TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emporers of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
    Family Trees
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times
    Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development
    Early Fortifications Motte and bailey Castles Square Keeps Castle of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle
    Locations of over 300 Castles
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings 3D Virtual Reconstructions Maps Photographs
    Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
  • More
    Glossary of Terms
    Games
    Copyright / About TimeRef.com Contact the Author
TimeRef.com
  • Episodes
    Episode Index
    Key Dates Timelines
    By Category
    This day in history
  • People
    A..Z List of Medieval People
    Kings and Queens of England Kings of Scotland Kings of France Kings of Denmark Emporers of Byzantine Popes and Antipopes Crusader States and their Rulers
    Family Trees
  • Life
    Life in Medieval Times
    Life in a Castle The Feudal System Country Life and Agriculture Life in a Medieval Town Life in a Religious Community
  • Castles
    Castle Index Page Castle Development
    Early Fortifications Motte and bailey Castles Square Keeps Castle of William the Conqueror Concentric Castles Castles of Edward I
    Castle Siege Tactics Parts of a Castle
    Locations of over 300 Castles
  • Places
    A..Z list of Medieval Buildings 3D Virtual Reconstructions Maps Photographs
    Abbeys and Monasteries Cathedrals Medieval Architecture
  • More
    Glossary of Terms
    Games
    Copyright / About TimeRef.com Contact the Author
Location
Location
Please note that the TimeRef website is currently being redesigned.

Ruthin Castle

 CountyDenbighshire (4 castles)  CategoriesStone
 RemainsSmall amount survives AccessOnly open at certain times
 CommentsNow part of a hotel complex.
 Location53.11197,-3.310147 DirectionsDirections via Google Maps
 County
Denbighshire (4 castles) 
 Categories
Stone
 Remains
Small amount survives
 Access
Only open at certain times
 Comments
Now part of a hotel complex.
 Location
53.11197,-3.310147
 Directions
Directions via Google Maps
stone castle was built at Ruthin on a sandstone ridge overlooking an important crossing of the River Clwyd. The castle consisted of two wards, an upper and lower. The upper ward was the main ward of the castle and had five sides with round towers at four of the corners and a double towered gatehouse. The lower ward was rectangular in shape and had drum towers at its corners. It had its own entrance. A deep moat was dug between the two wards. In 1277 Edward I granted the castle to Dafydd ap Gruffydd, brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Prince of Wales who rebelled against the King. Dafydd and his brother had their differences and Dafydd changed his alligence several times. It was as a result of Dafydd's supporting Edward against his brother that led to him receiving Ruthin Castle from the English King. In 1282 Dafydd and his brother were reunited and attacked Edward's interests in north Wales. Dafydd was captured and executed. The castle then was granted to the Reginald, a member of the Grey family. Reginald employed Edward's master castle builder, James of St. George to make improvements at Ruthin.

Location Map

Timeline

1277
...
Dafydd granted Ruthin Castle

King Edward I of England granted Ruthin to Dafydd, the brother of Prince Llewelyn ap Gruffudd in return for his help against his brother who have been attacking English interests in the north of Wales. Construction of Ruthin Castle may have begun under the direction of Edward or Dafydd himself.

1282
...
Lordship Marcher of Dyffryn Clwyd

When Dafydd ap Gruffyd rebelled against King Edward the Welsh area Dyffryn Clwyd became was granted to Reginald de Grey as a Marcher Lordship. Reginald was granted the castle at Ruthin.

Explore a virtual UK

If you are Using Edge, Chrome Or Firefox, Explore a virtual UK Landscape

View this page on a desktop computer to explore a virtual UK landscape.

See Also

People

  • Edward (I, King of England 1272-1307)
  • Gruffydd, Dafydd ap (Welsh Prince)
  • James (of St George's)
  • 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

^ Back to top

          x-small

          small

          medium

          large

          x-large

          x-x-large

          This popup will contain more information
          This popup will contain more information
          xyz
          xyz