Rhuddlan Castle

Rhuddlan Castle
Part of Denbighshire
Rhuddlan, Wales
A view of the castle from across the River Clwyd.
Rhuddlan Castle
Coordinates	53°17′20″N 3°27′52″W / 53.2889°N 3.464528°W / 53.2889; -3.464528
Type	Concentric castle
Site information
Controlled by	Cadw
Condition	Ruin
Site history
Built	From 1277 to 1282
Built by	Master Bertram James of St. George
In use	Open to public.
Materials	Limestone
Demolished	1648
Events	Welsh Wars English Civil War
Listed Building – Grade I

Rhuddlan Castle (Welsh: Castell Rhuddlan) is a castle located in Rhuddlan, Denbighshire, Wales. It was erected by Edward I in 1277, following the First Welsh War.

Much of the work was overseen by master mason James of Saint George. Rhuddlan, which was not completed until 1282, was built concurrently with Flint Castle, at a time when King Edward I of England was consolidating his conquest of Wales. It was temporarily his residence, and his daughter, Elizabeth, is presumed to have been born there.

Rhuddlan was planned as a concentric castle. It has a unique 'diamond' in layout as the gatehouses are positioned at the corners of the square baileys instead of along the sides like at Flint, Harlech or Beaumaris. Records of construction costs show that it was the major piece of building work being carried out by the English during the late 1270s.

The inner ward has defensive walls with twin-tower gatehouses. The outer ward is surrounded by a curtain wall that has small towers and turrets. According to Thomas Pennant, who passed through the town on his travels in the 18th century, one of the towers is named "Twr-y-Silod" ("Grain Tower"), and another "Twr-y-Brenin" ("The King's Tower")The castle had a three-sided moat, with the River Clwyd protecting its fourth side. Within the inner ward there was a great hall, kitchens, private apartments and a chapel. The outer bailey had a granary, stables and a smithy.