Carreg Cennen Castle

Carreg Cennen Castle
Castell Carreg Cennen (Welsh)
Carmarthenshire, Wales
The south-east wall and cliff face of Carreg Cennen Castle
Carreg Cennen Castle
Coordinates	51°51′17″N 3°56′06″W / 51.8546°N 3.9349°W / 51.8546; -3.9349
Grid reference	grid reference SN66841911 Postcode: SA19 6UA
Site information
Condition	Ruined
Website	Castell Carreg Cennen
Site history
Materials	local Carboniferous Limestone
Battles/wars	Surrendered to Owain Glyndŵr following a siege.
Events	Demolition by Yorkists in Wars of the Roses
Listed Building – Grade I

Carreg Cennen Castle (Welsh: Castell Carreg Cennen) is a castle sited on a high rocky outcrop overlooking the River Cennen, close to the village of Trap, four miles south east of Llandeilo in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Castell Carreg Cennen means castle on a rock next to (the river) Cennen, the river name itself being a reference either to cen meaning lichen or perhaps a personal name.^[1]

The dramatic limestone precipice was originally the site of a native Welsh castle, possibly constructed by The Lord Rhys (d. 1197), although any remains of this castle have been subsumed by later English work. In 1277, during the conquest of Wales by Edward I, the English gained control of the castle. It was briefly retaken by Welsh forces in 1282, but was back under English control by the following year, when it was granted to the English baron John Giffard (d. 1299). The castle was unsuccessfully besieged by Owain Glyndŵr during the Welsh Revolt. During the Wars of the Roses it was surrendered to the Yorkists and slighted in 1462 to prevent further use.

The castle visible today was probably constructed by John Giffard and his son John (d. 1322).^[2] It is situated within the Brecon Beacons National Park and is now in the care of Cadw, the Welsh Government historic environment service.^[3]