WAW005897 WALES (1947). View of Kidwelly castle. Oblique aerial photograph, 5½" cut roll film.

Great Gatehouse

Afon Gwendraeth Fach

Kidwelly Castle (Castell Cydweli) Cadw listed building number 11876. Open to the public for a charge. 1106 - Construction began after the lands of Kidwelly were granted to Bishop Roger of Salisbury by Henry I, at the mouth of the Gwaendraeth Fach. 13th C: Much of the castle visible today is the result of extensive refortification by the de Chaworth family in the 13th century in an effort to keep it up-to-date with the military standards of its time. 1389 The building of the south gate was initiated by John of Gaunt in 1389, 1403 the ditch beyond the north gate was dug in response to an attack by supporters of Owain Glyn Dwr in 1403 Just outside the gatehouse (completed c 1422) stands a memorial to Princess Gwenllian who died in battle in 1136 not far from Kidwelly fighting the lord of the castle, Maurice de Londres, to save Deheubarth – south-west Wales - from Norman invaders. In 1927 the owner placed the ruins under the guardianship of the Commissioners of Works (now the Department of the Environment). Currently managed by Cadw Since that date extensive works of preservation have been undertaken. In 1930 and 1931 excavations were carried out. The plan of the castle consists of a square inner bailey defended by four round towers, which overlook a semi-circular outer curtain wall on the landward side, with the massive gatehouse next to the river. The river prevents this from being a truly concentric plan, however a jutting tower protects the riverside walls, and the final plan is very strong. Kidwelly was used as a location for the film Monty Python and the Holy Grail, appearing in the very first scene after the titles. sources: wikipedia [[Kidwelly Castle]] http://www.kidwellyhistory.co.uk/ 2012 Image of castle is copyright by Iphrit, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Sharealike licence. Source [[File:Kidwelly castle whole.JPG]]