Castell y Bere
Photo © Necrothesp, 8 March 2006
Castell y Bere - The main courtyard
Photo © Necrothesp, 8 March 2006
Castell y Bere Photo © Necrothesp, 8 March 2006 |
Castell y Bere - The main courtyard Photo © Necrothesp, 8 March 2006 |
Castell y Bere (Welsh: Castell y Bere) is a native Welsh castle near Llanfihangel-y-pennant,Gwynedd, Wales.
Castell y Bere was built by Llewellyn the Great around 1221 on a lozenge-shaped rocky hillock in the Dysynni Valley near Cadair Idris. The castle is composed of two D-shaped Welsh towers and a rectangular tower at the highest point of the site. One of the towers would have contained a chapel. The D-shaped tower is a distinct feature of native Welsh castles. A similar tower was built by Llywelyn the Last at Ewloe Castle forty years later. The castle's design was dictated by its high, narrow location. Access was protected by a wall, ditches, gateway and drawbridges.
Castell y Bere was built by Llewellyn the Great to protect the mountain trade routes between the Kingdom of Gwynedd and Powys Wenwynwyn and Deheubarth. But following the invasion of Wales by Edward I in 1277, the castle was besieged in April 1283 by English forces. Dafydd ap Gruffydd had retreated to Castell y Bere after the capture of Dolwyddelan Castle in January 1283. The Welsh prince escaped but the castle's constable, Cynfrig ap Madog, was forced to surrender after agreeing terms.
It's strategic position meant that after its capture, Edward I ordered the castle be refortified and garrisoned. A small town was then encouraged to develop around its base. In September 1294, forces belonging to Welsh leader Madoc ap Llywelyn laid siege to Castell y Bere. On 18 October an English relief expedition failed to reach the castle. A further attempt was made on 27 October. The revolt was crushed in 1295. The uprising seriously damaged the castle. An archaeological survey in the 1950s showed evidence that all the buildings within the castle's inner courtyard had been burned in the late 13th century. After the revolt the castle and the new English settlement were both abandoned. Neither were ever used again.
Today the site of Castell y Bere is a ruin. However the outline of the castle, its towers, curtain wall and gateways are clearly visible. It is now in the care of Cadw.
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