Europe · United Kingdom · Wrexham County Borough
Chirk Castle
The story
History of Chirk Castle
Chirk Castle (Welsh: Castell y Waun) is a Grade I listed castle located in Chirk, Wrexham County Borough, Wales, 1.5 mi (2.4 km) from Chirk railway station, now owned and run by the National Trust.
United Kingdom · Wrexham County Borough
- Built
- 1295
- Era
- Medieval
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Wrexham County Borough
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 52.935, -3.089
In depth
The fuller history
The castle was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer de Chirk, uncle of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March as part of Edward I's chain of fortresses across the north of Wales, guarding the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley. It was the administrative centre for the Marcher Lordship of Chirkland. It was run as a March castle by the Layards Edwardes of Chirk until removed by the Star Chamber when it was taken up by the Myddelton family. The Edwardes coat of arms is preserved in the castle. Edwardes became the Barony of Kensington. The castle was bought by Sir Thomas Myddelton in 1593 for £5,000 (approx.
Key dates
- 1295The castle was built in 1295 by Roger Mortimer de Chirk, uncle of Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March as part of Edward I's chain of fortresses across the north of Wales, guarding the entrance to the Ceiriog Valley.
- 1659His son, Thomas Myddelton of Chirk Castle was a Parliamentarian during the English Civil War, but became a Royalist during the 'Cheshire rising' of 1659 led by George Booth, 1st Baron Delamer.
- 1981Chirk remained in the Myddelton family until it was transferred to the National Trust in 1981; the castle and gardens are open to the public.
- 2018In 2018 and 2018 the Clwyd-Powys Archaeological Trust excavated a section across Offa's Dyke here, and found substantial remains of the ditch and bank.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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