Swansea Castle, Swansea (Swansea)

Remains of the Braose castle dating to the late thirteenth century.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

Remains of the Braose castle dating to the late thirteenth century. The later distinctive arcaded parapet is reminiscent of the episcopal palaces at Lamphey and St Davids.  

History to the present day

Swansea Castle had a turbulent history, suffering in many Welsh raids, and changing hands numerous times. The castle was Norman, and an attack by the Welsh was first recorded in 1116. It was founded by Henry I's friend Henry de Beaumont, first earl of Warwick. It was the seat of administration of the lordship of Gower, which was bestowed on de Beaumont in about 1106. The original castle was a motte and bailey but nothing remains of that castle above ground. The castle is thought to have been razed by the Welsh in 1217 and then rebuilt on the same site but in stone.
The 'New Castle', the remains of which can be seen in part today, lay in the old castle’s south east corner occupying the site of an earlier graveyard. The new castle dates from the late 1200s to early 1300s, by which time Edward I's pacification of Wales had deprived it of any real strategic import and its holders, the de Braoses, preferred to live at Oystermouth Castle. Inevitably the castle declined into disuse and disrepair and the largely useless gates and towers of the bailey were sold off in the early 14th century.

 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Swansea Castle, Swansea, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

Open site all year round

 

Open sites are unstaffed and 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.