A List of Castles operational in Wales and the Marches, 1042 to 1307
This list is intended to give an idea of the number of castles operational in the counties of Wales and the Marches (Chester, Shropshire, Hereford and Gloucester) from the reign of Edward the Confessor to Edward I. The data presented here is taken from my own research and gives my own personal view. Undoubtedly there were many more castles operational than are listed here, for which documentary evidence exists, or is likely due to the history of the barony associated with the castle. I have tried to err on the side of caution, though I have added many sites as 'probably' active during the reign. These sites appear with a question mark in the lists and in brackets in the table. Please feel free to contact me with any further castles you may have evidence for being active in this period.
New castles or major reconstructions during the reign are marked with an astrix * and where possible a date. The letter d before a date means destroyed.
Observations
The table at the end of the list suggests some interesting trends. Firstly it must be noted that the apparently insignificant numbers of castles in the earliest reigns is undoubtedly due to the paucity of records during the eleventh century. From the reign of King Henry II record keeping improved dramatically, with King John giving a great impetus to literacy. This must always be borne in mind when the numbers of 'active' castles in a reign increases dramatically. King Henry II is said, not unreasonably, to have destroyed 1,114 castles on his coming to the throne of England in 1154, yet the number of known castles during his reign increases dramatically over Stephen's when a great amount of castle building went on. Is this apparent increase due only to better record keeping? Similarly the ninety years of kings Henry III and Edward show castle numbers apparently static, despite the great new castles built by Edward I. One castle often replaced another or made some obsolete.
The county tables too show interesting trends. During the reign of King William I, West Wales appears to have been left unfortified, although there is a possibility of unrecorded building activity in Caernarvonshire. Penetrations in South Wales, however, can clearly be seen. During the reign of Rufus this process is reversed with much activity in North and West Wales. During the reign of Henry I the situation stabilizes with a firm occupation of South and East Wales. In Welsh Wales (pura Wallia), however, Welsh castle building is already beginning with fortresses at Powis (1111) and Cymer (1116). No doubt others were also built in this period in Gwynedd. Certainly Caernarfon castle was still fortified by the princes of Gwynedd fifty years later. During the Anarchy of King Stephen's reign many more castles are mentioned, usually when they are destroyed. Although there is no documentary evidence, many if not all of these castles were probably standing during the settled period of the reign King Henry I, although many new castles were also built during the disturbed Anarchy of 1135-54. As a final point towards the fragility of these figures it should be noted that at the best of times documentary evidence mentions no more than a third of the castles that probably existed in a county during the time period 1066 to 1307.
Edward the Confessor, 1042 to 1066
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 8, possibly 11.
Herefordshire (6, pos.8)
Ewias Harold*
Longtown*, 1055
Mouse Castle*?
Thruxton*?
Worcestershire (1)
Radnorshire (pos.1)
Presteigne?
Shropshire (1)
William the Conqueror, 1066 to 1087
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 26, possibly 46.
Brycheiniog (pos.2)
Bwlch y Dinas*, 1070?
Hay*, 1070?
Cheshire (1)
Chester*, 1070
Denbigh (pos.1)
Tomen y Faerdre?
Flint (1)
Rhuddlan*, 1073
Glamorgan (1, pos.2)
Cardiff*, 1081
Swansea*?, 1081?
Gloucester (3)
Berkeley*, 1070
Bristol*
Gloucester*
Gwent (3, pos.5)
Caerleon*?
Chepstow*, 1070
Grosmont*?
Monmouth*, 1070
Hereford (10, pos.15)
Clifford*, 1070
Cusop*?
Downton of the Rock*
Eardisley*
Ewias Harold*, 1070
Huntington*, 1070?
Lingen*?
Walford*?
Walterstone*?
Wigmore*, 1070
Welsh Wood*
Meirionydd (1, pos.2)
Bala?
Rug
Montgomery (1, pos.3)
Llandinam?
Montgomery, Hen Domen
Newtown, Gro?
