Penlle'r Castell facts for kids
Penlle'r Castell is an old castle ruin found high up on Mynydd y Betws. This mountain is in the northern part of Swansea, Wales.
This castle was likely a strong fort built in the late 1200s. It was probably used by a powerful ruler called a Marcher Lord. These lords controlled lands near the border between England and Wales.
Penlle'r Castell sits 1,213 feet (about 370 meters) above sea level. Its name means "summit of the place of the castle" in English.
What is Penlle'r Castell's History?
Historians think the castle might have been built by William de Braose, 2nd Baron Braose. This could have happened just before the year 1252. However, we don't have exact proof of when it was built.
Many believe this fort is the "New Castle of Gower." This "new castle" was attacked and destroyed in 1252. There was only one other castle in this northern area at that time. It was called Cae Castell.
Cae Castell's location and design mean it couldn't be the "new castle." Penlle'r Castell, however, was in a perfect spot. It could watch over the lords of Is Cennan. These lords lived north of the River Amman.
The castle helped stop them from moving into northern Gower. It was a military fort, like a small base. A group of soldiers could use it to stop raids. They could also send warnings to Swansea if an army was coming.
What Can You See at the Site Today?
Today, you can see impressive earthworks at the site. These are large mounds and deep ditches. There are also small pieces of the stone buildings. These buildings once stood on top of the earthworks.
The castle might have had two stone towers. These towers were probably built without mortar. This means the stones were carefully stacked together. It's also possible that the castle wasn't always staffed with soldiers.
