Castell Gwallter facts for kids
Castell Gwallter, also known as Walter's Castle, is an old castle ruin in Wales. It's a type of castle called a motte-and-bailey castle. This means it had a big earth mound (the motte) with a tower, and a walled area (the bailey) below. This castle sits on a large hill above the village of Llandre in northern Ceredigion. It's about four miles northeast of Aberystwyth. The castle was built by the Normans, who were people from France who conquered England.
History of Castell Gwallter
Castell Gwallter was built around the year 1120. A knight named Walter de Bec built it. He was an important knight who worked for Gilbert Fitz Richard. Walter de Bec was known as a brave leader. He even led troops in a big battle called the 'Battle of the Standard' in 1138.
The castle was captured in 1136 by Owain Gwynedd. He was a powerful Welsh prince. But then, in 1153, another Welsh leader, Lord Rhys, and his brothers took it back. After this, we don't know much about what happened to the castle. It might have been taken apart or destroyed.
Exploring the Castle Site
Castell Gwallter is in a great spot, about half a mile west of Llandre village. It was one of about 300 castles built in this area. These castles were made to help the Normans control the Welsh people.
The castle is a "motte-and-bailey" type. This means it had a large earth mound, or "motte," with a tower on top. The tower was probably made of wood, because there are no stone remains on the mound. Around the motte, there was a ditch for defense. There was also a smaller inner area, called the "bailey," and a larger outer area, both surrounded by defenses.
The whole castle site is very well-preserved. The ground on the east and north sides is very steep. This made it a natural defense for the castle. The site is also about 90 meters (295 feet) higher than St Michael’s Church in Llandre, which is nearby.
Visiting Information
The castle is on private land. However, you can still see it from a public path that goes close by.
