The Gatehouse website record for Castell y Bere

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Caerberllan; 'a castle in Merionydd or Ardudwy', Teberri

In the community of Llanfihangel y Pennant. In the historic county of Merioneth (Modern authority of Gwynedd, preserved county of Gwynedd).

Distinctive remains of a native Welsh castle, probably begun by Prince Llewelyn ab Iorwerth ('the Great') around 1221. Captured by Edward I forces in 1283 and some work done to refurbish the castle. Besieged in 1294. Archaeological and documentary evidence points to the probable destruction and abandonment of the site in 1294-5.
Castell y Bere was established by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth in 1221 on land seized from his son, Gruffudd. It was intended to secure Llywelyn's lordship and protect the southern periphery of his territory. Extensive masonry ruins remain of this castle complex, which as well as rectangular and round towers includes two characteristically Welsh elongated D-shape towers, the southernmost of which differs from typical design, being isolated from the main castle structure, overlooked by the rectangular keep, and accessible from the ground floor, thus rendering it defensively weak. The castle had a highly elaborate defended entrance with ditches and two gate-towers, each with a drawbridge and portcullis. Bere was surrendered to Edward I in April 1283, following the defeat of Llywelyn ap Grufudd the previous year. The castle was further fortified with the thick walls linking the south and middle towers, and a small borough was established. Neither the castle nor the borough remained in use after the 1294-5 Welsh uprising, however, during which Madog ap Llywelyn unsuccessfully attempted to re-take the castle for his family. The English abandoned the site and it disappeared from the historical record until the ruins were cleared in 1851 when Roman pottery and coins were recovered from the fabric of the well. (Coflein ref Avent, 2004)

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SH66750854

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's National Monument Record (Coflein) number is 93719
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 4931 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

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The information on this web page may be derived from information compiled by and/or copyright of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales, the four welsh archaeological trusts and other individuals and organisations. All the sources given should be consulted to identify the original copyright holder and permission obtained from them before use of the information on this site for commercial purposes. I do not receive any income from this site and I fund it myself.
The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.

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