Pembroke (1)
St David’s*, 1081
Radnor (pos.4)
Clyro?
Pilleth?
Presteigne?
Shropshire (4, pos.6)
Clun?
Holdgate*
Oswestry*, 1086
Quatford*
Shrewsbury*, 1069
William Rufus, 1087 to 1100
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 42, possibly 63
Anglesey (1)
Aberlleiniog*, d.1094
Brycheiniog (4, pos.8)
Brecon*, 1093
Builth*, 1093?
Crickhowell?
Pencelli*?
Caernarfon (1, pos.5)
Aber?
Caernarfon*, d.1094?
Dinas Emrys*, d.1094?
Dolwyddelan I*, d.1094?
Cardigan (1, pos.2)
Aberystwyth*, 1093?
Cardigan*, 1093
Carmarthen (1, pos.2)
Carmarthen*, 1093
Llandovery*, 1093?
Cheshire (2)
Malpas
Flint (1)
Glamorgan (2)
Gloucester (3, pos.4)
Bristol
Gloucester
Gwent (4, pos.6)
Caerleon
Monmouth
Newport I?
Hereford (9, pos.12)
Cusop?
Downton of the Rock
Eardisley
Ewias Harold
Kington*?
Meirionydd (1, pos.3)
Bala?
Rug
Tomen y Mur*, 1095?
Montgomery (1)
Montgomery, Hen Domen
Pembroke (1)
Pembroke*, 1093
Radnor (4, pos.5)
Colwyn*, 1093
Cymaron*, 1093
Dinieithon*, 1093
Presteigne?
Shropshire (6, pos.8)
Caus?
Holdgate
Ludlow*?
Quatford, d.1101
Shrewsbury
Henry I, 1100 to 1135
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 84, possibly 86
Brycheiniog (7)
Crickhowell
Caernarvon (1)
Cardigan (11)
Aberystwyth*, 1110
Blaenporth
Caerwedros
Cardigan*, 1110
Castell Gwallter
Dinerth
Lampeter
Llandysul
Llanryhstyd
Ystrad Meurig
Ystrad Peithyl, d.1116
Carmarthen (4)
Llanfihangel Abercywyn
Llandovery
Cheshire (2)
Malpas
Flint (1)
Glamorgan (8)
Coity
Neath
Newcastle Bridgend
Oystermouth, d.1136
Talybont
Gloucester (4)
Bristol
Gloucester
Gwent (6)
Caerleon
Monmouth
Hereford (17)
Cusop
Downton of the Rock
Eardisley
Ewias Harold
Hereford
Kilpeck
Orcop
Snodhill*
Weobley
Meirionydd (2)
Cymer*, 1116, d.1116
Montgomery (3)
Carreghova*, 1101
Montgomery, Hen Domen
Powis*, 1111
Pembroke (5)
Cilgerran*, 1108
Letterston
Radnor (5, pos.6)
Bleddfa
Cymaron, d.1134
Presteigne?
Shropshire (7, pos.9)
Caus?
Holdgate
Oldbury, Panpudding Hill*, 1102
Shrewsbury
Stephen, 1135 to 1154
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 119, possibly 132
Brycheiniog (9, pos.10)
Bronllys*, 1144
Crickhowell
Waynard’s Castle, d.1144?
Cardigan (9)
Caerwedros
Cardigan
Castell Gwallter
Dinerth
Lampeter
Llandysul
Llanryhstyd
Ystrad Meurig
Carmarthen (7)
Dinefwr*, 1146
Llandovery
St Clears
Cheshire (2)
Malpas
Denbigh (2, pos.3)
Tomen y Rhodwydd*, 1149
Flint (3)
Overton
Glamorgan (7)
Coity
Loughor
Newcastle Bridgend
Talybont
Gloucester (15, pos.17)
Brimpsfield
Brimpsfield siege castle*?
Bristol
Cirencester
Dursley
Dymock
Gloucester
Hailes
Lydney
Miserden
South Cerney
Sudeley
Tetbury
Tewkesbury
Winchcombe?
