the same time as work started at Flint
Flint Castle
Flint Castle located in Flint, Flintshire, was the first of a series of castles built during King Edward I's campaign to conquer Wales.The site was chosen for its strategic position in North East Wales...
, Rhuddlan
Rhuddlan Castle
Rhuddlan Castle is a castle located in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales. It was erected by Edward I in 1277 following the First Welsh War.-Construction:Rhuddlan was planned as a concentric castle...
and Builth Wells.
Construction
Building work started in 1277. The inner ward was built in a diamond-shaped concentric castleConcentric castle
A concentric castle is a castle with two or more concentric curtain walls, such that the outer wall is lower than the inner and can be defended from it. The word concentric does not imply that these castles were circular; in fact if taken too literally the term "concentric" is quite misleading...
, with a twin D-shaped gatehouse keep
Keep
A keep is a type of fortified tower built within castles during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars have debated the scope of the word keep, but usually consider it to refer to large towers in castles that were fortified residences, used as a refuge of last resort should the rest of the...
with mural tower
Curtain wall (fortification)
A curtain wall is a defensive wall between two bastions of a castle or fortress.In earlier designs of castle the curtain walls were often built to a considerable height and were fronted by a ditch or moat to make assault difficult....
s at each corner. The outer ward consisted of twin D-shaped gatehouse, a barbican
Barbican
A barbican, from medieval Latin barbecana, signifying the "outer fortification of a city or castle," with cognates in the Romance languages A barbican, from medieval Latin barbecana, signifying the "outer fortification of a city or castle," with cognates in the Romance languages A barbican, from...
, a rock-cut ditch and a large curtain wall
Curtain wall (fortification)
A curtain wall is a defensive wall between two bastions of a castle or fortress.In earlier designs of castle the curtain walls were often built to a considerable height and were fronted by a ditch or moat to make assault difficult....
with towers.
History
Marcher lord Gilbert de ClareGilbert de Clare
Gilbert de Clare may refer to:* Gilbert Fitz Richard known also as Gilbert de Clare , lord of Clare, Tonbridge and Ceredigion* Gilbert de Clare, 1st Earl of Pembroke...
built a Motte and bailey castle a mile south of the current site in c.1110. It was called Castell Tan-y-castell, Aberrheidol Castle and Old Aberystwyth. The earth and timber castle was later reinforced with stone. The castle was captured by Owain Gwynedd
Owain Gwynedd
Owain Gwynedd ap Gruffydd , in English also known as Owen the Great, was King of Gwynedd from 1137 until his death in 1170. He is occasionally referred to as "Owain I of Gwynedd"; and as "Owain I of Wales" on account of his claim to be King of Wales. He is considered to be the most successful of...
in 1136 before changing hands at least three more times before being captured by Llywelyn the Great
Llywelyn the Great
Llywelyn the Great , full name Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, was a Prince of Gwynedd in north Wales and eventually de facto ruler over most of Wales...
in 1221. The Welsh prince razed this castle and rebuilt another one in its place.
Aberystwyth Castle was not complete when the Welsh briefly captured and burned it in 1282. Later work was overseen by Master Mason James of St George. Construction ceased in 1289. The castle was subjected to a lengthy siege during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn
Madog ap Llywelyn
Madog ap Llywelyn, or Prince Madoc, was from a junior branch of the House of Aberffraw and a distant relation of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, the last recognised native Prince of Wales.-Lineage:...
in 1294-5.
By 1307 a borough was thriving outside the castle walls in a town that was called in Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
, Llanbadarn Gaerog (Fortified Llanbadarn). However historical accounts suggest that the castle had already begun to fall in to disrepair by 1343.
During the national uprising led by Owain Glyndŵr
Owain Glyndwr
Owain Glyndŵr , or Owain Glyn Dŵr, anglicised by William Shakespeare as Owen Glendower , was a Welsh ruler and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales...
, the Welsh took possession of the castle in 1404. But the English soon recaptured the castle by 1408. In 1637 Aberystwyth Castle was designated as a Royal mint
Royal Mint
The Royal Mint is the body permitted to manufacture, or mint, coins in the United Kingdom. The Mint originated over 1,100 years ago, but since 2009 it operates as Royal Mint Ltd, a company which has an exclusive contract with HM Treasury to supply all coinage for the UK...
by Charles I
Charles I of England
Charles I was King of England, King of Scotland, and King of Ireland from 27 March 1625 until his execution in 1649. Charles engaged in a struggle for power with the Parliament of England, attempting to obtain royal revenue whilst Parliament sought to curb his Royal prerogative which Charles...
which made silver shillings. The mint's operator raised a regiment of Royalist soldiers during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
. Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell
Oliver Cromwell was an English military and political leader who overthrew the English monarchy and temporarily turned England into a republican Commonwealth, and served as Lord Protector of England, Scotland, and Ireland....
slighted the castle in 1649.