Kidwelly Castle

The origins of Kidwelly Castle date back to the early 12th century, when Bishop Roger of Salisbury founded the first structure around 1106. Its early years were marked by frequent changes of ownership, with the castle alternately conquered, destroyed, and rebuilt by Welsh and Normans. For instance, it fell to the Welsh in 1190, to the Normans in 1201, and was conquered and destroyed by Rhys Grug in 1215. It was not until the reign of Edward I of England, from about 1275 onwards, that the brothers Payn and Patrick de Chaworth began reconstruction and expansion. They had the inner curtain wall with its towers built, which largely remains to this day. The castle was further expanded and an outer curtain wall was added, before it gradually fell into disrepair after losing its military significance.