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

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 County

Denbighshire (5 castles) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey / Stone / Concentric / Royal and Baronial castle

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location53.29012,-3.466517 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Denbighshire (5 castles) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey / Stone / Concentric / Royal and Baronial castle

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
53.29012,-3.466517
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
huddlan Castle's construction was ordered by Edward I. The new castle at Rhuddlan replaced the existing motte and bailey castle that had been built following the Norman Conquest. The building work was begun in 1277 and the castle was built at an important crossing at the mouth of the river Clwyd. Edward had the river straightened and deepened to allow his ships access right up to the castle walls. This was important as it meant the castle could be resupplied by sea which was controlled by the English. The castle was designed by Edward's chief castle builder, James St. George who was responsible for many of the Welsh castles built during this time. Even if it is not instantly obvoius from the remains, Rhuddlan is a concentric type of castle. This means that the castle had not just one wall, but a series of walls thus making an assault on the castle much more difficult. The inner section of the castle consists of a diamond shaped enclosure with six circular towers. There are two entrances to the enclosure, each protected by twin towers. Much of the outer curtain wall has now disappeared but the inner ward's walls are mostly complete. The buildings that would have existed inside the inner ward can no longer be seen.

During the English Civil War the castle was held by forces loyal to King Charles I but surrendered in 1646 to Parliamentarian forces led by Major-General Mytton. The castle was then dismantled by order of Parliament in 1648.

Location

See Also

People

  • Edward (I, King of England 1272-1307)
  • James (of St George)
  • Gwynedd, Owain (Prince of Gwynedd)
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Places

  • Flint Castle
  • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

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

Related Episodes

Edward I and Wales (click here)

Edward I and Wales (click here)

Location Map (click to explore)

Timeline

1062

December

Harold, earl Wessex, attacked Rhuddlan

Harold led an attack on the stronghold of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn at Rhuddlan in north Wales. The attack was a success but the Welsh Prince managed to escape. ¹

1073

...

Motte and Bailey Castle at Rhuddlan

At Rhuddlan, by 1073, a motte and bailey castle had been built on the site of the earlier Welsh fort. This was done by Robert of Rhuddlan, a deputy of the Earl of Chester.  ¹

1277

August

Reconstruction of Rhuddlan Castle begun

Leaving work on Flint Castle underway Edward I moved on up the coast to Rhuddlan where he found the remains of an old Norman Motte and Bailey castle overlooking an important crossing point of the river Clywd. A new castle was ordered and work began to create both the castle and a new town alongside.

1277

November 10

Edward defeats Llywelyn

Llywelyn was cut off from supplies and an escape route so had to accept defeat. Edward demanded payment of £50,000 and all of Llywelyn's territories. Llywelyn was left only with the Isle of Anglesey which he had to pay rent of £1,000 a year. Edward also demanded that Anglesey should be handed over if Llywelyn died without a male heir. Llywelyn swore fealty to Edward at Rhuddlan on November 10th and again at a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day.

1282

August

Feudal levy gather at Rhuddlan

King Edward had called for the feudal army to gather at Rhuddlan in August to put down the Welsh revolt. Edward and Eleanor's daughter Elizabeth was born at Rhuddlan at this time. ¹

1284

March

Statute of Wales/Rhuddlan

After the second Welsh rebellion Edward decided to bring Wales under direct rule. The Statute of Rhuddlan brought English laws to Wales. Edward appointed sheriffs and bailiffs for the northern territories while the southern areas were left under the control of the Marcher Lords.

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. Peter Potter, Data Donation
  • 2. Alan Reid, Castles of Wales, ISBN:0-540-07052-1
  • 3. Kenneth H.Vickers, England in the Later Middle Ages, 1921

    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Edward (I, King of England 1272-1307)
    • James (of St George)
    • Gwynedd, Owain (Prince of Gwynedd)
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Places

    • Flint Castle
    • A .. Z List of Medieval Buildings

    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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