Deganwy Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deganwy Castle |
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| Conwy, North Wales | |
Deganwy Castle
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 Deganwy Castle
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| Coordinates | 53°17′51″N 3°49′44″W / 53.2975°N 3.8290°W |
| Type | Castle |
| Site information | |
| Condition | Earthworks remain |
| Site history | |
| Materials | Stone |
| Airfield information | |
| Elevation | 110 m (360 ft) AMSL |
Deganwy Castle was an important old stronghold in Deganwy, North Wales. It sits right at the mouth of the River Conwy. This castle was built on a huge rock that sticks out of the ground. This rock is 110 meters (361 feet) high!
Contents
Deganwy Castle: A Look Back in Time
Deganwy Castle was once a very important place. It was a key stronghold for the Kingdom of Gwynedd. Today, you can mostly see ditches and mounds. But these tell us about its long history.
What Was Deganwy Castle?
The first castle here was built a very long time ago. It was made of wood. This wooden fortress stood on a massive rock. This area is now part of modern Llandudno. People believe it was the main base for Maelgwn Gwynedd. He was a powerful King of Gwynedd around the years 520 to 547. There's even a nearby hill called Bryn Maelgwyn. This shows how important he was to the area.
Roman Times and Beyond
People probably lived at Deganwy even during the Roman period. After the Romans left, the area became popular. It was a safe spot from Irish raids. There might have been a small village below the rocky castle. This is where people who worked for the castle lived.
A Fiery End and New Beginnings
Sadly, the wooden castle was destroyed in 812. It was hit by lightning and burned down. But the story of Deganwy Castle didn't end there.
Rebuilding and Final Days
Years later, the castle was rebuilt. This time, it was made of strong stone.
King Henry III's Stone Castle
King Henry III of England ordered the castle to be rebuilt in stone. This was a huge project! It cost more than £2,200. That was a massive amount of money back then. The stone castle was much stronger.
The End of Deganwy Castle
The stone castle didn't last forever. In 1263, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, who was the Prince of Wales, destroyed it. He didn't want it to be used against him. After this, a new castle was built nearby. This was Conwy Castle. It stands just across the river estuary.
Amazing Discoveries at Deganwy
Archaeologists are like history detectives. In the 1960s, an archaeologist named Leslie Alcock dug up the ruins. He found some amazing things! He discovered pieces of pottery. These pottery pieces were from the Mediterranean Sea. This shows that the kings of Gwynedd had connections far away. They traded with people from distant lands.
Images for kids
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Deganwy Castle
