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  1. Home
  2. Medieval Places
  3. Cardiff Castle
Castle
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Cardiff Castle

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 County

Cardiff, Wales (1 castle) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey / Stone / Shell Keep

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location51.4819,-3.1817 (Google Maps)
///tennis.runner.export
 DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County

Cardiff, Wales (1 castle) 

 Categories

Motte & Bailey / Stone / Shell Keep

 Remains

Not complete but much survives

 Access

Only open at certain times

 Location
51.4819,-3.1817
///tennis.runner.export
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
ardiff Castle was originally a Roman fort. The Normans created a motte and bailey style castle on the same site in around 1080 or 1090. Robert Fitzhamon was responsible for the castle's construction at this time. Robert Curthose was captured by his elder brother, Henry I King of England, and imprisoned at Cardiff Castle where he died in 1134. In 1158 the Welsh leader Ifor Bach attacked the castle and kidnapped William Fitzcount, the Lord of Glamorgan, along with his family. Ifor Bach demanded the return of land that had been taken from him before releasing the Lord. The wooden castle was replaced with stone by Robert the Consul during the twelfth century. Robert built a shell keep at the top of the motte which still survives. The de Clare family had control of the castle during the thirteenth century and under the leadership of Gilbert de Clare improved the defences ever further. The Despenser family took control of the castle in early years of the fourteenth century. It was during this period that the castle was attacked by the Welsh in the uprising led by Owain Glyndwr. Later the Earls of Warwick took ownership of the castle..

Location

See Also

People

  • Robert (II, Duke of Normandy 1087-1106)
  • Glyndwr, Owain
  • A .. Z List of Medieval People

Related Information

  • Why build and live in castles
  • Castle development timeline
  • Keep and bailey castles
  • Castles of William the Conqueror
  • Motte and bailey castles
  • Shell-Keeps
  • Square keeps
  • Polygonal Keeps
  • Castles of Edward I
  • Parts of a castle
  • Location of lots of castles
  • Castle construction timeline

Related Maps

  • Map of Castles

Related Episodes

Norman Conquest (click here)

Norman Conquest (click here)

Glendowers Revolt (click here)

Glendowers Revolt (click here)

Timeline

1081

...

Cardiff Castle construction

William the Conqueror may have ordered the creation of a castle at Cardiff during his tour of Southern Wales. The first castle on the site would have been a motte and bailey type and it was built on the site of existing Roman fortifications. ¹

1134

...

Death of Robert Curthose

Robert Curthose, William the Conqueror's eldest son, died in captivity in Cardiff Castle where he had been locked up since being defeated by his brother in 1106. Robert was buried in Gloucester Cathedral where there is an effigy of him still.

1158

...

Cardiff Castle attack

Welsh leader Ifor Bach attacked the castle and kidnapped William Fitzcount, the Lord of Glamorgan, along with his family. ¹

1404

...

Cardiff sacked by Glyndwr

Owain Glyndwr attacked and captured the town of Cardiff and its castle. ¹

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Selection of references used:

  • 1. Mike Salter, Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower, ISBN:1-871731-61-5
  • 2. John Kinross, Discovering Castles in England and Wales

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    Location

    See Also

    People

    • Robert (II, Duke of Normandy 1087-1106)
    • Glyndwr, Owain
    • A .. Z List of Medieval People

    Related Information

    • Why build and live in castles
    • Castle development timeline
    • Keep and bailey castles
    • Castles of William the Conqueror
    • Motte and bailey castles
    • Shell-Keeps
    • Square keeps
    • Polygonal Keeps
    • Castles of Edward I
    • Parts of a castle
    • Location of lots of castles
    • Castle construction timeline

    Related Maps

    • Map of Castles

    Medieval Heraldry

    Learn about medieval shield design.

    Design your own medieval Coat of Arms.

    Explore the White Tower

    Explore four floors of the keep at the Tower of London.

     

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    Early Access to the TimeRef card-based Adventure Game.

     

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    Explore the medieval town.

     

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    Explore the medieval village.

     

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    Explore the medieval abbey.

     

    Medieval Theatre - Early Access

    Explore the medieval theatre.

     

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