Llantrisant Castle

Sem Phillips, in his book, The History of the Borough of Llantrisant, Glamorganshire, and Its Neighbourhood, mentions "that taking everything into consideration it seems most probably to have been erected by Gwrgan ab Ithel (Lord of Glamorgan), and repaired, if not rebuilt, by Einion ab Collwyn after the invasion of Fitzhamon." Many antiquaries assert that the above opinion is inconsistent.

This appears to be a period when many castles in Glamorgan were built, and many strong places to have been renewed. The present fragments of masonry comparing with other places of that age. There is no certainty for how long a period the castle was used as a residence.

We find an account of writs issued 15 July 1297, to Walter de Hacklut, custos, to complete the gate of the Castle of Llantrisant which he had begun. After the death of Earl Gilbert in 1314, the Earl's executors had a writ to give seizen to the heirs, 15 July 1317. Bartholomew de Badlesmere was in charge of Glamorgan, and all the officers of the lordship were to have the same fees as in the time of the Earl, also he is to store the castles. In 1315, reference is made to Llantrisant Castle, when a William Fleming was given the custody of the Castle and the Forest of Miskin as Bailiff.