Photograph © GJT2004 Rhuddlan Castle

Image © CADW. Crown Copyright. Rhuddlan Castle was built under the order of the English King, Edward I - known as Long-Shanks. Why do you think that this English King was known by this name?

Rhuddlan Castle Fact File Building started in 1277 and was finished in 1282 The cost of the building was £9, s The architect (person who designed and oversaw the work) was James of St George

I am a knight who once lived in Rhuddlan Castle. Let me take you on a brief tour of the castle that I helped to defend.

Rhuddlan Castle The River Clwyd had to be canalised in order to allow goods to be shipped. It took 3 years and cost £755. The bridge was a swing bridge that allowed ships to pass Photograph © GJT 2004

Gillot’s Tower The ships would dock at this point. The goods would be carried from person to person, up the slope, and into the castle.

Photograph © GJT2004 Year 7 pupils showing how it was done in the Middle Ages. Goods had to be passed from person to person. Great care had to be taken not to drop and break the goods.

Photograph © GJT2004 The bridge to the Friary. Bees were kept in the Friary to produce honey for Edward I’s wife, Eleanor. Bees also produced wax that would be used to produce candles.

Gatehouses were well defended areas of a Castle. The gatehouses had four storeys. Photograph © GJT2004

The Gatehouse was well defended. Look closely at the picture opposite and you can see evidence of the gatehouse’s defences. One of the arrow loop windows An indentation in the wall where the Portcullis used to be Photograph © GJT2004

The Well. The source of fresh water for the castle. The Inner ward would contain apartments. They are no longer standing because they were made out of wood, but there is still evidence that they existed. Photograph © GJT2004

The dry moat at Rhuddlan castle. The moat was dry because the castle was built above sea level, thus water could not be directed towards it. Photograph © GJT2004

The castle today bares the scars of battle. During the English Civil War, the Parliamentarians attacked the castle so it could not be used by the King’s supporters. The English Civil War did not take place during the Middle Ages, but between Photograph © GJT2004

One of Rhuddlan’s Gatehouses. Photograph © GTJ2004

Rhuddlan Castle Town Gate Moat River Gate Gillot’s Tower Outer Ward Inner Ward Well East Gatehouse Friary Gate © Cadw. Crown Copyright. Click on the screen for labels END