Castell Dolwyddelan

The fragmentary remains of Tomen Castell, a small tower, stand on a rocky outcrop between the later castle and the Afon Lledr. The tower predates Dolwyddelan Castle and is the likely birthplace of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, prince of Gwynedd and Wales, despite a tradition that the prince was born in the castle. Tomen Castell may have been built by Iorwerth Drwyndwn, the father of Llywelyn and eldest son of Owain Gwynedd, to assert his authority in the period of unrest after the death of the latter in 1170.

The siege which brought the castle under English control did not last long and it is possible that the constable negotiated a surrender. The castle was immediately refortified, supplied with a siege engine built at Betws-y-Coed, and occupied by an English garrison which was supplied with white material from Ireland and white stockings to use as winter camouflage. Between 1283 and 1292 the castle was repaired and a new bridge and water mill constructed in the valley.

Little appears to have happened at the castle between the end of the thirteenth century and 1488, when the lease was acquired by Maredudd ab Ieuan. According to the History of the Gwydir Family, compiled by his descendant Sir John Wynn, 1st baronet between 1590 and 1614, Maredudd was a member of a family from the commote of Eifionydd which was notorious for kindred feuds, and he moved to Dolwyddelan to both extend his influence and distance himself from his relatives.