Europe · United Kingdom · Gwynedd
Castell y Bere
The story
History of Castell y Bere
Castell y Bere is a Welsh castle near Llanfihangel-y-pennant in Gwynedd, Wales. Constructed by Llywelyn the Great in the 1220s, the stone castle was intended to maintain his authority over the local people and to defend the south-west part…
United Kingdom · Gwynedd
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Gwynedd
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 52.658, -3.971
In depth
The fuller history
Following the revolt Castell y Bere and the new English town were both abandoned. While the castle was well situated, unlike the other new coastal castles built by Edward I it could not be provisioned by sea and as a result did not fit well into his plan for controlling North Wales. By the 16th century the castle had lapsed into a state of decay, and the Welsh poet Gruffydd Hiraethog observed that "on the banks of the river Dysynni is Castell-y-Bere, where stood a large strong building but which is now destroyed and cast to the ground".
Key dates
- 1255Llywelyn's grandson, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, took power in 1255 and imprisoned his brother Owain ap Gruffudd before extending his power across Wales.
- 1282In 1282 Llywelyn fought a final campaign against Edward, ending in the prince's death near Builth that December.
- 1284Edward continued to invest money and time in Castell y Bere; he visited three times in 1284, establishing a small town alongside the castle, possibly just to the east.
- 1294In 1294 the Welsh leader Madog ap Llywelyn mounted a major revolt and the castle was besieged and apparently burnt.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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