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Wednesday, 08-Feb-2012 23:06:15 GMT
Architectural Town Walk
The building of Aberystwyth Castle was begun in August 1277
Castle History
The building of Aberystwyth Castle was begun in August 1277 on land formerly belonging to the Cistercian monks of Strata Florida. It was one of four new castles begun by Edward I after his defeat of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, and in its heyday was larger than Caernarfon, Conwy or Harlech Castles. A report submitted to the king in 1280 found many deficiencies in the castle's structure, a situation exacerbated by vicissitudes such as the Welsh uprising of March 1282, which severely damaged the building. The castle was completed in 1289, at a cost of over £4,300. In 1321 and 1337, however, there were records of disrepair, reinforced by William of Emedon's list of dilapidations of 1343. In 1403 the Castle was besieged by supporters of Owain Glyndwr and held by them from 1404-8.
Thomas Bushell established a royal mint in the castle hall in 1637; though this was removed in 1639, £30,000 of coin and bullion was stored there until 1647, the Royalist garrison having surrendered in 1646. In September 1649 the castle was ordered to be slighted; this and later stone robbing for building purposes have brought this once mighty castle to a state of ruin
The castle is now a Scheduled Ancient Monument and owned and cared for by Ceredigion County Council. Since 1975 archaeologists working on behalf of the Council, and led by RCAHMW staff, have uncovered many of the castle buildings, previously obscured by mounds of rubble. The Great Gate, for instance, is now cleared, together with a unique arcaded cross-wall discovered in its south tower, and fragments of medieval and 17th-century buildings have been uncovered behind the inner curtain-wall; the lower levels of walling were found to be fragile and clay bonded. The castle ditch is best preserved on the north-west, and the outer curtain and north and south towers still retain much of their original appearance, despite modifications.
The stub of the town wall where it joined the curtain-wall of the castle can still be seen.
During the late 18th-century the castle rubble was landscaped as the castle was developed as pleasure grounds. Large portions of masonry were aesthetically placed throughout, reflecting hidden architectural features.
Right onto the New Promenade
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