Pembroke Castle

Pembroke Castle
Part of Pembrokeshire
Pembroke, Wales UK grid reference SM981015
The western walls of Pembroke Castle. The 13th Century keep is 23 metres (75 ft) tall with walls up to 6 metres (20 ft) thick at its base.
Type	Linear castle
Height	Up to 23 metres (75 ft)
Site information
Owner	Philipps Family
Controlled by	Philipps Family Pembroke Town Council
Open to the public	Yes
Condition	Partially restored
Site history
Built	1093 1189–1218 1234–1241
Built by	Arnulf of Montgomery William Marshal Gilbert Marshal
In use	Until mid 17th century
Materials	Siltstone Ashlar Mortar Timber
Battles/wars	Siege of Pembroke
Listed Building – Grade I

Pembroke Castle (Welsh: Castell Penfro) is a medieval castle in Pembroke, West Wales. Standing beside the Pembroke River, it underwent major restoration work in the early 20th century. The castle was the original seat of the Earldom of Pembroke.

In 1093 Arnulf of Montgomery built the first castle at the site when he fortified the promontory during the Norman invasion of Wales. A century later this castle was given to William Marshal by Richard I. Marshall, who would become one of the most powerful men in 12th-century Britain, rebuilt Pembroke in stone creating most of the structure that remains today.

The castle is sited on a strategic rocky promontory by the Milford Haven, and the Cleddau Estuary. The first fortification on the site was a Norman motte-and-bailey. It had earthen ramparts and a timber palisade.

In 1189, Pembroke Castle was acquired by William Marshal. The Earl Marshal then set about turning the earth and wood fort into an impressive Norman stone castle. The inner ward, which was constructed first, contains the huge round keep with its domed roof. Its original first-floor entrance was through an external stairwell. Inside, a spiral stairwell connected its four stories. The keep's domed roof also has several putlog holes that supported a wooden fighting-platform. If the castle was attacked, the hoarding allowed defenders to go out beyond the keep's massive walls above the heads of the attackers.