Castell Ewloe

Ewloe was formerly thought to have been built around 1257 by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, it is now thought Ewloe was started much earlier by Llywelyn's grandfather, Llywelyn ab Iorwerth. Various periods have been put forward for its construction, including 1213–18 or 1221–37. An earlier fortification might have already existed on this site in Ewloe Woods following the victory of Owain Gwynedd, prince of Wales in the Battle of Ewloe against the forces of Henry II in 1157.

In 1276, Edward I began the first Welsh War by marching his forces out of the castle at Chester and up the west coast of the Dee Estuary. After an advanced base was established at Flint (a day's travel from Chester), building work immediately began on Flint Castle. Ewloe is not mentioned in the war chronicles of 1276–77 but the presence of what appears to be a siegework outside the castle may suggest it was besieged. Ewloe had no military value to Edward I because his strategic castles at Flint and Rhuddlan could be provisioned by sea.