Kidwelly

Kidwelly is one of the finest castles in South-West Wales, it remains remarkably intact. Dominating a long disputed region, the strong and splendid castle developed during more than three centuries of Anglo-Norman/Welsh warfare: a chronicle in stone of medieval fortress technology. With its walls within walls fortifications Kidwelly looks today as an outstanding examples of late 13th century castle design.

Kidwelly was established on the estuary of the river Gwendraeth in 1106 by Roger, bishop of Salisbury, the justiciar of England, within a short time of the Norman conquest, to defend the road to west Wales. Its half moon shape stems from the original 12th century Norman timber castle, of the motte-and-baley type, defended on one side by the river and on the other by a deep crescent shaped ditch. At the end of 13th century one of Edward I's baron's, Henry Earl of Lancaster, raised  within this a rectangular stone stronghold with round corner towers, perhaps echoing castles he had seen on Crusade. Even the chapel, in a protruding tower on the river side of the castle, was designed for defense. Then the South Gatehouse was begun but stood unfinished when Owain Glyndwr's Welsh troops attacked in 1403. Yet Kidwelly's tiny garrison of two dozen archers and townsmen held out behind improvised defenses and later the great gatehouse was completed.

This three-storeyed gatehouse, with portcullis, drawbridge, constable's lodgings above and dungeon pit below, attracts particular attention: it was extremely well defended, and indeed was designed so that it could be held independently if the remainder of the castle had fallen to besiegers. The outer half-circuit of towered walls was considerably heightened, making Kidwelly an up-to-date 'concentric' castle.

The  last addition to the castle was at the end of the 15th century: a new great hall was built on the west of the outer ward with a connecting kitchen within the inner ward. Another building and bakehouse were added, probably the work of Rhys ap Thomas who was granted the castle by King Henry VII°. In the 17th century the castle played only a secondary part in the Civil war, laying as it did far away from the central area of the struggle.  For the modern tourist is recommended a walk around the exterior of the castle, as its dominating position is best appreciated from outside