Europe · United Kingdom · Carmarthenshire
Castell Dryslwyn
The story
History of Castell Dryslwyn
Dryslwyn Castle (Welsh: Castell Dryslwyn or Castell y Drysllwyn) is a native Welsh castle, sited on a rocky hill roughly halfway between Llandeilo and Carmarthen in Wales.
United Kingdom · Carmarthenshire
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Carmarthenshire
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 51.862, -4.101
In depth
The fuller history
Little is left of the original structure and much of what is now visible has been revealed by excavation. A small portion of the middle and outer walls survive, mostly associated with the middle and outer gates. The best-preserved remains are within the inner ward, and here can be seen the polygonal plan that was adopted to fit in with the shape of the hilltop.
It is considered one of the most important remaining structures built by a Welsh prince and is a Grade I listed building, being noteworthy as the only native Welsh castle to have three wards.
Since 2024, Cadw have used the Welsh name in English, as part of an effort to standardise the names in both languages.
Key dates
- 1197On his death in 1197, his three sons contested his inheritance and fought between themselves for supremacy.
- 1234It may have been that Rhys Gryg built the two fortresses of Dryslwyn and Dinefwr in order to provide legacies for his two sons after his death, which happened in 1234.
- 1246It was apparently assaulted in 1246, because it was mentioned in an ancient chronicle, Annales Cambrie, where a siege of the castle by the Seneschal of Carmarthen was mentioned.
- 1287However, in 1287 he revolted against English rule, and the castle was besieged and captured after a three-week siege by the forces of King Edward I.
- 1292Rhys's revolt petered out the following year, and Rhys himself was captured and executed in 1292.
- 1403Dryslwyn was seized by Owain Glyndŵr in the summer of 1403 and when the English forces recaptured it they decommissioned it by blocking various access routes, walling up the gatehouse, removing the treads from stone…
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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