Europe · United Kingdom · Carmarthenshire
Kidwelly Castle
The story
History of Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly Castle (Welsh: Castell Cydweli) is a ruined castle overlooking the River Gwendraeth and the town of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales.
United Kingdom · Carmarthenshire
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Carmarthenshire
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 51.739, -4.306
In depth
The fuller history
In 1106 Roger, bishop of Salisbury was made lord of the cantref of Kidwelly (Cydweli), following the Norman conquest of the area from the Welsh. The castle and adjoining walled town and priory were built soon after, supporting Norman rule in south Wales through military, economic and spiritual means. The original structure was an earth and timber ringwork, of which the semicircular outer ditch remains.
Key dates
- 1136In 1136, Welsh princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffudd was beheaded after being captured in a battle near the castle.
- 1215The castle was captured and razed by Llywelyn the Great in 1215, and again in 1231.
- 1279After Payn died in 1279, the castle passed through an infant heiress and the marcher lord William de Valence to the Duchy of Lancaster.
- 1422The gatehouse was finally completed in 1422.
- 1485After the accession of Henry VII in 1485, the castle was granted to Rhys ap Thomas, one of the new king's key allies at the Battle of Bosworth.
- 1975Kidwelly Castle was used as a location for the 1975 film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, appearing in the first scene after the titles.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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