Gwent (9, pos.12)
Caerleon
Dingestow I?
Dinham?
Monmouth
Herefordshire (23, pos.28)
Aston*?
Bacton
Cusop?
Downton of the Rock
Eardisley
Ewias Harold
Hereford siege castle*, 1140
Kilpeck
Much Marcle
Orcop
Shobdon
Snodhill
Weobley
Meirionydd (1)
Cynfal*, 1147, d.1147
Montgomery (2)
Carreghova
Montgomery, Hen Domen
Pembroke (6)
Letterston
Nevern
Radnor (6, pos.7)
Diniethon?
Colwyn*, 1144
Cymaron*, 1144
Presteigne
Shropshire (18)
Bridgnorth
Bishop’s Castle
Bryn Amlwg
Caus
Cleobury Mortimer
Corfham
Ellesmere
Holdgate
Ludlow 2 siege castles*, 1139
Shrawdine
Shrewsbury
Wattlesborough
Henry II, 1154 to 1189
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 153, possibly 156
Brycheiniog (9)
Builth, d.1168
Crickhowell
Llanddew
Caernarfon (2)
Cardigan (7)
Abereinon
Cardigan*, 1171
Dinerth
Llandysul
Llanryhstyd
Ystrad Meurig
Carmarthen (7)
Llandovery
St Clears
Cheshire (6)
Dunham Massey
Halton
Malpas
Stockport
Ullenwood/Uttersford
Denbigh (4)
Tomen y Rhodwydd, d.1157
Wrexham
Flint (5, pos.6)
Basingwerk
Overton
Prestatyn*
Glamorgan (13)
Aberavan
Briton Ferry
Coity
Dinas Powis
Kenfig
Loughor
Neath
Newcastle Bridgend
Talybont
Gloucestershire (6)
Berkeley*, 1154?
Brimpsfield
Bristol
Gloucester
Miserden
Gwent (14)
Caerleon
Castell Arnault, d.1175
Dingestow II*, 1182
Llanfair Discoed
Monmouth
Newport
Rumney
Herefordshire (28)
Almeley
Bacton
Bredwardine
Castle Frome
Eardisley
Ewias Harold
Kilpeck
Longtown*, 1186
Lyonshall
Much Marcle
Snodhill
Staunton on Arrow
Weobley
Wigmore, 2 siege castles, 1155?
Meirionydd (2)
Deudraeth*, bef.1188
Rug (Edeirnion)*, 1160
Montgomery (7)
Carreghova
Castell Caereinion*, 1156, d.1167
Ceri
Mathrafal
Montgomery, Hen Domen
Tafolwern
Pembroke (8)
Cilgerran
Haverfordwest
Nevern
Radnor (9, pos.10)
Bleddfa
Buddugre
Crug Eryr
Diniethon?
Knighton
Llansantffraid Cwmdeuddwr*, 1177
Presteigne
Shropshire (26, pos.28)
Alberbury
Bishop’s Castle
Bridgnorth
Bryn Amlwg
Caus
Church Stretton*, 1156
Cleobury Mortimer, d.1155
Corfham
Ellesmere
Hodnet
Holdgate
Knockin
Pulverbatch
Ruyton XI
Shrawdine
Shrewsbury
Smethcott
Stapleton
Wattlesborough
Wem
Wilderley Hall?
Richard I, 1189 to 1199
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 134, possibly 137
Brycheiniog (8)
Crickhowell
Llanddew
Caernarfon (2)
Cardigan (4)
Cardigan
Dinerth
Ystrad Meurig
Carmarthen (8)
Kidwelly*, 1190
Llandovery
St Clears
Cheshire (4)
Malpas
Northwich
Pulford
Denbigh (2)
Flint (3)
Overton
Glamorgan (14)
Aberavan
Briton Ferry
Cadwallon’s Castle
Coity
Dinas Powis
Kenfig
Loughor
Neath
Newcastle Bridgend
Talybont
Gloucestershire (6)
Brimpsfield
Bristol
Gloucester
Miserden
Gwent (11)
Caerleon
Llanfair Discoed
Monmouth
Newport
Skenfrith*, 1187
White Castle*, 1185-7
Herefordshire (22, pos.23)
Almeley
Bredwardine
Eardisley
Ewias Harold
Kilpeck
Lingen?
