TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emperors of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
    Family Trees
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times
    Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development
    Early Fortifications Motte and Bailey Castles Square Keeps Castles of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle
    Locations of over 300 Castles UK Castles by County
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings 3D Virtual Reconstructions Maps Photographs
    Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
  • 3D/VR
    3D Virtual Reconstructions VR Experiences
    Virtual Motte and Bailey Castle Virtual Norman Keep Virtual Siege Engines
    Bodiam Castle Skenfrith Castle Middleham Castle The White Tower Etal Castle
    Knights Training
  • More
    Test your Knowledge
    Glossary of Terms Scriptorium
    Games Early Access
    Copyright / About TimeRef.com Contact the Author
TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emperors of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
    Family Trees
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times
    Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development
    Early Fortifications Motte and Bailey Castles Square Keeps Castles of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle
    Locations of over 300 Castles UK Castles by County
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings 3D Virtual Reconstructions Maps Photographs
    Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
  • 3D/VR
    3D Virtual Reconstructions VR Experiences
    Virtual Motte and Bailey Castle Virtual Norman Keep Virtual Siege Engines
    Bodiam Castle Skenfrith Castle Middleham Castle The White Tower Etal Castle
    Knights Training
  • More
    Test your Knowledge
    Glossary of Terms Scriptorium
    Games Early Access
    Copyright / About TimeRef.com Contact the Author
  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Caerphilly Castle
Castle
Castle
Please note that the TimeRef website is currently being redesigned.

Caerphilly Castle

Tweet
 County

Caerphilly (1 castle) 

 Categories

Edward I / Concentric / Lake Fortress / Royal castle

 Remains

Excellent remains

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Comments

A huge castle with lots to explore. Well worth a visit.

 Location51.5767,-3.2192 (Google Maps) DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Caerphilly (1 castle) 

 Categories

Edward I / Concentric / Lake Fortress / Royal castle

 Remains

Excellent remains

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Comments

A huge castle with lots to explore. Well worth a visit.

 Location
51.5767,-3.2192
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
aerphilly Castle's construction was ordered by Henry III who was under pressure from a Welsh revolt led by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. Gilbert de Clare was the Norman Lord put in charge of the building work. He was aware of the threat of attack by the Welsh and in 1267 had prempted any Welsh led conflict by moving into Welsh held territories and capturing a local leader called Gruffydd ap Rhys. Building work at Caerphilly was begun in 1268. In 1270 the Welsh attacked the castle during its construction and set it alight. It appears that the conflict could have become out of control but Henry III intervened and Llywelyn withdrew to leave de Clare to restart the building work. The castle is defended by a series of moats and walls. The distance from the castle's outer wall to the centre is too large for the normal war techniques to be any use. Catapults would not reach and it was too far to tunnel. The inner ward of the castle is rectangular and has large towers on each corner. Entrance points to the castle are guarded by two massive towers. After the death of the last of the de Clares the castle passed to Hugh Despenser, the favourite of Edward II, and stayed under his control until 1326 when he was executed by Queen Isabella's followers.

Location

See Also

People

  • Henry (III, King of England 1216-1272)
  • Isabella (of France, Wife of Edward II)
  • Gruffydd, Llywelyn ap
  • Despenser, Hugh (the younger)
  • 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

3D Reconstructions

This image shows an artistic impression

This image shows an artistic impression

Explore the 3D reconstructions

Timeline

1268

...

Caerphilly Castle construction

Construction of the castle at Caerphilly was begun in 1268 under the control of Gilbert de Clare.

1270

...

Caerphilly Castle attacked

The Welsh attacked the castle during its construction and set it alight. It appears that the conflict could have become out of control but Henry III intervened and Llywelyn withdrew to leave de Clare to restart the building work.

3D Virtual Reconstructions

Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past. Built using the popular game development tool Unity 3D, these reconstructions will run in the most of the popular web browsers on your desktop or laptop computer.

Medieval people

Uncover the lives of the hundreds of kings, queens, lords, ladies, barons, earls, archbishops and rebels who made the medieval people an exciting period of history to live through.

Location

See Also

People

  • Henry (III, King of England 1216-1272)
  • Isabella (of France, Wife of Edward II)
  • Gruffydd, Llywelyn ap
  • Despenser, Hugh (the younger)
  • 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
3D/VR

Virtual Buildings

Transport yourself back up to a thousand years and explore historical buildings as they may have appeared in the past.

Explore the White Tower

Explore four floors of the keep at the Tower of London.

 

Adventure Game - Early Access

Early Access to the TimeRef card-based Adventure Game.

 

Medieval Village - Early Access

Explore the medieval village.

 

^ Back to top

          x-small

          small

          medium

          large

          x-large

          x-x-large

          This popup will contain more information
          This popup will contain more information
          xyz
          xyz