Généalogie and Heritage

Source: Castles of Wales: Llandovery Castle

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Type	Valeur
Titre	Castles of Wales: Llandovery Castle

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RICHARD FitzPons de Clifford

Texte


Lise Hull owns and operates Castles of Britain, an information and research web site providing a wide range of information on the castles of Britain. Mrs. Hull has a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation, and has visited well over 160 castles in Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland. She welcomes any and all questions concerning the castles of Britain, and invites people to visit her web site or contact her directly via e-mail at: castlesu@aol.com.

Lise Hull owns and operates Castles of Britain, an information and research web site providing a wide range of information on the castles of Britain. Mrs. Hull has a Masters Degree in Historic Preservation, and has visited well over 160 castles in Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland. She welcomes any and all questions concerning the castles of Britain, and invites people to visit her web site or contact her directly via e-mail at: castlesu@aol.com.

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Notes


In the town, Carmarthenshire, south Wales SN 767 342 The tiniest of Welsh villages, like pretty Llandovery, inadvertently camouflage their medieval origins. Not normally a problem, except for those of us who hunt for castles, seeking them in every nook and cranny in the Welsh countryside. Many castles loom well overhead, rising above more recent structures, hubbing the centers of town. As we drive into a town or village, we usually have little trouble spotting such well-placed castles. Even without the aid of signs, we can reach them simply by aiming towardthe graying brown ruins. In my travels, I have found that the best way to track a castle is to scan the horizon and then search for brown or gray splotches in a town's center. Studying the hilltops also is a fine strategy for detecting a castle. Over time, the expansion of some Welsh villages has concealed their castles and other medieval relics, like abbeys or burial grounds. For example, the A40 east-west route across Wales, which cuts through the center of Llandovery, is lined with shops, private homes, and other buildings. Even when we are aware that a castle exists in this town, we may find it a challenge to spot its remains. Not only do other buildings block the view, we also do not have the luxury of stopping in the midst of traffic, to gaze down alleyways or ponder just which backroad leads to the site. The key to finding Llandovery's castle is to locate the central car park. Follow the large blue "P" and you will find yourself conveniently situated to explore the castle. The round stone tower and its bright green mound startle visitors who scoot down the short lane into the parking lot. The sight is all the more remarkable when the region's classic cars are on display beneath the medieval castle, as they were on my last visit to Llandovery Castle! From the base of Llandovery Castle, visitors readily sense just how imposing the stronghold was in its heyday. Though simple in comparison with other castles in Wales, Llandovery's placement atop a rocky hillock overlooking the winding River Bran (now partially diverted by the asphalt lot) still intimidates anyone who approaches its footings. In 1116, the Norman Richard Fitz Pons began construction of the motte and bailey, then known as the "castle of Cantref Bychan." Shortly thereafter, the Welsh, led by Gruffydd ap Rhys, attacked and destroyed the outer bailey. However, the Normans retained control of the castle until 1158, when the Lord Rhys successfully seized it from owner Walter Clifford. Over the next several years, control of Llandovery Castle not only alternated between the Welsh and the English, but the heirs of the Lord Rhys (including Rhys Gryg and Maelgwyn) also fought each other for command of their father's possessions. In 1277, Llandovery Castle finally fell to Edward I, and the English monarchs continued to control the stronghold until its demise, with the brief exception of afew months in 1282 when Llywelyn the Last captured the castle. Much of Llandovery Castle's surviving masonry dates to the refortification that occurred after Llywelyn's death. Then, Edward I encouraged John Giffard to strengthen Llandovery Castle in order to secure it from further Welsh attacks. Giffard added a stonecurtain wall (of which little has survived) and the impressive D-shaped tower which, although greatly ruined, still dominates the site. The tower retains a garderobe (latrine) at first floor level. Traces of a twin-towered gatehouse are also visible, as are the grass- covered foundations of other structures, probably domestic buildings like a hall or the kitchen range, which dominated the bailey. After 1282, little else of historic consequence occurred at the castle. Though neglected from then onward, Llandovery Castle was strong enough to be targeted by Owain Glyndwr during his rebellion in the early 1400's. But, after Cromwell's victory in the English Civil War, the aging stronghold was slighted and rendered completely useless. Today, Llandovery Castle steadfastly guards the River Bran and its attractive village. It is freely accessible at all times, and makes an enjoyable stop on any drive across South Wales.

