Europe · United Kingdom · Carmarthenshire
Llansteffan Castle
The story
History of Llansteffan Castle
Llansteffan Castle (Welsh: Castell Llansteffan) is a privately owned castle in Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, Wales, overlooking the River Towy estuary in Carmarthen Bay.
United Kingdom · Carmarthenshire
- Built
- 1100
- Era
- Medieval
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Carmarthenshire
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 51.766, -4.390
In depth
The fuller history
Llansteffan Castle () is a privately owned castle in Llansteffan, Carmarthenshire, Wales, overlooking the River Towy estuary in Carmarthen Bay.
The castle sits on a much older Iron Age promontory fort, proving Llansteffan has been inhabited for several millennia. The hill where the castle stands commands the River Towy estuary. The hill would have been stripped of trees so that foot soldiers were vulnerable to attack by archers.
The original earthworks can still be seen and were used as part of the modern castle's defence system—the castle proper rests within the earthwork rings.
Key dates
- 1100The castle was built by the Normans after 1100 as part of their invasion of Wales and granted to the Marmion family before passing to the Camvilles through marriage.
- 1146It was captured by Maredudd ap Gruffydd in 1146 against the forces of Maurice FitzGerald, Lord of Lanstephan and his brother William FitzGerald, Lord of Emlyn who were the leading Norman settlers of the region, members…
- 1215Llywelyn the Great recaptured the castle for the Welsh in 1215 and taken back by the Camville family sometime after 1223.
- 1403The castle was captured twice by the forces of Owain Glyndŵr in 1403 and c.1405.
- 1408It was recaptured by Sir John Pennes in 1408.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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