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Cefnllys Castle

📍 Powys, Wales

3.5 ★★★½ 28 reviews

About

Cefnllys Castle was a medieval spur castle in Radnorshire, Wales. Two successive masonry castles were built on a ridge above the River Ithon known as Castle Bank in the thirteenth century, replacing a wooden motte-and-bailey castle constructed by the Normans nearby. Controlling several communication routes into the highlands of Mid Wales, the castles were strategically important within the Welsh Marches during the High Middle Ages. As the seat of the fiercely contested lordship and cantref of Maelienydd, Cefnllys became a source of friction between Llywelyn ap Gruffudd and Roger Mortimer in the prelude to Edward I's conquest of Wales (1277–1283). Cefnllys was also the site of a borough and medieval town.

A Marcher castle near Llandrindod Wells, Powys, built and rebuilt multiple times during the 13th century. The original castle was destroyed by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1262. Rebuilt by Roger Mortimer, it was attacked again during the Welsh wars. A second castle was built nearby on a higher hill. The remote hilltop location offers panoramic views of the Ithon valley and surrounding uplands.