Europe · United Kingdom · Flintshire
Castell Caergwrle
The story
History of Castell Caergwrle
Caergwrle Castle (Welsh: Castell Caergwrle), also known as Queen's Hope in scholarly texts, is a castle located in the village of Caergwrle, in Flintshire, Wales.
United Kingdom · Flintshire
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Flintshire
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 53.107, -3.037
In depth
The fuller history
Prior to the current castle, of which ruins remain, there is thought to have been a hill fort at the site dating from either the late Roman/post Roman period. Construction of the castle began in 1277, after King Edward I of England gave the lordship of Hope to Dafydd ap Gruffydd as reward for his service in the wars against the Welsh which concluded earlier that year. Dafydd, brother to Llywelyn the Great, had fought against the Welsh after being imprisoned by Llywelyn to deny him his inherited land rights.
The Bronze Age Caergwrle Bowl was discovered by a workman digging a drain in the fields below the castle in 1823. It is made of shale, tin and gold in a unique configuration. Excavations took place at the castle in three phases between 1988 and 1990. They were concentrated on investigating the ground within the walls and the three surviving towers. Today, the castle's ruins are cared for by Cadw on behalf of the Welsh Government. They are a Grade I listed structure.
Key dates
- 1276Edward declared war in 1276, and afterwards enforced the division of inheritance on Llywelyn under Welsh law.
- 1277Construction of the castle began in 1277, after King Edward I of England gave the lordship of Hope to Dafydd ap Gruffydd as reward for his service in the wars against the Welsh which concluded earlier that year.
- 1278The first reference to the castle appears in the rolls of the Royal Wardrobe, referencing that Edward had sent 100 marks to Dafydd on 12 November 1278 towards the castle; however, there is debate between scholars…
- 1282It has been speculated that Dafydd employed English masons to work on the castle, which was apparently unfinished when Dafydd revolted in 1282.
- 1283A town was planned at the base of the castle, but this was abandoned after a fire broke out in September 1283 when both Edward and Eleanor were present.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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