Caerphilly Castle in Glamorgan, South Wales, is arguably the most impressive
non-royal castle in Wales, and stands comparison with even the mightiest
of the castles built by Edward
I after 1276. It was built from 1268 by Red (as he was known after the
fiery colour of his hair) Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester, in an effort
to assert his claim to the disputed territory of upland Glamorgan.
A quick tour of Caerphilly reveals how much had changed since the 12th
century, when keeps or great towers were fashionable. When
castles were laid out from scratch in the 13th century, master masons
and their patrons preferred an 'enclosure' model, which allowed them greater
freedom to experiment with new designs. The hall, the chapel, the kitchens
and stables were now arranged around a courtyard, and all this was surrounded,
or 'enclosed', by a circuit of high walls. A very early example of this
type of castle was built at Framlingham in Suffolk from 1190.
Enclosed and safe
The walls of an enclosure castle were punctuated with strong towers. These
stood taller than the walls themselves in order to allow flanking fire
in all directions against attackers. Throughout the 13th century, there
was a distinct preference for round towers rather than square ones. It
seems clear that 13th-century masons and military experts thought that
this made the towers stronger. For example, the 13th-century masons who
repaired the shattered 12th-century keep of Rochester Castle clearly weren't in the least
bit interested in making it look pretty again - they simply wanted it to
be stronger, and so they replaced the collapsed square tower with a round
one.
Another very important development in the 13th century was the gatehouse,
which grew in size until it started to resemble a keep. From the start
of the century, the gatehouse was formed by building two round towers
either side of the entrance. A larger gatehouse meant there was room for
accommodation above the entrance, which was often used by the constable
of the castle.
Caerphilly also exemplifies the idea of 'concentricity', or having several
lines of defence around the castle. The centre of the castle is protected
by two complete loops of walls, one inside the other. The most striking
element of Caerphilly's defences, however, are the great artificial lakes
which surround it. The deep water of the moat made undermining impossible,
and the wide expanses of water either side of the castle denied would-be
attackers a place to put their trebuchets (catapults).
Flashpoint
As well as being a fascinating castle in its own right, Caerphilly was
one of the main flashpoints for the war which led to the conquest of Wales. Its building from 1268 was
seen as a provocation against Welsh leader Llywelyn
ap Gruffudd, and a challenge to his newly acquired title as prince
of Wales. Llywelyn twice attacked the castle while it was being built,
but failed to gain possession in 1272. Instead, he tried complaining to
Edward I, and miscalculated badly by trying to force the king into action.
Edward's devastating response was to invade and conquer Wales. With the
threat from Llywelyn removed, Caerphilly Castle was used less as a fortress
and more as a centre for control and administration of the de Clare estates
in the Glamorgan uplands.
The Red Earl died in 1295 and the estates passed to his son, also called
Gilbert. Gilbert was killed at the battle of Bannockburn
in 1314, ending the de Clare male line.
In 1317, the de Clare inheritance was partitioned between Earl Gilbert's
three younger sisters. Eleanor de Clare, the eldest, was married to Hugh
Despenser the younger. A favourite of Edward
II, he held the court position of chamberlain. Able to pick which part
of the de Clare estates he wanted he chose the lordship of Glamorgan and
Cardiff, and therefore acquired the castle. Despenser started work on the
great hall at Caerphilly Castle. In 1326 the deeply unpopular Edward II
was forced to
abdicate by his estranged wife and some rebel barons. The king spent some
time taking refuge at Caerphilly with his favourite Despenser before both
were eventually captured. Despenser was executed.
The castle today
From this time on the castle's role as a fortress and as the domestic
residence of a lord declined, with its various owners preferring the more
comfortable surroundings of other properties.
Today the castle is under the care of CADW and is open to the public. Hugh
Despenser's hall is available to hire for weddings.
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