Twthill Castle, Rhuddlan (North Wales)

Norman motte built in about 1073.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

Norman motte built in about 1073 by Robert of Rhuddlan and his cousin Hugh 'the Fat', Earl of Chester. 

History to the present day

 Until 1063 Rhuddlan was the royal seat of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn. From this base the powerful prince plundered English lands extending as far as Oswestry and Wrexham. At that time Gruffydd was driven back to Rhuddlan by Earl Harold the future Saxon King Harold I who would be defeated three years later at the Battle of Hastings. At the command of his vanquisher, William the Conqueror, a new motte-and-bailey castle was rapidly erected at Rhuddlan in 1073. He placed Robert of Rhuddlan in control of the castle. The Domesday Book of 1086 shows that in return for an annual rent of L40, William had granted him power over the whole of north Wales above the Clwyd.

Today the earthen mound constructed by Robert rises impressively to the south of its 13th-century successor and the outline of the bailey can be traced in the adjoining fields. The Domesday Book also shows that under the joint lordship of Robert and his relation Earl Hugh of Chester a small borough was established beside the castle. This had both a church and a mint, and enjoyed special privileges and immunities conferred by the laws and customs of Hereford.

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Twthill Castle, North Wales, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

Open site all year.

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