Flint Castle, Flint (North Wales)

Begun in 1277, one of the first castles to be built in Wales by King Edward I.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

Begun in 1277, one of the first castles to be built in Wales by King Edward I. Its most impressive feature is a solitary round tower, isolated from the rest of the inner ward. It features in Shakespeare's Richard II.  

History to the present day

Flint was the first of what would later become known as Edward I's "Iron Ring", which was a chain of castles constructed to encircle North Wales and oppress the Welsh. The construction began almost immediately after Edward I commenced the First Welsh War in 1277. It was attacked in 1282 by forces under Dafydd ap Gruffydd, brother of Llywelyn the Last and again in 1294 during the revolt led by Madog ap Llywelyn. The latter attack forced the constable of the castle to set fire to the fortress to avoid its capture by the Welsh although the castle was later repaired and partially rebuilt.

In 1399 Richard II of England was held by Henry Bolingbroke at Flint before being returned to London. During the English Civil War, Flint Castle was held by the Royalists before being eventually captured by the Parliamentarians in 1647 following a three-month siege and slighted to prevent its reuse in the conflict. The ruins left after this war are what remain today.
 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Flint Castle, North Wales, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

Open site all year round.

 

Open sites are unstaffed and are open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10.00 and 16.00 daily. 

 

 

Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.