Perched atop a commanding hill in the picturesque Tywi Valley, the remnants of Dryslwyn Castle stand as a testament to one of the most important native Welsh fortifications in South Wales.
Its rich history weaves a tale of raw ambition, fierce conflict, and eventual decline, transforming from a proud symbol of Welsh royalty to an English borough and ultimately into ruins.
Visit Date:August 2022
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle |
The saga of Dryslwyn begins in the late 12th century, following the death of Rhys ap Gruffydd, known as The Lord Rhys, in 1197. His sons fought fiercely for control of the kingdom of Deheubarth, spurring a struggle that would shape the castle's destiny. While it’s believed that the castle may have been built atop a prehistoric fortification, conclusive archaeological evidence is still elusive.
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle |
Rhys Gryg is credited with founding the stone castle for his son, Maredudd ap Rhys. This fortification is thought to have existed long before its first recorded mention in 1246, when it was named in the Annales Cambriae, detailing a siege led by the seneschal of Carmarthen.
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle : |
Under Maredudd ap Rhys's watch, the castle flourished, undergoing significant expansion including the addition of a middle ward. Upon Maredudd's death in 1271, his son, Rhys ap Maredudd, inherited this strategic stronghold. The landscape outside its walls began to take shape in 1281 when King Edward I granted Rhys the right to host an annual four-day fair, marking the early development of a “proto-Welsh town.”
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle : showing the windows of the chapel |
However, the turmoil of the War of Welsh Independence cast a shadow over Dryslwyn. In 1283, although Rhys ap Maredudd remained loyal to the English Crown, tensions flared when King Edward I denied him the ancestral seat at Dinefwr Castle. Frustrated by ongoing border disputes,
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle : Inner Ward |
Rhys rose in rebellion in June 1287, seizing several local castles and drawing the ire of the English, who mobilized a tremendous force of around 11,000 men to respond.
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle : Inner Ward |
The ensuing siege of Dryslwyn became a harrowing chapter in its history. For weeks, the English laid siege to the castle, deploying trebuchets and utilizing mining techniques. During one such inspection of their tunneling efforts, the ground crumbled, tragically killing several English nobles. Despite the chaos, the castle fell on September 5, although Rhys managed a daring escape.
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle : Detail |
Rhys ap Maredudd’s luck ultimately ran out in 1292, when he was captured and executed for treason in York, marking the end of his valiant resistance. In the wake of his defeat, the English Crown transformed the surrounding town into a formal borough, carving out 37 burgage plots aimed at attracting English settlers.
 |
| A section of chimney resting on a concrete platform |
By 1304, the town had burgeoned into a bustling community of 50-55 houses, home to approximately 250-275 people. Yet, this prosperity proved short-lived, with the deadly grip of the plague sweeping through in 1361 and 1369, leaving the town in decline.
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle : Detail |
The castle saw further action during the Welsh uprising, when Owain Glyndŵr seized it in 1403, but it was soon retaken by English forces.
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle : View over Tywi Valley |
Determined to prevent it from becoming a stronghold again, they decommissioned the castle, bricking up the main gatehouse, stripping away its stairs, and ultimately setting it ablaze.
 |
| Dryslwyn Castle : View over Tywi Valley |
Fast forward to the recent past— in 1966, Dryslwyn Castle earned its designation as a Scheduled Ancient Monument, a nod to its historical importance. Between 1980 and 1985, a significant archaeological excavation uncovered much of the castle’s layout and unearthed fascinating artifacts from the 1287 siege, including stone trebuchet balls and remnants of chain mail. Today, Dryslwyn Castle stands as a hauntingly beautiful relic of its storied past, inviting all who visit to imagine the epic battles and princely ambitions that once echoed through its stone walls.
Footer:
Visit Information: -
Google Reference: -
What Three Words reference: -
OS Details: -
SN 55384 20291 Elevation 68m
Visiting is easy with a dedicated car park (51.862757874378424, -4.103788903426793) and then well sign posted walk across the road to the site.
The site is on a hill, so there is a climb to the castle.
There are no facilities here.
NOTE : Occasionally (as noted on the gate) there will be times when dogs are not allowed to ensure the safety of grazing sheep in the castle grounds.
0 comments:
Post a Comment