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Criccieth Castle
The Welsh castle at Criccieth is a marvelous sight to behold, sitting as it does so high and majestic atop a rocky promontory which juts dramatically out into Tremadog Bay. Yet, the site has also stirred up controversy over the years. A combination of Welsh and English remains, there has been much speculation as to which areas of the castle belong to which building periods. Was the inner or outer bailey the original stronghold? Did the Welsh or the English build the castle's most recognizable and dominating feature: the massive twin-towered gatehouse? And did the Welsh or the English construct the fascinating Engine Tower, near the gatehouse, to be used as a powerful platform of death? The dilemma is understandable if one considers the actual structural features at the site relative to its history, a history that encompassed a relatively short time frame but included some very formidable personalities.
Apparently, Criccieth's castle was built at the beginning of the 13th century, a rather late date for initiating a castle at a particular site in Wales. The earliest mention of a stronghold on the craggy outcrop is to be found in the Welsh chronicles, the Brut y Tywysogyon, in the year 1239, when Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (son of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, or "the Great") was imprisoned in the castle by his half-brother, Dafydd. Most likely, Llywelyn the Great began the stone fortress just a few years before his sons' quarrel.
It seems unusual that there are no records or physical indications of an earth and timber castle at the site, or at the very least that the rocky headland had once been worked into a hillfort by Iron Age people, who did populate the region. Indeed, several hillforts still dot the Lleyn Peninsula around Criccieth. So, we must conclude that, for some reason, the promontory increased in value to the Welsh during the early 13th century. Perhaps Llywelyn wanted to augment his power base in North Wales, acknowledging the imminent encroachment of the English into his territory. The placement of a castle at this location would have allowed a Welsh garrison access to supplies by sea, and the fortress could have also served as an early warning post. On a bright, cloudless day, anyone standing on the hilltop could see as far as Snowdonia to the north, along the entire Lleyn Peninsula to the west, and even make out the form of neighboring Harlech Castle to the southeast, across Tremadog Bay. In fact, the view from Criccieth's peak remains spectacular to this day and clearly demonstrates the strategic benefit of the castle's towering position.
Sadly, Criccieth Castle had a brief lifespan, suffering from repeated assaults by the Welsh. Just two years after its completion in 1292, the English stronghold withstood its first siege, from Welsh rebels led by Madog ap Llywelyn. The castle's strategic seaside placement played a key role in the garrison's endurance, allowing access by ships from Ireland which carried vital supplies (including 6000 herrings, 550 large salt fish, 30 quarters of wheat, 27 quarters of beans, 20 pounds of twine for the crossbows, 50 stockings and 45 pairs of shoes, as well as 24 salted pigs and 18 cheeses; references: Robinson, 1989 and Thomas, 1982). The garrison held out for several months, certainly not wanting for sustenance! By the late 1340's the English appointed Sir Hywel ap Gruffydd (also known as Howel of the Battleaxe, for his decisive actions in the service of Edward, the Black Prince, on the field of Crecy) as constable of their castle in Criccieth. This was a great honor for the Welshman, who died in 1381, and for a time quieted the Welsh rebellion.
Twenty three years later, Criccieth Castle was abruptly brought down, never again to be used as a stronghold, when Owain Glyndwr led the last major Welsh rebellion against the English. This time replenishment from the sea was useless, for Glyndwr had the active support of the French navy, which stationed itself in the Irish Sea and prevented the approach of Irish ships. The garrison at Criccieth had no alternative but to surrender. Glyndwr's men tore down the stone walls and burned the castle. Today, remnants of the devastation may be spotted, not only the crumbled towers and curtain wall, but the fire-scarred rock as well.
Criccieth Castle
The Welsh castle at Criccieth is a marvelous sight to behold, sitting as it does so high and majestic atop a rocky promontory which juts dramatically out into Tremadog Bay. Yet, the site has also stirred up controversy over the years. A combination of Welsh and English remains, there has been much speculation as to which areas of the castle belong to which building periods. Was the inner or outer bailey the original stronghold? Did the Welsh or the English build the castle's most recognizable and dominating feature: the massive twin-towered gatehouse? And did the Welsh or the English construct the fascinating Engine Tower, near the gatehouse, to be used as a powerful platform of death? The dilemma is understandable if one considers the actual structural features at the site relative to its history, a history that encompassed a relatively short time frame but included some very formidable personalities.
Apparently, Criccieth's castle was built at the beginning of the 13th century, a rather late date for initiating a castle at a particular site in Wales. The earliest mention of a stronghold on the craggy outcrop is to be found in the Welsh chronicles, the Brut y Tywysogyon, in the year 1239, when Gruffydd ap Llywelyn (son of Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, or "the Great") was imprisoned in the castle by his half-brother, Dafydd. Most likely, Llywelyn the Great began the stone fortress just a few years before his sons' quarrel.
It seems unusual that there are no records or physical indications of an earth and timber castle at the site, or at the very least that the rocky headland had once been worked into a hillfort by Iron Age people, who did populate the region. Indeed, several hillforts still dot the Lleyn Peninsula around Criccieth. So, we must conclude that, for some reason, the promontory increased in value to the Welsh during the early 13th century. Perhaps Llywelyn wanted to augment his power base in North Wales, acknowledging the imminent encroachment of the English into his territory. The placement of a castle at this location would have allowed a Welsh garrison access to supplies by sea, and the fortress could have also served as an early warning post. On a bright, cloudless day, anyone standing on the hilltop could see as far as Snowdonia to the north, along the entire Lleyn Peninsula to the west, and even make out the form of neighboring Harlech Castle to the southeast, across Tremadog Bay. In fact, the view from Criccieth's peak remains spectacular to this day and clearly demonstrates the strategic benefit of the castle's towering position.
Sadly, Criccieth Castle had a brief lifespan, suffering from repeated assaults by the Welsh. Just two years after its completion in 1292, the English stronghold withstood its first siege, from Welsh rebels led by Madog ap Llywelyn. The castle's strategic seaside placement played a key role in the garrison's endurance, allowing access by ships from Ireland which carried vital supplies (including 6000 herrings, 550 large salt fish, 30 quarters of wheat, 27 quarters of beans, 20 pounds of twine for the crossbows, 50 stockings and 45 pairs of shoes, as well as 24 salted pigs and 18 cheeses; references: Robinson, 1989 and Thomas, 1982). The garrison held out for several months, certainly not wanting for sustenance! By the late 1340's the English appointed Sir Hywel ap Gruffydd (also known as Howel of the Battleaxe, for his decisive actions in the service of Edward, the Black Prince, on the field of Crecy) as constable of their castle in Criccieth. This was a great honor for the Welshman, who died in 1381, and for a time quieted the Welsh rebellion.
Twenty three years later, Criccieth Castle was abruptly brought down, never again to be used as a stronghold, when Owain Glyndwr led the last major Welsh rebellion against the English. This time replenishment from the sea was useless, for Glyndwr had the active support of the French navy, which stationed itself in the Irish Sea and prevented the approach of Irish ships. The garrison at Criccieth had no alternative but to surrender. Glyndwr's men tore down the stone walls and burned the castle. Today, remnants of the devastation may be spotted, not only the crumbled towers and curtain wall, but the fire-scarred rock as well.