Newcastle Castle () is a medieval castle located on Newcastle Hill,

Newcastle Newcastle usually refers to: *Newcastle upon Tyne, a city and metropolitan borough in Tyne and Wear, England, United Kingdom *Newcastle-under-Lyme, a town in Staffordshire, England, United Kingdom *Newcastle, New South Wales, a metropolitan area ...

, overlooking the town centre of

Bridgend Bridgend (; or just , meaning "the end of the bridge on the Ogmore") is a town in the Bridgend County Borough of Wales, west of Cardiff and east of Swansea. The town is named after the Old Bridge, Bridgend, medieval bridge over the River Og ...

Glamorgan Glamorgan (), or sometimes Glamorganshire ( or ), was Historic counties of Wales, one of the thirteen counties of Wales that existed from 1536 until their abolishment in 1974. It is located in the South Wales, south of Wales. Originally an ea ...

, South Wales. It was originally believed to date from 1106 when a

ringwork A ringwork is a form of fortified defensive structure, usually circular or oval in shape. Ringworks are essentially motte-and-bailey castles without the motte. Defences were usually earthworks in the form of a ditch and bank surrounding the site ...

was created at the site by the

Norman Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 9th and 10th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norma ...

baron Robert Fitzhamon. Some of the fine stonework survives, but today the castle is ruinous.

History

Newcastle Castle was initially constructed as a ringwork 1106 by William de Londres, one of the legendary

Twelve Knights of Glamorgan The Twelve Knights of Glamorgan were a "legendary" group of mercenaries who followed Robert Fitzhamon (d.1107), the Norman conqueror of Glamorgan. Although Fitzhamon was an actual historical figure, 16th-century historians, in particular Sir Ed ...

, as part of the

invasion of Wales. William de Londres was a knight loyal to the Norman baron Robert Fitzhamon and the Newcastle defences marked the most western extent of Fitzhamon's lordship.Salter (2002), p.88 It is one of three castles built by the Normans in the area at the time, the others being

Coity Castle Coity Castle () in Glamorgan, Wales, is a Norman castle built by Sir Payn "the Demon" de Turberville (fl. 1126), one of the legendary Twelve Knights of Glamorgan supposed to have conquered Glamorgan under the leadership of Robert FitzHamon ...

and

Ogmore Castle Ogmore Castle () is a Grade I listed castle ruin located near the village of Ogmore in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, east of Ogmore-by-Sea, and south of the town of Bridgend. It is situated on the south bank of the Ewenny River and the east ban ...

. The defences were strengthened either by

William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester William FitzRobert, 2nd Earl of Gloucester (22 January 1116 – 23 November 1183) was the son and heir of Sir Robert de Caen, 1st Earl of Gloucester, and Mabel FitzRobert of Gloucester, daughter of Robert Fitzhamon, and nephew of Empres ...

, shortly before his death in 1183 or by

Henry II Henry II may refer to: Kings * Saint Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor (972–1024), crowned King of Germany in 1002, of Italy in 1004 and Emperor in 1014 *Henry II of England (1133–89), reigned from 1154 *Henry II of Jerusalem and Cyprus (1271–1 ...

who took over the lordship of

on William's death. The additional works had the construction of a 2-m-thick curtain wall which surrounded a courtyard which was 40 m in length. The main reason behind these new defences was believed to be a response to the uprising in Glamorgan led by the Welsh Lord of Afan, Morgan ap Caradog. Henry died in 1189, and the ownership of Newcastle fell to Prince John, who that year handed the castle to Morgan ap Caradog. When Morgan died ''circa'' 1208, he was succeeded by his son Lleison. On Lleison's death, thought to be around 1214, the castle came into the ownership of

Isabel, Countess of Gloucester Isabella, Countess of Gloucester (c. 1160–1166 – October 1217), was an Anglo-Norman noblewoman who was the first wife of King John of England. Lineage and family Isabella was the youngest surviving daughter of William Fitz Robert, 2nd Earl ...

, the first wife of King John. In 1217, the ownership changed again, staying briefly with the Anglo-Norman baron

Gilbert Fitz Richard Gilbert Fitz Richard (–), 2nd feudal baron of Clare in Suffolk, and styled "de Tonbridge", was a powerful Anglo-Norman baron who was granted the Lordship of Cardigan, in Wales . Life Gilbert, born before 1066, was the second son and an hei ...

, who in the same year handed the castle over to Gilbert de Turberville, who preferred to continue living at Coity Castle.

The site

The castle is notable for the high quality of the stonework, especially that of the Norman doorway. This is late 12th century, and was likely constructed at the same time as the high curtain walls and the two square towers which they support. Only the base of the west tower survives, but the south tower has three storeys. This was remodelled for living quarters in the 16th century, when Tudor windows and fireplaces were added.

Visitor information

Newcastle Castle is under the care of

Cadw (, a Welsh verbal noun meaning "keeping/preserving") is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government and part of the Tourism and Culture group. works to protect the historic buildings and structures, the landscapes and heritage ...

. It is open free of charge throughout the year. A small parking area adjoins the site. A flight of 10 steps between the two main grassland levels restricts access for wheelchair users.

History

The site

Visitor information

References

Sources

See also