Llansteffan Castle
Encyclopedia
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...
overlooking the River Tywi
River Tywi
With a total length of the River Towy is the longest river flowing entirely within Wales, and is noted for its sea trout and salmon fishing.The river rises within of the Teifi on the lower slopes of Crug Gynan in the Cambrian Mountains and, flowing through the Towy Forest, forms the border...
as it enters Carmarthen Bay
Carmarthen Bay
Carmarthen Bay is an inlet of the south Wales coast. The coastline includes famous beaches, including the Pendine Sands and Cefn Sidan sands, and is partially covered by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park....
near the village of Llansteffan
Llansteffan
Llansteffan is a village in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Llansteffan is one of three settlements positioned on the Tywi river, other settlements include Ferryside and Carmarthen . Llansteffan Castle, built by the Normans in the 12th century, is located in the village...
in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
.
Prehistoric site
The castle sits on a much older NeolithicNeolithic
The Neolithic Age, Era, or Period, or New Stone Age, was a period in the development of human technology, beginning about 9500 BC in some parts of the Middle East, and later in other parts of the world. It is traditionally considered as the last part of the Stone Age...
promontory fort
Promontory fort
A promontory fort is a defensive structure located above a steep cliff, often only connected to the mainland by a small neck of land, thus utilizing the topography to reduce the ramparts needed. Although their dating is problematic, most seem to date to the Iron Age...
, proving Llansteffan has been inhabited, and perhaps of strategic importance, since the New Stone Age. The hill's summit can only be reached from one side, and the hill where the castle/fort stands commands the entrance to the River Towy (unlike today, the hill would have been stripped of trees to make foot soldiers vulnerable to attack by archers). The original earthworks can still be seen and were used as part of the modern castle's defence system--the castle proper rests within the earthwork rings.
Norman period
It was built by the NormansNormans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
after 1100 as part of their invasion of Wales.
The castle was captured by Rhys ap Gruffydd
Rhys ap Gruffydd
Rhys ap Gruffydd or ap Gruffudd was the ruler of the kingdom of Deheubarth in south Wales. He is commonly known as The Lord Rhys, in Welsh Yr Arglwydd Rhys, but this title may not have been used in his lifetime...
in 1146 against the forces of Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan
Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Maynooth, Naas, and Llanstephan) was a major figure in the Norman invasion of Ireland....
and his brother William FitzGerald, Lord of Emlyn who were the leading Norman
Normans
The Normans were the people who gave their name to Normandy, a region in northern France. They were descended from Norse Viking conquerors of the territory and the native population of Frankish and Gallo-Roman stock...
settlers of the region. The castle was later retaken by the Normans. 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...
recaptured the castle for the Welsh
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
in 1215.
The legend of Glug-a-lug although somewhat gruesome in part is a tale of ever lasting love. Glug-a-lug a Norman invader came over to Wales after being banished from England. Having travelled for many months he came across Llansteffan and knew instantly that was where he should build his home. Glug-a-lug with his wife Ros-a-lug by his side built a magnificent castle on the top of a cliff near the sea front. For two whole years they lived in the castle blissfully happy until one day the sky turned grey and it rained non stop for fourteen days. Glug-a-lug a superstitious man saw this as a terrible omen and he was to be proved right. On the fifteenth day of continuous rain the castle was invaded by English barbarians seeking a stronghold near the coast. The castle was well protected by Glug-a-lug's knights but his wife Ros-a-lug was taken hostage whilst trying to raise the alarm to the nearby village. The barbarians knew that Glug-a-lug would never surrender his castle so they kept his wife hostage for a long time.
A few years passed and Glug-a-lug was still overcome by grief he decided that he could no longer live without his wife so decided to end his life. There was an overwhelming sadness about the castle that no-one feared to go near it anymore. Tales were passed around from people being consumed by sadness upon entering the castle. Without Glug-a-lug the castle fell into disrepair and the Barbarians tried for a second time to invade the castle but the stories were proved to be true as no sooner did the invaders set foot on to the castle grounds than they collapsed in uprepenting sadness. An old wizard in the village sought a spell which could bring Glug-a-lug's spirit back to life and incredibly two days later the spell worked.
Glug-a-lug the ghost decided to seek out his wife. After many years of searching across the country Glug-a-lug finally found his one true love. Ros-a-lug was overjoyed to see her husband again if only as a spirit. The trouble was Ros-a-lug was trapped in a fortress with no means of escape the only way she could ever be with her husband would be to like her husband leave the world of the living forever.
Glug-a-lug and Ros-a-lug the spirits were now free for the first time in many years and were able to travel hand in hand back to their beloved castle. Once they returned the skies brightened and joy could be felt in the castle for the first time since Ros-a-lug had left. Glug-a-lug and Ros-a-lug still overlook the castle today and if you listen very carefully you will be able to hear the sound of happiness.
Owain Glyndwr
The castleCastle
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...
was taken and captured by the forces of Owain Glyndwr
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...
and held until 1403 when it was taken back by Englishman Sir John Pennes, who was shortly himself captured but back in charge of the castle by 1408. It is rumoured that a secret passage leads from the castle to the nearby Plas Mansion.
Present status
As castles go, Llansteffan is fairly simple and somewhat minor, and there is extensive damage done to all sections. Nevertheless, the castle has proven a major tourist draw for the fact that it is not on a grand scale such as nearby Pembroke Castle.On a visit in September 2010; you may still enter the left gate tower.
The reward; an amazing view over the castle remainings, Llansteffan village and Carmathenshiere landscape.
The site is near the Well of St. David and Plas Llanstephan
Plas Llanstephan
Plas Llanstephan is a mansion in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales. On one side of the house sits Llansteffan Castle and on the other Llansteffan village. Plas Llanstephan was built in the second half of the 16th century by the Lloyd family...
.