Rhuddlan Castle's construction was ordered by Edward I. The new castle at Rhuddlan replaced the existing motte and bailey castle that had been built following the Norman Conquest. The building work was begun in 1277 and the castle was built at an important crossing at the mouth of the river Clwyd. Edward had the river straightened and deepened to allow his ships access right up to the castle walls. This was important as it meant the castle could be resupplied by sea which was controlled by the English. The castle was designed by Edward's chief castle builder, James St. George who was responsible for many of the Welsh castles built during this time. Rhuddlan is a concentric type of castle. This means that the castle has not just one wall, but a series of walls thus making an assault on the castle much more difficult. The inner section of the castle consists of a diamond shaped enclosure with six circular towers. There are two entrances to the enclosure, each protected by twin towers.
Harold led an attack on the stronghold of Gruffydd ap Llywelyn at Rhuddlan in north Wales. The attack was a success but the Welsh Prince managed to escape.2
Leaving work on Flint Castle underway Edward I moved on up the coast to Rhuddlan where he found the remains of an old Norman Motte and Bailey castle overlooking an important crossing point of the river Clywd. A new castle was ordered and work began to create both the castle and a new town alongside.
Llewelyn was cut off from supplies and an escape route so had to accept defeat. Edward demanded payment of £50,000 and all of Llewelyn's territories. Llewelyn was left only with the Isle of Angelsey which he had to pay rent of £1,000 a year. Edward also demanded that Angelsey should be handed in the case that Llewelyn died without a male heir. Llewelyn swore fealty to Edward at Rhuddlan on November 10th and again at a ceremony at Westminster Abbey on Christmas Day.
King Edward had called for the feudal army to gather at Rhuddlan in August to put down the Welsh revolt. Edward and Eleanor's daughter Elizabeth was born at Rhuddlan at this time.3
After the second Welsh rebellion Edward decided to bring Wales under direct rule. The Statute of Rhuddlan brought English laws to Wales. Edward appointed sheriffs and bailiffs for the northern territories while the southern areas were left under the control of the Marcher Lords.
1. James Forde-Johnston,Great Medieval Castles of Britain,1979 2. Peter Potter,Data Donation, 3. Kenneth H.Vickers,England in the Later Middle Ages,1921
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