Imposing Caerphilly Castle is a direct result of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd's fight against the English. The Earl of Gloucester, Gilbert de Clare, succesfully completed the castle despite two attacks from the Welsh Prince.
Caerphilly's owners are truly a who's who of British history bringing the castle into frequent disputes with not only the local Welsh, but also factions and infighting within the English court. Gilbert's son, another Gilbert inherited the castle on his father's death. The new Gloucester was killed in the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. He died without issue (despite his wife feigning pregnancy for two full years after his death) so his lands were eventually divided between his three sisters. The eldest Eleanor de Clare was married to now infamous Hugh Despenser, the favorite of Edward II, and inherited this property along with other vast holdings in Wales and the Marches. The castle played a central role in both the Baron's uprising of 1321 and the downfall of Edward and Despenser.
Despite the treason of Hugh Despenser, the castle remained in the family eventually passing to the Warwicks through marriage. The mighty Richard Neville, better known as the Kingmaker, possessed the castle during the War of Roses. Jasper Tudor then took possession when his nephew defeated Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth and was crowned Henry VII. Jasper's father was a Welshman, Owen Tudor, who covertly married Catherine of Valois, the dowager queen.
Jasper died without issue and the castle began its decline in favor of the more luxurious Cardiff Castle. In the 16th century, a sluicegate deteriorated to the point that the water defenses drained away. This caused subsidence that likely undermined the foundations causing several towers to collapse. There are no known orders to slight the castle and the damage was more likely due to decay or possible damage during the English Civil War. These factors are also responsible for Wales' own Leaning Tower. The slant is more than 10 degrees, easily surpassing the wonkiness of Pisa's campanile.
Commanding 30 acres, Caerphilly is the second largest castle complex in Britain behind Windsor and the largest in Wales. The concentric wall design was new to the Isles when it was built and marked a turning point in castle construction for Britain. Despite the myriad of medieval attacks, the castle was never breached. The water defenses were most likely inspired by Kenilworth, a site that de Clare knew well as he participated in the castle's siege in 1266. The dams provided defense along with practical applications. The old water mill is still visible.
The keep and inner bailey sits on the island in the middle. The gatehouse, inspired by the castle at Tonbridgde, allowed for both defense and accomodation. There were even more sumptuous quarters located within the inner ward to the west of the Great Hall. A few medieval corbels still grace the Great Hall along with an enormous fire place. A secondary island sometimes called Caer y Werin or "people's fort" may have served as a solace for the town during attack. There are also traces of Roman fortifications on the island.
The castle is currently undergoing a 5 million restoration and renovation castle. A portion of the efforts including improvements to accessibility have already been completed. A new visitors center and a restoration of the great hall are both on the docket. Cadw manages the site and posts regular updates about the ambitious project.
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