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Ruthin Castle

A 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.

Ruthin Castle Key Facts
County	Denbighshire (4 castles)
Directions	The castle is located with the town of Ruthin, about 24 miles east of Chester
Categories	Stone
Remains	Small amount survives
Access to site	Only open at certain times
TimeRef Comments
Now part of a hotel complex.

Year	Month	Event
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.