Aberedw Castle

Aberedw Castle
Powys, Wales

The best preserved part of Aberedw Castle
Type Castle
Site information
Condition Ruined
Site history
Built 1093
Demolished Partially demolished in the 19th century

The remains of Aberedw Castle, also known as 'Castle in Elfael Uwch Mynydd',[1] are located at the small village of Aberedw in the county of Powys, mid-Wales.

History

The castle was signed to Walter Heckelutel, as a License of the Crenellate, by King Edward I of England on November 24, 1284. This license to crenellate was thought of as a way for central authority to exert power over the lords, although this is not confirmed.[2] It is also suggested however, that the castle dates back to 1093 when the Normans invaded South Wales.[3]

At the time of the construction of Aberedw, castles were built for a certain symbolism. The license to crennellate showed a symbolic power for central authority. This castle also has a different symbolism to the people of Wales. Aberedw is more famously known to be the residence of Llewelyn ap Gruffydd. This man is very well known as the last native Prince of Wales. Aberedw was the last retreat Llewelyn made before he was killed and beheaded by Adam Francton, who then had his head sent to the King of England, in 1282.[4]

It was a rectangular stone castle with circular towers,[5] surrounded by a moat approximately 10 to 20 meters wide.[1] Today it is a ruin, as it was destroyed by railway works in the 19th century. Many stones from the castle were used in the construction of the foundations of the track.[6]

References

  1. 1 2 Philip Davis (2007-01-20). "Aberedw Castle". The Gatehouse. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
  2. "English Licences to Crenallate Some Analysis". The Gatehouse. 2007-01-20. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
  3. "Fforest Fields". Fforestfields.Co.Uk. 2006-08-03. Archived from the original on 2006-12-08. Retrieved 2007-02-14.
  4. Melesina Bowen (2003). "British Women Romantic Poets Project". University of California. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
  5. Philip Davis (2007-01-20). "Site Types in the Listings". The Gatehouse. Retrieved 2007-05-03.
  6. Marvin Hull. "Castle Preservation: Vanished Castles". Castles Unlimited. Archived from the original on 16 June 2007. Retrieved 2007-05-03.

External links

Coordinates: 52°07′01″N 3°20′41″W / 52.11706°N 3.34474°W / 52.11706; -3.34474

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