Aberystwyth Castle
There are two castles at Aberystwyth. The first lies on top
of a rise two miles to the south of the present castle and was built by
the Clares before 1116 when it was unsuccessfully attacked by the Welsh
under Prince Gruffydd ap Rhys.
The main castle lies close to the shore and was built between 1276 and
1289 by Prince Edmund, the brother of King Edward I, using royal forces
and masons. The initial design was not a great success and part
of the outer castle rapidly fell into the sea. The castle was
sacked in 1282 and Master James St George was brought in to bring the
castle up to scratch. He changed the design, making the castle
the concentric fortress we see today. In all the fortification of
Aberystwyth cost over £4,300, less than half that expended on Harlech castle.
Copyright©2010
Paul Martin Remfry
