Caerphilly Castle

Our View

Caerphilly Castle so big, it’s best to appreciate it from a distance first, taking in the vast outer walls, the lakes and the inner concentric castle itself. After 1066, the Normans established themselves in southern Wales, building castles to defend against Welsh aggression. One such castle was Caerphilly. Work started in 1268, funded by the wealthy baron Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford. Two years later, Prince Llywelyn attacked. How much damage was actually done to the fledgling castle is not known, but de Clare ordered that building should be completed as soon as possible. When Llywelyn attacked again in 1271, he was repelled. The castle itself comprises a rectangular enclosure with outer and inner walls. The inner walls contain two great gatehouses and the remains of the great hall and domestic areas. The outer walls, well-fortified with towers and gatehouses, gave additional protection to the inner ward, and were surrounded by a moat. Beyond the moat to the east lay a further complex of defences in the form of great walls studded with towers. The artificial lake lent protection to the north and south sides, while a walled island defended the west. After the death of de Clare’s son, Caerphilly passed to Hugh Despenser, the favourite of Edward II. Edward himself took refuge here from his estranged wife and her lover, although he was forced to flee when she besieged the castle, leaving behind half his treasure and most of his clothes. Oliver Cromwell ordered Caerphilly to be slighted during the English Civil War. After the Civil War was over, local people stole Caerphilly’s stones to build houses, and subsidence caused one of its towers to lean dramatically to one side.