In the town, Carmarthenshire, south Wales
SN 767 342

The tiniest of Welsh villages, like pretty Llandovery, inadvertently camouflage their medieval origins. Not normally a problem, except for those of us who hunt for castles, seeking them in every nook and cranny in the Welsh countryside. Many castles loom well overhead, rising above more recent structures, hubbing the centers of town. As we drive into a town or village, we usually have little trouble spotting such well-placed castles. Even without the aid of signs, we can reach them simply by aiming towardthe graying brown ruins. In my travels, I have found that the best way to track a castle is to scan the horizon and then search for brown or gray splotches in a town's center. Studying the hilltops also is a fine strategy for detecting a castle.

Over time, the expansion of some Welsh villages has concealed their castles and other medieval relics, like abbeys or burial grounds. For example, the A40 east-west route across Wales, which cuts through the center of Llandovery, is lined with shops, private homes, and other buildings. Even when we are aware that a castle exists in this town, we may find it a challenge to spot its remains. Not only do other buildings block the view, we also do not have the luxury of stopping in the midst of traffic, to gaze down alleyways or ponder just which backroad leads to the site.

The key to finding Llandovery's castle is to locate the central car park. Follow the large blue "P" and you will find yourself conveniently situated to explore the castle. The round stone tower and its bright green mound startle visitors who scoot down the short lane into the parking lot. The sight is all the more remarkable when the region's classic cars are on display beneath the medieval castle, as they were on my last visit to Llandovery Castle!

From the base of Llandovery Castle, visitors readily sense just how imposing the stronghold was in its heyday. Though simple in comparison with other castles in Wales, Llandovery's placement atop a rocky hillock overlooking the winding River Bran (now partially diverted by the asphalt lot) still intimidates anyone who approaches its footings.

In 1116, the Norman Richard Fitz Pons began construction of the motte and bailey, then known as the "castle of Cantref Bychan." Shortly thereafter, the Welsh, led by Gruffydd ap Rhys, attacked and destroyed the outer bailey. However, the Normans retained control of the castle until 1158, when the Lord Rhys successfully seized it from owner Walter Clifford. Over the next several years, control of Llandovery Castle not only alternated between the Welsh and the English, but the heirs of the Lord Rhys (including Rhys Gryg and Maelgwyn) also fought each other for command of their father's possessions. In 1277, Llandovery Castle finally fell to Edward I, and the English monarchs continued to control the stronghold until its demise, with the brief exception of afew months in 1282 when Llywelyn the Last captured the castle.

Much of Llandovery Castle's surviving masonry dates to the refortification that occurred after Llywelyn's death. Then, Edward I encouraged John Giffard to strengthen Llandovery Castle in order to secure it from further Welsh attacks. Giffard added a stonecurtain wall (of which little has survived) and the impressive D-shaped tower which, although greatly ruined, still dominates the site. The tower retains a garderobe (latrine) at first floor level. Traces of a twin-towered gatehouse are also visible, as are the grass- covered foundations of other structures, probably domestic buildings like a hall or the kitchen range, which dominated the bailey.

After 1282, little else of historic consequence occurred at the castle. Though neglected from then onward, Llandovery Castle was strong enough to be targeted by Owain Glyndwr during his rebellion in the early 1400's. But, after Cromwell's victory in the English Civil War, the aging stronghold was slighted and rendered completely useless.

Today, Llandovery Castle steadfastly guards the River Bran and its attractive village. It is freely accessible at all times, and makes an enjoyable stop on any drive across South Wales.