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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Abergavenny Castle
Castle
Castle
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Abergavenny Castle

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 County

Monmouthshire (9 castles) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey / Stone / Norman Square Keep

 Remains

Small amount survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Comments

Built on a hill to the north of the River Usk. This castle was originally a wooden motte and bailey type. A stone keep later replaced the wooden structure. 

 Location51.819633,-3.017528 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Monmouthshire (9 castles) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey / Stone / Norman Square Keep

 Remains

Small amount survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Comments

Built on a hill to the north of the River Usk. This castle was originally a wooden motte and bailey type. A stone keep later replaced the wooden structure. 

 Location
51.819633,-3.017528
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
bergavenny Castle is a castle in Wales situated at the confluence of the Gavenny and Usk rivers. A castle was possibly constructed here during the Norman Conquest of England and Wales before 1100. It was the property of Hamelin (de Ballon) who built a motte and bailey castle. The castle passed into the hands of Brien Fitz-Count in around 1119, a supporter of Queen Matilda during the Civil Wars with King Stephen. The castle passed down to his son William de Braose.

In 1175 a terrible massacre occurred at the castle. A few years earlier, in 1172 or 1173, the castle was captured from William de Braose by Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal, a Welsh Chieftain. The castle was restored to Braose by Sitsyllt and the chieftain was invited to a feast to celebrate its return. But instead of this being a friendly meeting Braose had Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal and his guests cruelly murdered.

The castle has had a chequered history being attacked many times and changing hands. In 1215 the castle was captured from King John's forces by LLewellyn, the Prince of Wales. In 1403/4 it was attacked and destroyed by Owain Glyndwr. Again in 1646 during the English Civil War the castle was subject to attack. This time the castle was totally destroyed so it could not be used as a fortification again. The stones were robbed to provide building material for the nearby town.

Location

See Also

People

  • Braose, William de
  • Glyndwr, Owain
  • John (King of England 1199-1216)
  • Iorwerth, Llywelyn ap
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Related Information

  • Why build and live in castles
  • Castle development timeline
  • Keep and bailey castles
  • Castles of William the Conqueror
  • Motte and bailey castles
  • Shell-Keeps
  • Square keeps
  • Polygonal Keeps
  • Castles of Edward I
  • Parts of a castle
  • Location of lots of castles
  • Castle construction timeline

Related Maps

  • Map of Castles

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Timeline

1175

...

Murder of Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal

Abergavenny Castle was captured from William de Braose by Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal, a Welsh Chieftain. The castle was restored to Braose by Sitsyllt and the Chieftain was invited to a feast to celebrate its return. Instead of a friendly meeting Braose had Sitsyllt ap Dwfnwal and his guests murdered. ¹

1182

...

Abergavenny Castle attacked

In 1182 Abergavenny Castle was invaded by the sons of Sitsyllt in revenge for the death of their father. ¹

1215

...

Llewellyn captures Abervagenny Castle

The castle at Abervagenny was captured from King John's forces by Llewellyn. ¹

1403

...

Abergavenny attacked by Glyndwr

The castle at Abergavenny was attacked and burnt by Owain Glyndwr. ¹

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. Timbs & Gunn, Abbeys, Castles & Ancient Halls of England & Wales
  • 2. John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales

    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Braose, William de
    • Glyndwr, Owain
    • John (King of England 1199-1216)
    • Iorwerth, Llywelyn ap
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Related Information

    • Why build and live in castles
    • Castle development timeline
    • Keep and bailey castles
    • Castles of William the Conqueror
    • Motte and bailey castles
    • Shell-Keeps
    • Square keeps
    • Polygonal Keeps
    • Castles of Edward I
    • Parts of a castle
    • Location of lots of castles
    • Castle construction timeline

    Related Maps

    • Map of Castles

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