Kidwelly Castle
| Kidwelly Castle Welsh: Castell Cydweli | |
|
Carmarthenshire | |
|---|---|
 Kidwelly Castle | |
| Location | |
| Location: | 51°44’24"N, 4°18’15"W |
| History | |
| Battles: | Revolt of Owain Glyndŵr |
| Information | |
| Condition: | Ruined |
| Owned by: | Cadw |
Kidwelly Castle is a Norman castle overlooking the River Gwendraeth and the town of Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire.
The castle is relatively well-preserved, and is managed by Cadw.
History
The present remains of the castle include work from about 1200 to about 1476. Created as a defence against the Welsh princes, the castle fell to their forces several times in the twelfth century. Later in its history, it was unsuccessfully besieged by forces of Owain Glyndŵr in 1403 with assistance from soldiers from France and Brittany who captured Kidwelly town. The castle was relieved by a Norman army after just three weeks.
The gatehouse was extensively damaged by Glyndŵr's assault and it was rebuilt on the instructions of King Henry V. It largely escaped involvement in the Civil War.
The plan of the castle consists of a square inner bailey defended by four round towers, which overlook a semi-circular outer curtain wall on the landward side, with the massive gatehouse next to the river. The river prevents this from being a truly concentric plan, however a jutting tower protects the riverside walls, and the final plan is very strong.
In popular culture
Kidwelly was used as a location for the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, appearing in the very first scene after the titles. After the first view of King Arthur and Patsy, a very misty establishing shot shows Kidwelly as their destination. However, the following close up filming was done at Doune Castle in Perthshire.
Local stories insist that the surrounding countryside is haunted by the headless ghost of Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd, wife of the Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Rhys, who was beheaded in 1136.[1]
Outside links
 |
("Wikimedia Commons" has material about Kidwelly Castle) |
- Cadw page
- Kidwelly Castle on Castle Wales
References
- ↑ Ash, Russell (1973). Folklore, Myths and Legends of Britain. Reader's Digest Association Limited. p. 387. ISBN 9780340165973.
- Kenyon, John R. (2007) [1986], Kidwelly Castle (4th ed.), Cardiff: Cadw, ISBN 978-1-85760-256-2
