CASTLE DIARY
Built by Maredudd ap Rhys Grug
The castle had an evenful history. It was strongly contested during Rhys ap Meredudd’s unsuccessful revolt against Edward I. Roger Mortimer occupied and garrisoned the castle, It was retaken by Rhys’ men and Robert Tiptoft send a massive engine from Dryslwyn castle. This was not needed as a blockade of 25 days saw Rhys’ men surrender.
The castle was abandoned until David ap Moris and his son Dafydd Fychan held it until the King appeared on the scene. Dafydd Fychan was rewarded for his loyalty by being made Bailiff of Emlyn.
Edward I ordered the repair and provisioning of the castle.
Edward II has a new hall built inside the walls for £50.
Edward II invested his eldest son Edward the Black Prince with the principality of Wales. Serious structural defects were found in the castle.
A re-building programme was instigated under the management of the Prince’s Chamberlain, Richard de la Bere. He was granted the castle at Newcastle Emlyn rent free as reward for his good service.
The castle passed out of Royal hands and was granted outright to Simon Burley.
Briefly capture by Owain Glyndwr.
A detailed survey of the castle reveals that the crowded inner ward contained a hall, a chapel and other domestic buildings.
In the early 16th century the castle passed into the hands of the Tudor magnate, Sir Rhys ap Thomas who carried out some rebuilding with alterations to the windows of the gatehouses.
It was a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War though taken three times by siege and assault. The castle’s defences held Parliamentary forces at bay for a fortnight. Cromwell ordered it to be blown up.
Most of the loose stone of the castle was removed by towns peoplle to build houses.
The ruins have been consolidated over the years by various bodies.
The castle had an evenful history. It was strongly contested during Rhys ap Meredudd’s unsuccessful revolt against Edward I. Roger Mortimer occupied and garrisoned the castle, It was retaken by Rhys’ men and Robert Tiptoft send a massive engine from Dryslwyn castle. This was not needed as a blockade of 25 days saw Rhys’ men surrender.
The castle was abandoned until David ap Moris and his son Dafydd Fychan held it until the King appeared on the scene. Dafydd Fychan was rewarded for his loyalty by being made Bailiff of Emlyn.
Edward I ordered the repair and provisioning of the castle.
Edward II has a new hall built inside the walls for £50.
Edward II invested his eldest son Edward the Black Prince with the principality of Wales. Serious structural defects were found in the castle.
A re-
The castle passed out of Royal hands and was granted outright to Simon Burley.
Briefly capture by Owain Glyndwr.
A detailed survey of the castle reveals that the crowded inner ward contained a hall, a chapel and other domestic buildings.
In the early 16th century the castle passed into the hands of the Tudor magnate, Sir Rhys ap Thomas who carried out some rebuilding with alterations to the windows of the gatehouses.
It was a Royalist stronghold during the English Civil War though taken three times by siege and assault. The castle’s defences held Parliamentary forces at bay for a fortnight. Cromwell ordered it to be blown up.
Most of the loose stone of the castle was removed by towns peoplle to build houses.
The ruins have been consolidated over the years by various bodies.
1240
1287
1294 -95
1300
1312
1343
1347-48
1382
1403
1532
1552
1644
1800’s
1978-82
1287
1294 -
1300
1312
1343
1347-
1382
1403
1532
1552
1644
1800’s
1978-