castle castle welsh medieval fortification castle constructed 13th century campaign conquer saw extensive fighting gilbert descendants native welsh rulers surrounded extensive artificial lakes considered historian elaborate water defences britain occupies acres second largest castle britain famous having introduced concentric castle defences britain large gilbert began work castle following occupation north majority construction occurring years considerable cost project opposed gilbert welsh rival leading site burnt taken royal officials despite gilbert successfully completed castle took control region core including castle luxurious accommodation built central island surrounding artificial lakes design gilbert probably derived dams lakes fortified island west provided additional protection concentric rings walls inspired edward castles proved historian termed turning point history castle britain castle attacked revolt uprising overthrow late 15th century fell decline 16th century lakes drained away walls robbed stone acquired property fourth extensive restoration took place castle grounds given state water defences flooded 21st century welsh heritage agency manages site tourist attraction history 13th century built second half 13th century anglo norman expansion began incursions wales late onwards pushing westwards bases recently occupied england advance marked construction castles creation regional task region given gloucester efforts continued 12th early 13th centuries accompanied extensive fighting anglo norman lords local welsh rulers powerful family acquired continued attempt conquer known red gilbert colour hair inherited family lands opposing native welsh prince taken advantage chaos civil war england rebel barons expand power region allied faction england exchange granted authority local welsh territories region including believed lands power threat allied rebel barons revolt crushed leaving free advance north main base cardiff started construct castle control new gains castle lay basin alongside heart network paths roads adjacent roman fort work began huge pace ditches cut form basic shape castle temporary wooden erected extensive water defences created local stream walls internal buildings built speed forming main castle architect castle precise cost construction unknown modern estimates suggest cost castles huge sum period responded intervening forces outright conflict prevented diplomatic efforts continued building work responded attacking burning site probably destroying temporary defences stores began work following year raising tensions prompting henry send bishops control site solution dispute bishops took possession castle later promised building work temporarily cease negotiations begin following summer february year men seized castle threw bishops soldiers protesting innocence events began work henry readily intervene able lay claim work castle continued additional water defences towers added power declined decades henry son edward invaded wales following dispute prince breaking power edward second campaign resulted death collapse independent welsh rule defences added walls work stopped local disputes remained argued earl following year case brought king resulting temporary royal seizure rebelled english rule major insurrection campaign welsh appear risen introduction taxation considerable popular support morgan led local uprising morgan saw chance regain lands morgan attacked burning half town failed castle spring edward pressed home counter attack putting uprising arresting attacked morgan forces retook region april resulting morgan surrender died end leaving good condition linked small town emerged south large deer park nearby 14th 17th centuries gilbert son called inherited castle died fighting battle young family lands initially placed control crown decision taken inheritance revolt broke anger actions royal administrators caused rise january attacking castle large force men castle attack town destroyed rebellion spread royal army deal situation defeating battle breaking welsh siege castle settled inheritance castle eleanor married royal favourite hugh hugh relationship king expand power region taking lands hugh employed master expand great hall castle including richly carved windows doors edward wife isabella france government forcing king hugh flee west pair stayed castle end october early november leaving escape isabella approaching forces abandoning extensive stores held castle besieged castle force soldiers constable sir hugh son called hugh garrison men inside held march garrison surrendered condition younger hugh pardoned father having executed tensions welsh english persisted outbreak uncertain castle played conflict survived intact castle passed marriage husband earl worcester second husband earl second husband invested heavily castle conducting repairs making suitable use main residence region castle passed earl castle went decline eclipsed fashionable residence cardiff castle gates fell disrepair water defences probably drained away antiquarian visited castle described having wonderful tower hold prisoners ruins surrounded earl castle court castle leased stripped stone extend house causing extensive damage english civil war broke royalist supporters charles parliament predominantly royalist sympathy conflict small fort built overlooking north west site old roman fort uncertain built royalist forces parliamentary army occupied area final months war march fort guns dominated interior castle uncertain deliberately parliament prevent future use fortification towers collapsed 18th century possibly result operation probable deterioration actually result damage caused water defences retreated evidence deliberate destruction having ordered 18th 21st centuries acquired castle took steps protect ruins great grandson immensely rich result family holdings interested medieval period site fully surveyed architect great hall 1870s began process buying properties castle intent clearing town houses built edge site fourth enthusiastic builder commissioned major restoration project stonework carefully repaired recreate missing pieces rebuilt towers carried landscaping work intent eventually flooding lakes thanks decades purchases finally able demolish local houses view castle fifth inherited castle family land john sold family remaining property interests gave castle state lakes flooded final stages restoration work completed 1950s 1960s 21st century castle managed welsh heritage agency tourist attraction castle saw visitors protected scheduled monument grade listed building architecture comprises set eastern defences protected fortifications protected site acres size making second largest britain constructed natural gravel bank local river basin castle walls built pennant sandstone castle architecture famous historically significant castle introduced concentric castle defences britain changing future course country military architecture incorporated huge gatehouse castle featured sophisticated network dams considered historian elaborate water defences britain eastern defences reached outer main gatehouse featured circular towers resting spurred bases design particular castles originally gatehouse reached sequence linked intervening tower destroyed north gatehouse protected substantial towers supported castle stables despite damage dam holds massive structure metres long ending huge wall remains castle mill originally powered water dam survive replica siege engines placed display dam ended tower square fortification designed protect regulating water levels dam called originally accessed led town water defences certainly inspired similar set artificial lakes dams created fought siege seen hand water defences provided particular protection mining undermine castle walls period considered advanced kind britain central island held inner defences roughly square design walled inner middle ward inner ward protected turrets corners walls inner ward overlooked middle ward producing concentric defence enclosed rings walls medieval period walls middle ward higher today forming substantial defence concentric castle britain pre dating edward famous programme concentric castles years design influenced design edward later castles historian considers turning point history castle britain probable caused south east tower lean angle degrees access central island occurred pair eastern castle based gatehouse built reinforced trend gatehouse design england wales termed gatehouse fortification exterior interior defences enabling defended perimeter castle breached huge towers flanked gatehouse entrance protected murder holes substantial size gatehouse allowed accommodation defence comfortably equipped grand scale probably use castle constable family pair protected west inside inner ward castle great hall accommodation built fashionable high status accommodation similar built time castle medieval period great hall subdivided wooden screens colourful decorations rich detailed carving warmed large central fireplace carved medieval shape male female heads survive hall today possibly depicting royal court including isabella france east great hall castle chapel positioned west hall castle private apartments solar blocks luxurious fittings central island probably reached island called welsh meaning people fort town protection conflicts north west site roman fort acres remains 17th century civil war fortification built location popular culture long running british television doctor chose filming location episodes including occasion producers residential quarters gallery filming dungeon fictional
Caerphilly Castle