Lyonshall
Much Marcle
Snodhill
Weobley
Meirionydd (2, pos.3)
Bala?
Rug
Montgomery (4)
Carreghova*, 1195
Mathrafal*, 1195
Montgomery, Hen Domen
Pembroke (8)
Cilgerran
Haverfordwest
Llawhaden, d.1193
Nevern, d.1194
Radnor (11)
Bleddfa
Colwyn*, 1195, d.1196
Knighton
Llansantffraid Cwmdeuddwr*, 1194, d.1194
Norton
Painscastle*, 1195
Presteigne
Radnor*, 1195, d.1196
Tomen Castle
Shropshire (25, pos.26)
Alberbury
Bishop’s Castle
Bridgnorth
Bryn Amlwg
Caus
Church Stretton
Corfham
Ellesmere
Hodnet
Holdgate
Knockin
Pulverbatch
Ruyton XI
Shrawdine
Shrewsbury
Smethcott
Stapleton
Wattlesborough
Wem
Wilderley Hall?
John, 1199 to 1216
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 152, possibly 155
Brycheiniog (9)
Blaenllyfni*, 1207
Builth*, 1210
Crickhowell
Llanddew
Caernarfon (3)
Cardigan (4)
Aberystwyth*, 1211
Cardigan
Dinerth, d.1208
Ystrad Meurig, d.1208
Carmarthen (11)
Llandovery
Llanegwad
Llanelly
Llangadock
Llech Owain
St Clears
Cheshire (5)
Malpas
Nantwich
Northwich
Pulford
Denbigh (3)
Tomen y Rhodwydd*, 1212
Flint (5)
Basingwerk
Overton
Glamorgan (14)
Aberavan
Briton Ferry
Coity
Dinas Powis
Kenfig
Llangewydd
Loughor
Neath
Newcastle Bridgend
Oystermouth, d.1215
Talybont
Gloucestershire (8)
Brimpsfield
Bristol
English Bicknor
Gloucester
Miserden
St Briavels*, 1211
Tewkesbury*, 1211
Gwent (11)
Caerleon
Llanfair Discoed
Monmouth
Newport
Herefordshire (25, pos.26)
Almeley
Bredwardine
Dorstone
Eardisley
Ewias Harold
Hereford
Kilpeck
Kington, d.1216
Lingen?
Lyonshall
Much Marcle
Snodhill
Weobley
Meirionydd (3, pos.4)
Bala
Llandderfel
Llanfor
Montgomery (4)
Carreghova, d.1214/5?
Mathrafal, d.1212
Montgomery, Hen Domen, d.1215
Pembroke (11)
Cilgerran
Haverfordwest
Little Newcastle
Maenclochog
Newport*
Radnor (10)
Boughrood
Cymaron, d.1215
Knighton
Norton
Radnor, d.1216
Presteigne
Rhaeadr, d.1202
Shropshire (26, pos.27)
Alberbury
Bishop’s Castle
Bridgnorth
Bryn Amlwg
Caus
Church Stretton
Corfham
Ellesmere
Hodnet
Holdgate
Kinnerley
Knockin
More?
Oswestry, d.1216
Pulverbatch
Ruyton XI
Shrawdine, d.1215
Shrewsbury
Smethcott
Stapleton
Wattlesborough
Wem
Whittington d.1215
Wilderley Hall, d.by 1204
Henry III, 1216 to 1272
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 192, possibly 197
Brycheiniog (13, pos.17)
Aberyscir?
Builth, d.1229, *1242, d.1260
Crickhowell
Llanddew
Madog’s Castle I?
Madog’s Castle II*?
Scethrog?
Sennybridge*, 1265?
Ystradfellte
Caernarfon (5, pos.6)
Aber?
