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Rhayader Castle (site of)
The story
History of Rhayader Castle (site of)
Rhayader Castle is the remains of a motte-and-bailey castle in the town of Rhayader, Powys, Wales. The available documentary sources are not clear enough to distinguish between this site and the castle mound across the river and one or the…
United Kingdom · Powys
- Built
- 1177
- Era
- Medieval
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Powys
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 52.301, -3.514
In depth
The fuller history
Rhys had recently conquered Buellt, hitherto ruled by William de Braose, as vengeance for the latter's notorious treatment of Welsh princes at Abergavenny Castle. The exact status of Gwrtheyrnion is unclear, its only recorded ruler having been an unidentified Einion ap Rhys, whose is described as Rhys ap Gruffydd's son-in-law; Rhys did have a son-in-law named Einion, but this was Einion o'r Porth, the son of Einion Clud, and ruler of Elfael.
In 1182, however, Rhys and William de Braose made a peace agreement, with Rhys' son, Gruffydd, being wed to William's daughter. They were on sufficiently friendly terms for William to be allowed to re-establish himself in Buellt.
Key dates
- 1177The available documentary sources are not clear enough to distinguish between this site and the castle mound across the river and one or the other was probably built by Rhys ap Gruffydd, Prince of Deheubarth, in 1177.
- 1188Einion o'r Porth joined the Third Crusade in 1188, but was murdered upon his return by his brother Gwalter, who seized Elfael.
- 1194Rhys rebuilt the castle in 1194.
- 1196In 1196, Rhys died, leading to a succession dispute between Gruffydd and his older bastard brother, Maelgwn ap Rhys.
- 1230In 1230, Ralph Mortimer, the son of Roger, married the daughter of Llywelyn Fawr.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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