Castell y Bere is situated near Llanfihangel-y-Pennant, north of Abergynolwyn. The castle was built by Llywelyn ap Iorwerth of Gwynedd, a Welsh prince, in the 1220's and it guarded what was once a major route though the nearby mountains.
Nice view!
In comparison to what the Normans built, they are not as impressive in size. But Castell y Bere does have its own historical significances.
In 1282, Llywelyn ap Iowerth's grandson, Dafydd ap Gruffydd attacked the Hawarden Castle, and provoked an invasion of Wales by Edward I. Castell y Bere was finally surrendered to the English in 1283 and it was the last castle to fall during Edward I's invasion into Wales. This invasion was to result in the building of Edward's ring of castles around Wales and the effective end of Wales as a separate nation.
See the sheeps in the background?
The castle itself was abandoned in the 13th Century and it has been neglected for hundreds of years. So, it is very much a ruin now. The castle do offers a nice vintage point over the surrounding ground and having been built by a native, it is a very different from the Naglo/Norman castles!
At the highest point of what remains of the castle.
A word of warning: make sure you wear good shoes when you are visiting the site. There is a rather rocky slope that you have to walk through before you arrive at the site. And don't go on a windy day! You will literally be 'blown away' :)
1 comment:
Just randomly come across ur blog.
Very nice picture you have there
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