Gaer Penrhôs facts for kids

Gaer Penrhôs was once a castle in Ceredigion, Wales. It sat on top of a steep hill near Llanrhystud. Today, you can only see the outlines of its old defenses. People have called it different names, like Llanrhystud Castle or Castell Cadwaladr. It seems like more than one building might have stood there over time.

Gaer Penrhôs: A Hilltop Stronghold

Gaer Penrhôs had a great view. From its spot, you could see the mountains of the Ystwyth Valley. You could also look out over Cardigan Bay. This made it a perfect place for a castle.

What Was a Ringwork Castle?

A ringwork castle like Gaer Penrhôs was a type of early castle. It had a small open area, like a courtyard. This area was surrounded by a large wall of earth, called a rampart. Outside the rampart, there was a deep ditch. This design made it hard for enemies to attack.

Some experts think Gaer Penrhôs might have been even older. They believe it could have started as a much larger Roman-era hillfort. A hillfort was a fortified settlement built on a hill. This older site is often called Caer Penrhos today.

Who Built and Fought for Gaer Penrhôs?

The history of Gaer Penrhôs is full of battles and changes.

Early Beginnings

Around the year 1110, a man named Richard de la Mare built the first ring motte here. A motte was a raised mound of earth. It often had a wooden tower on top.

Captured and Destroyed

Just six years later, in 1116, Gruffydd ap Rhys captured the castle. Then, in 1136, Cadwaladr ap Gruffydd destroyed it. But Cadwaladr wasn't done with the site. In 1149, he built a new castle in almost the same spot.

Family Disputes

In 1150, a fight broke out in a powerful Welsh family. Owain Gwynedd was Cadwaladr's brother. Owain's son, Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd, took Gaer Penrhôs for himself.

Hywel only held the castle for one year. He lost it to Rhys ap Gruffydd and his brothers. But Hywel came back later. He attacked the castle's defenders and destroyed its wooden defenses.

Norman Attacks

In 1158, a new castle structure appeared to be on the site. Norman soldiers captured it. However, Rhys ap Gruffydd soon returned. He burned down every English-controlled castle in Ceredigion. Gaer Penrhôs was likely one of them.

Today, only the outlines of its old defenses remain. They tell the story of a place that saw many battles and changes over the centuries.