Cardigan (5)
Cardigan*, 1240
Llanilar*, 1242
Nant-yr-Arian
Trefilan*, 1233
Carmarthen (10)
Carmarthen*, 1223
Llandovery
Newcastle Emlyn*
St Clears
Cheshire (9)
Beeston*, 1225
Chester*, 1247-51
Halton
Malpas
Nantwich
Northwich
Pulford
Shocklach
Shotwick
Denbigh (2)
Flint (6)
Bryn-y-Cwn*, 1244
Dyserth*, 1241, d.1263
Glamorgan (23)
Aberavan
Baglan
Castell Coch
Castell Mor Graig
Coity
Dinas Powis
Fonmon
Kenfig
Llanblethian
Llangynwyd
Llantrisant
Loughor
Neath
Newcastle Bridgend
Penard
Penmark
Penrice
Talybont
Talavan
Gloucestershire (8)
Beverstone*, 1229
Brimpsfield
Bristol
English Bicknor
Gloucester
Miserden
Gwent (17)
Caerleon
Grosmont*, 1224-26
Llanfair Discoed
Llangibby
Monmouth
Newport
Penhow
Penros
Skenfrith*, 1219-20
Trelleck
Trostrey
White Castle*, 1229-32
Herefordshire (28)
Almeley
Bredwardine
DilwynDorstone
Eardisley
Ewias Harold
Goodrich*, 1262
Hereford
Kilpeck
Lingen
Lyonshall
Much Marcle
Snodhill
Weobley
Wigmore**, 1223, 1265-72
Meirionydd (2)
Castell y Bere*, 1221
Montgomery (9)
Bodyddon, d.1257
Dolforwyn, d.1240
Forden, d.1263
Symond’s Castle*, 1231
Hubert’s Folly*, 1228, d.1228
Montgomery, Hen Domen*
Montgomery*, 1223-5
Tafolwern, d.1244?
Pembroke (11)
Cilgerran*, 1223
Haverfordwest
Maenclochog
Newport
Wiston, d.1220
Wolf’s Castle
Radnor (12)
Bleddfa, d.1262
Boughrood
Bryn-y-Castell*
Cefnllys*, 1242, d.1262
Glasbury, d.1263?
Knighton, d.1262
Knucklas*, 1242
Norton, d.1262
Painscastle*, 1231
Presteigne, d.1262
Radnor, d.1231, * 1233, d.1264
Shropshire (32)
Alberbury
Bishop’s Castle
Bridgnorth
Bryn Amlwg
Caus
Church Stretton, d.by 1255
Corfham
Ellesmere
Hodnet
Holdgate
Kinnerley
Knockin
Marchamley*, 1223
Moele Brace
Minton?
Longnor*, 1235
Pontesbury
Pulverbatch
Ruyton XI
Shrawdine*
Shrewsbury
Smethcott
Stapleton
Wattlesborough
Wem
Weston under Redcastle*, 1227
Whittington*, 1221, 1223
Edward I, 1272 to 1307
No. of castles in Wales and Marches, 192, possibly 197
Anglesey (1)
Beaumaris*, 1295
Brycheiniog (14)
Builth*, 1277
Camlais*
Crickhowell*
Llanddew
Scethrog
Ystradfellte
Caernarfon (5)
Caernarfon*, 1283
Conway*, 1283
Criccieth*, 1283
Dolbadarn, d.1284
Cardigan (2)
Aberystwyth*, 1277
Cardigan
Carmarthen (10)
Carmarthen
Llandovery
Newcastle Emlyn
St Clears
Cheshire (10)
Beeston
Halton
Malpas
Nantwich
Newhall
Northwich
Pulford
Shocklach
Shockwick
Denbigh (5)
Denbigh*, 1282
Holt
Ruthin*, 1277
Flint (6)
Caergwrle*, 1278
Ewloe, d.1277?
