Medieval Castles

Shrewsbury Castle

Jan 1, 1070

The Shrewsbury Castle was made out of red sandstone. Most of it was demolished during the rebuilding and strengthening of the castle by Edward I around 1300. The Castle was captured by the Parliamentarians around 1645. Then later Charles II was restored to the throne and that it was surrendered to the Crown. The Castle opened to the public in 1926, but was in private ownership.

Caerleon Castle

Jan 1, 1085

Caerleon saw centuries of Christian and Roman settlements and fortification before the Norman invaders started useing the site for the steep motte of their castle around 1085. The Caerleon Castle was attacked and captured by the Welsh in 1217. Then later resisting another attack by the Welsh in 1231. This castle is home to many legends. It is often mentioned as being the place where Arthur's palace stood.

Caernarfon Castle

Jan 1, 1090

Caernarvon was built on the shoreline because supplies came by sea. Edward I who built the castle also built a town, destroying the original Welsh settlement beforehand. Material for building the castle, town, walls, gates, and were imported by sea. Most say if you are to visit the site, you should not overlook the remains of the town walls.

Swansea Castle

Jan 1, 1106

The Swansea Castle suffered in many Welsh raids. It was istablished by a friend of Henry I whose name was Henry de Beaumont. The visible remains around the north and south blocks where possibly the works of William de Braose III. On the ground floor are three vaulted chambers, which contain four rooms above them. These rooms where inserted in the late 18th century when the block was turned into a debtor's prison. It was probably used as a prison before.

Pembridge Castle

Jan 1, 1208

This was the castle of Ralph de Pembridge. It was later repaired in 1675 by George Kemble. George Kemble made the castle habitable. The restoration of the towers and walls was done by Dr. Hedley Bartlett. Richard de Pembridge was buried in the nave of Hereford Cathedral in 1340. His body was found at the Battle of Sluys. Later in life he held many official positions and was also elected a Knight of the Garter in 1368.

Aberystwyth Castle

Aug 1, 1277

In 1277, a king named Edward I requested the construction of several formidable castles. The castles where Flint, Rhuddlan, Builith, and Aberystwyth. All of these castles have survived and are able to allow vistiors to come see the landmarks. The castels have decayed over the years and are not in the original condition they once where. In 1282 the Welsh revolted agianst the English that was waged at Aberystwyth Castle and other places all over Wales.

St Donats Castle

Jan 1, 1298

St Donats was owned by the de Haweys family who also had estates in Somerset and Dorset. The castle lies on a promontory with steep cliffs on the west. The outer wall mainly remains and has a small original tower utterly contained with it on the north. The western section of the inner curtain is gone, which makes room for the early 16th century north and west ranges, and the remainder has buildings of several dates against both sides of it.

Weobley Castle

Jan 1, 1304

The earliest buildings to be built at Weobley was the hall block, the two southern towers and sections of the east curtain. plans where changed while buliding the castle. Nobody knows the reasons for the changes in plan, nor can anyone be certain who applied them. Alos the Weobley Castle was then held by Sir Rhys ap Thomas.

Barry Castle

Jan 1, 1400

The Barry Castle was built more of a small fortified manor house than a castle. The castle was built around the time of the 13th and 14th centuries. The castle contains a drawbridge and double doors. Also there is a small room above, in which the outer wall and arched window still remain.

Croft Castle

Jan 1, 1401

At the Croft Castle there was timber buildings around the enclosed area and the outwork may have been fortified by adding wooden watchtowers. Later a larger stone castle was built and replaced the earth and timber castle near 1400. In the 17th century the castle was restored and converted into a mansion. The Croft family sold the castle in 1746 because of financial presures.