Llangynwyd Castle facts for kids
Llangynwyd Castle is an old, ruined castle in Llangynwyd, South Wales. It's found near Maesteg in the Bridgend County Borough. Experts believe it was first built around the 12th century.
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History of Llangynwyd Castle
During the Middle Ages, Llangynwyd Castle was a very important fort. It stood in the hilly areas of Glamorgan, a powerful lordship. The castle was likely taken over around the year 1147. We know it existed because it was mentioned in old papers from 1246.
Sadly, the castle was attacked and looted in 1258. After this, it was rebuilt. However, it was burned down again around 1293 or 1294. After that, it seems the castle was never rebuilt.
What Llangynwyd Castle Looked Like
Experts who study old buildings say the castle was built on a narrow, steep hill. This hill was located between two streams. The castle had two main parts: an inner court and a larger outer court.
The Castle's Entrance
The main entrance to the castle was a gatehouse with two towers. This gatehouse looked out over the outer court. People say it looked a bit like the huge gatehouse at Caerphilly Castle. This part of Llangynwyd Castle was probably built when the castle was rebuilt in the 1260s.
Inside the Castle Walls
The inner court of the castle was shaped a bit like a heart. It was about 35 to 39 meters wide. A deep ditch surrounded this inner court, except on one side. The main wall around it, called the curtain wall, is now very ruined. It might even be older than the year 1257.
You can still see the foundations, which are the bottom parts, of several buildings inside the inner court. The path leading into this area was made of carefully cut stones.
