Aberystwyth Castle

Aberystwyth Castle (Castell Aberystwyth) is an Edwardian fortress located in Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, Mid Wales that was built during the First Welsh War in the late 13th century. It was begun during Edward I's first Welsh campaign at the same time as work started at Flint, Rhuddlan and Builth Wells.

Construction
Building work started in 1277. The inner ward was built in a diamond-shaped concentric castle, with a twin D-shaped gatehouse keep with mural towers at each corner. The outer ward consisted of twin D-shaped gatehouse, a barbican, a rock-cut ditch and a large curtain wall with towers.

History
Marcher lord Gilbert de Clare built a Motte and bailey castle a mile south of the current site in c.1110. It was called Castell Tan-y-castell, Aberrheidol Castle and Old Aberystwyth. The earth and timber castle was later reinforced with stone. The castle was captured by Owain Gwynedd in 1136 before changing hands at least three more times before being captured by Llywelyn the Great in 1221. The Welsh prince razed this castle and rebuilt another one in its place.

Aberystwyth Castle was not complete when the Welsh briefly captured and burned it in 1282. Later work was overseen by Master Mason James of St George. Construction ceased in 1289. The castle was subjected to a lengthy siege during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn in 1294-5.

By 1307 a borough was thriving outside the castle walls in a town that was called in Welsh, Llanbadarn Gaerog (Fortified Llanbadarn). However historical accounts suggest that the castle had already begun to fall into disrepair by 1343.

During the national uprising led by Owain Glyndŵr, the Welsh took possession of the castle in 1404. But the English soon recaptured the castle by 1408. In 1637 Aberystwyth Castle was designated as a Royal mint by Charles I which made silver shillings. The mint's operator raised a regiment of Royalist soldiers during the English Civil War. Oliver Cromwell slighted the castle in 1649.

Present day
The castle is open to the public. It is managed by Aberystwyth Town Council.