16/03/2018
The History of Wales
16th March
On 16th March 1647 - Harlech Castle, the last Royalist stronghold of the English Civil War, surrendered to Parliament's forces after a 10 month siege.
Harlech Castle rests upon part of the Harlech Dome, a spur of rock almost 200 ft high, from which the land falls away sharply on the north and west, and a ditch cut into the rock protects the remaining approaches to the castle, it has been described as one of the finest examples of late 13th century and early 14th century military architecture in Europe.
In mythology, the site of Harlech Castle is associated with the legend of Branwen, a Welsh princess written of in the Mabinogian, this would refer to the Bedd Branwen Period of the early Bronze Age in Britain, covering the period between 1650 BC and 1400 BC.
It is thought that the site of Harlech Castle was later a Llys (Welsh royal court) which later became a castle of Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, what is known is that after the Norman invasion of Wales at around 1070, the kings of England and the Princes of Wales vied for control of North Wales and after the death of Llywelyn ap Grufydd in 1282, King Edward I of England wanted to fortify the newly conquered area.
1282 After Edward I's successful campaign in North Wales, he ordered the construction of a castle at Harlech
1289 Harlech Castle completed
1294 Harlech Castle besieged by Madog ap Llywelyn during a Welsh uprising, but the castle held out
1404 The castle was taken by Owain Glyndwr and became his residence and military headquarters for four years
1405 Owain Glyndwr held his second parliament at Harlech Castle
1408 English forces under the command of the future Henry V placed Harlech Castle under siege.
1409 Harlech Castle fell to the English.
1460 During the Wars of The Roses, Queen Margaret of Anjou fled to the castle and it was held by her Lancastrian supporters and became a base for their operations across the region.
1468 Harlech Castle taken by the Yorkists after a month's siege, which is credited with inspiring the song Men of Harlech.
1644 Prince Rupert appointed a local Royalist, Colonel William Owen, as the castle's constable, and Owen was entrusted with repairing the fortifications.
1647 The castle was surrendered to Parliamentary forces after a 10 month siege and was the last royal fortress to surrender in the war. The castle was no longer required for the security of North Wales and Parliament ordered it's slighting to make the castle unusable, however the orders were only partially carried out and thankfully it was not totally demolished.
1986 Harlech Castle gained World Heritage Status
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harlech_Castle - See more at: http://americymru.net/profiles/blogs/5th-may-welsh-castles-gain-world-heritage-status #.Uwxbbvl_tic
