welsh castle near pennant wales constructed stone castle intended maintain authority local people defend south west war edward england resulted death grandson fell english forces edward expanded castle established small town welsh leader mounted major revolt castle besieged apparently burnt edward repair ruined today hands operated tourist attraction history built rocky overlooking near pennant traditionally welsh princes constructed castles instead palaces called courts late 11th century onwards advanced wales taking lands north establishing band occupied territory south called 12th century timber castles began built small numbers initially controlled grew powerful course reign extending influence wales early years 13th century faced challenges including dealing threat kings england maintaining authority native welsh took control neighbouring son previously placed power father son fallen prince began build castle intent controlling local population securing new south west border included mountain trade routes stone castles built initial castle consisted towers positioned courtyard situated rocky near following death power declined eastern lands taken england grandson took power imprisoned brother extending power wales extended castle additional tower south similar built probably order provide additional accommodation conflict welsh princes english kings continued reign fought final campaign edward ending prince death near december brother assumed power forced south forces command marched south wales placing siege taking april edward deployed troops finally captured executed october team command master engineer left conduct unspecified work english army left edward continued invest money time visited times establishing small town alongside castle possibly east walter appointed constable castle edward spent building new chamber potentially king use visits spent year following revolt pair linking walls south tower probably built time external gate towers built time welsh leader mounted major revolt wales earl ordered mid october ensure castle secure late october castle siege forces castle constable sent lead relief expedition final fate uncertain probably taken welsh forces late subsequently burnt century following revolt new english town abandoned castle situated unlike new coastal castles built edward sea result fit plan controlling 16th century castle state decay welsh poet observed banks river stood large strong building destroyed cast ground years site finally cleared 1850s revealing castle remains owner site carried archaeological investigations private owner ruins placed state 21st century site care protected scheduled monument maintained tourist attraction light welsh political changes history similar welsh castles increasing prominent response noted intend increased priority communicating history castles welsh princes architecture today ruins stand rocky protective ditches cut stone south east sides entrance castle lies west probably built edward contains overlooking stone steps approaching inner gate castle courtyard containing large remains internal buildings uncertain date north tower shaped design characteristic welsh castles early 13th century originally contained hall chapel today middle tower originally southernmost defences leads ditch yard south tower design contained accommodation towers lacked main chambers instead central heat rooms unusually early welsh castle evidence decorative sculpture including statues soldiers having built castle decorative floor tiles castle display features considers castle delivered finest stone carving thirteenth century wales
Castell y Bere