Dinefwr Castle, associated with the princes of Deheubarth, occupies a place of great affection in the minds and traditions of the Welsh people. It lies on a steep ridge near Llandeilo overlooking the River Tywi. A timeline of the history of Dinefwr Castle; c. 871 - Traditionally, a castle was first constructed by Rhodri the Great. c. 900 - Dinefwr became the chief seat of Rhodris grandson Hywel Dda, the first ruler of the Kingdom of Deheubarth and also most of Wales. 1155 - 1197 - Rhys ap Gruffydd (the Lord Rhys), ruler of Deheubarth rebuilt the castle. Gerald of Wales tells a story about a plan by King Henry II of England to assault the castle during a campaign against Rhys. One of Henrys most trusted followers was sent on a reconnaissance mission, guided by a local Welsh cleric. The cleric was asked to lead him to the castle by the easiest route, but instead took the most difficult route he could find, ending the performance by stopping to eat grass with the explanation that this was the diet of the local people in times of hardship. The planned attack was duly abandoned. 1197 - On Rhys ap Gruffydds death the castle passed to his son Rhys Gryg. The earliest parts of the present castle are thought to derive from this period. 1233 - Rhys Gryg died and his territory was divided between his sons, Rhys Mechyll who inherited Dinefwr and Maredudd who inherited Dryslwyn, only five miles away. 1244 - Rhys Mechyll died and was succeeded by his son Rhys Fychan, who allied with King Henry III of England against Llywelyn ap Gruffud who was supported by Maredudd. 1256 - Llywelyn ousted Rhys Fechan from Dinefwr giving Maredudd control of Dinefwr. 1257 - Rhys Fychan accepted Llywelyn as overlord and had his lands, including Dinefwr restored. Maredydd in turn switched sides and paid homage to Henry III. 1277 - King Edward I of England invaded Wales and captured Dinefwr. The castle was put into the custody of a constable. 1316 - The castle burnt during the rebellion of Llywelyn Bren. 1317 - The castle was given to Hugh Despenser, the favourite of King Edward II of England. 1403 - The castle was unsuccessfully besieged by Welsh forces during the rebellion of Owain Glyndwr. 1467 - Dinefwr was in the possesion of Sir Rhys ap Thomas, who marched with Henry VII against Richard III and was instrumental in Henrys victory at the Battle of Bosworth Field in 1485. The poet Gutor Glyn implies that Rhys himself was responsible for killing Richard with a poll axe. 1531 - Rhys ap Thomass grandson was executed for treason and the castle was confiscated by the crown. The family were later able to recover it, but abandoned it in 1600, for a new house built on the site of the present Newton House. The castle is now owned by the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales and managed by CADW on their behalf.
Posted on: Sat, 27 Dec 2014 00:10:00 +0000
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