The History of Caergwrle Castle

The history of any castle is very closely linked to the political and military situation of its time, and Caegwrle is no exception. So before embarking in a discussion of the castle history we must look further afield and consider Wales at the end of the 13th century. For most of the 13th century, the principality of Gwynedd reigned supreme in Wales. Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, Prince of Gwynedd, through careful alliance with other Welsh Princes, controlled most of Wales in 1255.

Gwynedd’s strength however, was closely allied to the English weakness; the accession of Edward I to the English throne in 1272 was to have fatal consequences for Gwynedd’s independence.
Dafydd ap Gruffudd, brother of Llywelyn Prince of Gwynedd, was an important figure in the history of Caergwrle Castle. Dafydd had been prevented from inheriting part of Gwynedd by Llywelyn and was imprisoned by him in 1255. Dafydd fled to England in an attempt to persuade Henry III to kill his brother. The King refused and the plan failed.

Edward I was now King and Llywelyn was very unpopular in England at the time because he refused to accept Edward I as the King. This resulted in Edward invading Wales in 1276. Dafydd then joined forces with the English and his brother Llywelyn, starved and surrounded was forced to surrender. The treaty of Aberconwy in 1277 stripped him of most of his territory outside Gwynedd, although he was left with the honorific title, Prince of Wales. Dafydd was rewarded for his assistance but not with ownership of Gwynedd as he may have hoped but the Lordship of Hope and a sum of 100 Marks with which he was instructed to put towards the building of a castle in the village of Hope. This was the last Welsh stone castle ever to be built. On the 21st of March in 1282 Dafydd changed sides and attacked the English at Hawarden Castle. This was followed by unsuccessful attempts to take Flint and Rhuddlan castles. The Welsh revolted and Llywelyn joined in. Edward I invaded Wales again! When the English invaded Edward I army found that Dafydd had partially dismantled his own castle and fled. Dafydd and Llywelyn had very little chance against Edwards forces. Llywelyn was killed in December 1282 and his head was sent to Edward I. Daffydd was captured and was hanged drawn and quartered for high treason. Caergwrle Castle was now in English hands. Edward rebuilt it adding internal timber buildings. These included a Chapel and a Chamber over the gate. On the 14th of February the King granted the castle to Queen Eleanor. However the Castle was damaged by fire on the 27th of August 1283. It is believed the lives of the King and the Queen were possibly endangered, as they happened to be in residence at the time. It is very doubtful that the Caergwrle castle was ever repaired after this incident as a visitor in 1335 found “Only a place called the Castle of Hope, whose walls and towers are largely thrown down and there is no housing there.” Small wonder then, that the castle we see today is less than impressive.