Deganwy Castle
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Deganwy Castle (also called Din-Gowny in early Welsh) was a fortified early capital of Gwynedd and lies at the mouth of the River Conwy in North Wales.
The Dark Age fortress, which is now little than ditches and mounds, was formerly made of wood and constructed on a massive rock outcrop in what is now the suburbs of modern Llandudno. Traditionally, it was the headquarters of King Maelgwn Hir of Gwynedd (c.520 - 547). A nearby hill is also called Bryn Maelgwyn supporting this legend.
Deganwy was probably first occupied during the Roman period, but was popular in the years following their departure because it was safe from Irish raids. Morbidly the area below the castle is called Maesdu meaning "Black Meadow" and was probably the site of many bloody battles. The area beneath the rocky stronghold may have been the site of a settlement of serfs and workers. Prophetically, the place was destroyed when struck by lightning in the year 860.
The castle was rebuilt in stone for King Henry III of England, but was abandoned and finally destroyed by Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1263. Conway Castle was later constructed just across the estuary.
When the ruins were excavated by archaeologist Leslie Alcock in the 1960s a dozen sherds of Dark Age pottery which had been imported from the Mediterranean were discovered indicating the far-reaching contacts of Gwynedd's Royal dynasty.
