 The castle underwent a lengthy period of expansion in the late thirteenth century.After the death of the last native prince of Wales, Dafydd ap Gruffudd, in 1283, the castle was one of the few remaining substantial stone castles in Wales to be held by a Welshman; the most prominent surviving Welsh lord, Rhys ap Maredudd, continued to augment the castle's defences.He was allowed by the English to keep his castle as he had shown a more conciliatory attitude towards them than other Welsh lords.