Castell y Bere

Castell y Bere
Llanfihangel-y-pennant, Wales
Castell y Bere
Castell y Bere is located in Wales
Castell y Bere
Castell y Bere
Coordinates52°39′29″N 3°58′17″W / 52.65818°N 3.9715°W / 52.65818; -3.9715
TypeLinear castle
Site information
OwnerCadw
ConditionRuined
Site history
BuiltBegan 1221
Built byLlywelyn the Great
In useOpen to public
MaterialsSiltstone
EventsWelsh Wars
Prince Madoc's Rebellion

Castell y Bere is a Welsh castle near Llanfihangel-y-pennant in Gwynedd, Wales. Constructed by Llywelyn the Great in the 1220s, the stone castle was intended to maintain his authority over the local people and to defend the south-west part of the princedom of Gwynedd. In 1282, war with Edward I of England resulted in the death of Llywelyn's grandson, Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, and Castell y Bere fell to English forces. Edward I expanded the castle further and established a small town beside it. In 1294 the Welsh leader Madog ap Llywelyn mounted a major revolt and the castle was besieged and apparently burnt. Edward did not repair it and it became ruined. Today it is in the hands of Cadw and operated as a tourist attraction.