Caerphilly Castle
Caerphilly Castle was built by the 7th Earl of Gloucester, Gilbert de Clare, starting in 1268. In the early stages, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last Prince of Wales burned it, believing it encroached on his land. These events are related (spoiler!) in Daughter of Time from the After Cilmeri series. Just as a side note to begin, Caerphilly is spelled by CADW, the Welsh historical preservation society with a ‘y’ at the end, not an ‘i’ as it might be in Welsh. Llywelyn actually attacked the castle twice during its construction, but ultimately had to give way to the power of the Normans. Even today, Caerphilly is the largest castle in Wales and second only to Windsor in size in all of Britain. One historian has described Caerphilly as “having the most extensive water-defenses” of any castle, covering 30 acres Read more…
Pembroke Castle
Pembroke Castle is a medieval fortress in Pembroke, South Wales. It was the seat of the Norman Earls of Pembroke for centuries. Pembroke Castle was begun in 1093 by Arnulf de Montgomery on a promontory near the Pembroke River as part of the initial Norman conquest of Wales. He made Gerald of Windsor, who built Carew Castle, its castellan. Today, it is located in what became known in south Wales as ‘little England’ in that this region has been ruled by the English since that early date. The castle began as a typical motte and bailey structure with a rampart and palisade. It was rebuilt in the 12th century in stone by William Marshal, who was not only the Earl of Pembroke but also the Marshal of England. He had acquired the castle in 1189 through marriage to Isabel de Read more…
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