Denbigh castle is situated on the south side of the town high on a hill. It belonged to a series of Welsh princes before being rebuilt by the English in stone. It was granted to Dafydd ap Gruffydd by King Edward I after Dafydd assisted the English king put down a Welsh rebellion in 1277. But Dafydd rebelled against the English in 1282. Construction of a new castle at Denbigh was ordered by Edward I after the town was captured by the English. It was built by James of St. George for Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln who was granted ownership by Edward. Denbigh castle was part of King Edward's series of forts built in North Wales in order to put down Welsh rebellions. Construction of the castle and the town's outer wall was interrupted when the town was attacked by the Welsh in 1294 and possibly captured. Building work continued when the English regained control after the uprising was put down. Henry de Lacy died in 1311 before the completion of the building work. The main feature of the castle is the gatehouse which consists of three towers arranged so that any attackers would be exposed to arrow fire from many sides. A series of portcullises, inner doors and a drawbridge were also in place to provide a high degree of defence. In medieval times the houses were contained within the town walls on the hill but due to its steepness these houses were abandoned and the town was relocated on the valley floor below.