Flint*, 1277
Rhuddlan*, 1277
Glamorgan (26)
Baglan
Caerphilly*, 1268-71
Castell Coch
Castell Mor Graig
Coity
Dinas Powis
Fonmon
Kenfig
Llanblethian
Llandaff
Llangynwyd
Llantrisant
Loughor
Morlais*, 1287-90, d.1294
Neath
Newcastle Bridgend
Penard
Penmark
Penrice
St Fagans
Talybont
Talavan
Gloucestershire (7)
Beverstone
Brimpsfield
Bristol
Gloucester
Miserden
St Briavels*, 1292-3
Gwent (17, pos.18)
Caerleon
Llanfair Discoed
Llangibby
Machen
Monmouth
Newport
Penhow
Penros
Trelleck?
Troggy*, 1305
Trostrey
Herefordshire (30)
Almeley
Ashperton*, 1292
Bredwardine
DilwynDorstone
Eardisley
Ewias Harold
Goodrich*, 1292
Hereford
Kilpeck
Lingen
Lyonshall
Moccas*, 1293
Much Marcle
Snodhill
Weobley
Whitney
Meirionydd (3)
Castell y Bere, d.1294
Harlech*, 1285
Montgomery (5)
Dolforwyn*, 1274
Newtown*, 1278
Symond’s Castle
Pembroke (11, pos.15)
Benton?
Cilgerran
Haverfordwest*, 1289-90
Maenclochog
Newport
Picton?
Poyntz?
Upton?
Walwyn’s Castle
Wolf’s Castle
Radnor (8)
Aberedw*, 1284
Boughrood
Cefnllys*, 1273
Shropshire (31)
Alberbury
Bishop’s Castle
Bridgnorth
Bryn Amlwg
Callow Hill, Minsterley
Caus
Corfham
Ellesmere
Hodnet
Holdgate
Knockin
Marchamley
Moele Brace
Pontesbury
Pulverbatch
Ruyton XI
Shrawdine
Shrewsbury
Smethcott
Stapleton
Stokesay*, 1291
Tong
Wattlesborough
Wem
Weston under Redcastle
County
William I
William II
Henry I
Stephen
Henry II
Richard
John
Henry III
Edward I
Total Castles
County
Anglesey
1
1
3
Anglesey
Brecon
(2)
4 (8)
7
9 (10)
9
8
9
13 (17)
14
44
Brecon
Caernarfon
1 (5)
1
2
2
3
5 (6)
5
18
Caernarvon
Cardigan
1 (2)
11
9
7
4
4
5
2
31
Cardigan
Carmarthen
1 (2)
4
7
7
8
11
10
10
42
Carmarthen
Cheshire
1
2
2
2
6
4
5
9
10
23
Cheshire
Denbigh
(1)
2 (3)
4
2
3
2
5
16
Denbigh
Flint
1
1
1
3
5 (6)
3
5
6
6
19
Flint
Glamorgan
1 (2)
2
8
7
13
14
14
23
26
78
Glamorgan
Gloucester
3
3 (4)
4
15 (17)
6
6
8
8
7
32
Gloucester
Gwent
3 (5)
4 (6)
6
9 (12)
14
11
11
17
17 (18)
58
Gwent
Hereford
10 (15)
9 (12)
17
23 (28)
28
22 (23)
25 (26)
28
30
100
Hereford
Meirionydd
1 (2)
1 (3)
2
1
2
2 (3)
3 (4)
2
4
19
Meirionydd
Montgomery
1 (3)
1
3
2
7
4
4
9
5
40
Montgomery
Pembroke
1
1
5
6
8
8
11
11
11 (15)
52
Pembroke
Radnor
(4)
4 (5)
5 (6)
6 (7)
9 (10)
11
10
12
8
44
Radnor
Shropshire
4 (6)
18
8 (9)
18
26 (28)
25 (26)
26 (27)
32
31
108
Shropshire
Total
26 (46)
41 (63)
84 (86)
119 (132)
153 (156)
134 (137)
152 (155)
192 (197)
192 (197)
727
Total
Copyright©1994-2007 Paul Martin Remfry