Ystrad Peithyll facts for kids
Ystrad Peithyll (also known as Stradpeithyll or Rhosgoch Motte) is what's left of a small castle from the 1100s. It was a type of castle called a motte-and-bailey. You can find its ruins near the River Peithyll in northern Ceredigion, Wales. This old castle was attacked and destroyed by followers of a Welsh leader named Gruffydd ap Rhys a long time ago.
What Was Ystrad Peithyll Castle?
Ystrad Peithyll was a "motte-and-bailey" castle. This was a common type of castle built after the Normans came to Britain.
- A motte is a big earth mound, like a small hill. The main tower or fort was built on top of this mound.
- A bailey is a fenced-in area next to the motte. It was usually surrounded by a ditch and a wooden fence. People lived and worked here.
These castles were quick to build and offered good protection.
Where is Ystrad Peithyll Castle?
This historic castle site is located in a part of Wales called Trefeurig, which is in northern Ceredigion. It's mentioned in an old Welsh book of history called the Brut y Tywysogion.
Today, you can still see the mound where the castle stood. It's about 20 meters (around 65 feet) wide. The sides of the mound are about 3.6 meters (around 12 feet) high. A ditch, which could be up to 15 meters (about 49 feet) wide in some places, surrounds the mound. This ditch helped protect the castle from attackers. Experts also think there might have been another small bank of earth on the lower ground, adding even more defense.
The Story of Ystrad Peithyll Castle
Ystrad Peithyll Castle was built during a time when the Normans were taking control of parts of Wales. This happened after the Normans took over England in 1066. King Henry I was in charge, and he wanted to secure his power in Wales.
The castle was home to a person called Razo (sometimes known as Razon or Ralf). He was a steward, which means he managed things for a powerful Norman lord named Gilbert Fitz Richard. Gilbert Fitz Richard had been made the Lord of Cardigan in 1110. Ystrad Peithyll was one of several castles that helped the Normans control the area.
However, the Welsh people did not always like Norman rule. A Welsh prince named Gruffydd ap Rhys led a rebellion around 1113 or 1116. During this uprising, many Norman castles were attacked. Ystrad Peithyll Castle was one of them.
Gruffydd ap Rhys's forces surrounded the castle. They eventually broke through its defenses. Many people inside the castle were killed during the attack. The castle itself was then set on fire. It was mostly destroyed and never rebuilt.
At the time of the attack, Razo, the steward, was not at Ystrad Peithyll. He was at another castle he owned called Ystrad Antarron. After destroying Ystrad Peithyll, Gruffydd ap Rhys and his army then moved on to attack Ystrad Antarron as well.
