Published Booklets on Glamorganshire Castles

Oystermouth Castle, 1066 to 1326 (ISBN 1-899376-16-X) [1995] deals with the Norman arrival in Gower and Glamorgan and the activities of the London family after the battle of Mynydd Carn. The Londons, as sub-tenants, were probably responsible for much of the extensive masonry remains including a great tower, numerous dwellings and a much destroyed twin-towered gatehouse. These lie on top of an older and previously unrecognised castle ringwork. The castle is first mentioned in 1116 when it was abandoned to the Welsh and destroyed. After its rebuilding the castle played some part in the campaigns leading to the battles of Lougher and Kidwelly. Subsequently it remained in London hands until 1216 when its last lord died, probably defending the castle or the surrounding district. Subsequently the fortress passed through many hands, eventually coming to a cadet branch of the Braose family. Much building and rebuilding was done at the eminently picturesque Oystermouth castle in the Victorian era. 

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Ogmore Castle, 1066 to 1283 (ISBN 1-899376-17-8) [1995] looks once more at the early Norman penetration of South East Wales with special reference to the doings of the London family at Ewenny and Ogmore. The final campaigns of the Welsh kings of the district and the battles on the Rhymni and Camddwr are also examined, together with the doings of the London family in Glamorgan and their Chaworth successors. The fortress at Ogmore probably slightly pre-dates its brother castle at Oystermouth, though it is now much more ruined. Ogmore castle with its great keep and expanded ringwork masonry defences is studied in detail and a possible site reversal and late additions explored.

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