There are few castles in Cymru in a more scenic location than Castell y Bere – the beautiful Llanfihangel-y-pennant, Eryri, Gwynedd. A Native Welsh castle, Castell y Bere has origins in the early 13th century, when it is believed to have been constructed by the Welsh Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth, known as Llywelyn “Fawr” (Llywelyn “the Great”).
The castle overlooks Dyffryn Dysynni and would have gotten its water from Afon Dysynni. Llywelyn, a Prince of Gwynedd, soon extended his influence across most of Cymru and kept large parts of it united against the intrusive Normans, who were by this time making serious incursions into Cymru. These incursions would culminate in the 1280s (Llywelyn Fawr then long-gone) with the conclusion of the Welsh Wars; the deaths of Llywelyn & Dafydd ap Gruffydd and the Edwardian Conquest of Wales.
Castell y Bere, too, would fall into Edward’s hands following the killing of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd (Llyewlyn “the Last”) in 1282. It was April 25 1283 when Edward gained the castle through conquest. Unlike other native Welsh castles captured by Edward, such as Castell Degannwy, Castell y Bere wasn’t demolished but repaired. Perhaps Edward appreciated its strategic position.
The castle’s history is little known from this point on but it is believed to have been ruined in 1294 during the Revolt of Madoc ap Llywelyn.
Here’s a fun fact about Cardiff Castle you didn’t know. If castles interest you, here’s some Welsh history on Caerphilly Castle; Raglan Castle, Penrhyn Castle, Beaumaris Castle.
You might also like a small challenge about castles by doing this Word Search for Castles Around Cymru.
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Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.