Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle ( Welsh : Castell Caerdydd) is a medieval castle and a mansion in Victorian times in Cardiff, capital of Wales .

Contents

 * 1 Roman fort
 * 2 Medieval castle
 * 3 Victorian mansion
 * 4 Access and Events
 * 5 External links

Roman fort
At the place where now stands Cardiff Castle, were three successive Roman forts . The key was a late 3rd century structure, some walls are still visible. One of the gates of the Roman fort was rebuilt in Victorian times.

Medieval castle
Cardiff Castle was built for Robert FitzHamon in 1091, on the remains of the previous Roman fort (and using some of the walls still standing). The bulk of this Cardiff Castle was built of wood, in the usual motte-and-bailey style. The son of Robert Fitzhamon, Robert of Gloucester, rebuilt the castle in stone, including the twelve- slot tower which today is still visible. Robert III, Duke of Normandy was here by his younger brother, King Henry I, imprisoned from 1106 until his death in 1134. The revolt of Wales in 1183, the castle was attacked and severely damaged, but later rebuilt by Gilbert de Clare . A second attack late 13th century, during the reign of Llywelyn the Last, was also unsuccessful.

The castle was owned by the family Despenser in the 14th century. In 1317 was Llywelyn Bren put in prison here and executed because of his rebellion against the British. Four years later the castle was captured by the joint forces of the Welsh princes from the border with England, who sought King Edward II of overthrowing. During the reign of Owain Glyndŵr the castle was taken in 1404 by his supporters and the city on fire.Later, the castle came into possession of the Earls of Warwick, which aanbouwden living quarters on the west wall, including the Octagon Tower (octagonal tower). King Henry VII gave Cardiff Castle in 1488 with his uncle Jasper Tudor . In 1550 the castle was owned by the Herberts that made further additions to the building. During the English Civil War, they retained the castle for the king, but were overpowered by the troops of the supporters of the Long Parliament . In 1776 the castle was owned by the Earl of Bute . These family changed much on the building and the surrounding gardens.

Victorian mansion [ edit ]
The 19th-century part of Cardiff Castle

Early 19th century the castle was enlarged and adapted to the neo-Gothic style for John Crichton-Stuart, 2nd Marquis of Bute by the architect Henry Holland . The biggest transformation began in 1868 when the 3rd Marquis of architect William Burges ordered a grand reconstruction, the castle changed in a 19th-century fantasy of a medieval palace .

Access and events [ edit ]
The castle was donated by the Bute family in 1947 to the city of Cardiff. The castle is now a popular tourist attraction.

On display are covered include: In the castle took place several events. In 1948 Wales's basketball team defeated the English team during a match on the estate around Cardiff Castle. Important concerts in 1998, the Stereophonics Live at Cardiff Castle, and Green Day performed in 2000. The Cardiff University every summer guest at the castle for its summer ball.
 * The castle itself: In the castle are several rooms designed by architect Burges, to admire: the winter and summer room, the Chaucer Room, the Arab Chamber, the bedroom of Lord Bute and the Roof Garden.
 * The towers: The Barbican Tower (tower), Black Tower (Black Tower), Bute Tower (tower Bute), Clock Tower (Clock Tower), Guest Tower (guest tower) and Octagon Tower (octagonal tower). All these towers date from the 15th and 16th centuries and partly by Burges and partially modified by Holland.
 * The Bute Park: The most beautiful view of the towers can be seen from Bute Park, the extensive castle park that the castle still surrounds.
 * The military museums