Neath Castle

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Neath Castle

Neath Castle (Welsh : Castell Nedd) is a Norman castle located in the town centre of Neath, Wales. Its construction was begun by Robert, Earl of Gloucester, the nominal Lord of Glamorgan, at a date estimated between 1114 and 1130. [1] [2] It is also referred to as "Granville's Castle", after Richard I de Grenville (or Granville or Glanville; died post 1142), Lord of Neath, who has also been credited with its construction. [3] The town of Neath takes its Welsh name, "Castell-nedd", from the castle. [4]

Contents

History

The first castle in Neath was located west of the river [1] near the Roman fort of Nidum, and was a timber fortification in a motte and bailey structure. [5] When Richard de Grenville founded Neath Abbey close by, he abandoned this original castle, and it may have been used by the monks as a source of building material. [6]

A second castle on the opposite bank of the river, in what is now the centre of the town, is first documented in 1183; shortly afterwards, William de Cogan, son of Miles de Cogan, was appointed constable. [7] This second castle was built by Gilbert de Clare, 5th Earl of Gloucester. [8] During the 13th century, being a Norman stronghold, it was subject to attack by the Welsh, notably by Llywelyn the Great, who captured it in 1231 with help from a local Welsh lord, Morgan Gam. [1] [5] [9] Following this, it was substantially rebuilt by Richard de Clare, 6th Earl of Gloucester, Gilbert's son. [10]

It was taken again, and this time destroyed, by Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford, in 1321, during the rebellion against King Edward II of England. [11] Its owner, Hugh Despenser the Younger (who had gained the lordship through his marriage to the heiress Eleanor de Clare), rebuilt it, possibly with the addition of a gatehouse. [10] In 1376, one Roger Kyngot was the constable, [12] and the castle was rebuilt in stone in 1377; that is probably when the great gatehouse was built, which is the main surviving feature. [13] The castle was in use until the 17th century, and has been a recreational area for the town since the 18th century. [14] The post of "Constable of Neath Castle", a medieval legacy, was held by Sir Humphrey Mackworth from 1703. [15] The title was eventually absorbed into that of Mayor of Neath. What remains of the castle is designated a Grade II* listed building. [16]

See also

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References

  1. 1 2 3 "In The Footsteps Of Alfred Russel Wallace" (PDF). dramaticheart.wales. Retrieved 27 January 2023.
  2. ↑ "Neath Castle". Neath Town Council. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  3. ↑ Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales. An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan: Volume III: Medieval secular monuments. The early castles - from the Norman Conquest to 1217: Volume III: Medieval secular monuments. The early castles - from the Norman Conquest to 1217. London: HMSO. p. 156. ISBN   0113000359.
  4. ↑ "The Neath Constituency". Christina Rees, MP for Neath. Neath Constituency Office. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  5. 1 2 "List of Castles in Wales". Historic UK. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Neath Castle from The Cistercian Way
  7. ↑ Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales (2000). An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan: Volume III - Part 1b: Medieval Secular Monuments the Later Castles from 1217 to the present. ISBN   9781871184228.
  8. ↑ "The Lordship of Neath". Cymdeithas Hanes Resolfen History Society. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  9. ↑ "Morgan Gam". Dictionary of Welsh Biography. National Library of Wales. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  10. 1 2 Pettifer, Adrian. Welsh Castles: A Guide by Counties. Boydell & Brewer. p.  100. ISBN   9780851157788.
  11. ↑ "Neath Castle". The Gatehouse Gazetteer. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  12. ↑ "Ministers' Accounts: Introduction". British History Online. Cardiff Records Committee. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Neath Castle". Jeffrey L. Thomas. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  14. ↑ coflein NPRN: 94528. GGAT PRN: 00624w. Cadw SAM: GM039: Neath Castle
  15. ↑ "Mackworth, Sir Humphrey". History of Parliament. Retrieved 5 April 2016.
  16. ↑ "Neath Castle, Castle Street, Neath". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 12 July 2015.

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