Cilgerran Castle was built around 1108 and is supposed to be the same place as Cenarth Bychan. At Cenarth Bychan, Gerald of Windsors wife (Nest) was abducted by Owain ap Cadwgan only a year after she was married. Nest stayed with Owain for 3 years before she was returned to Gerald. The castle is situated to overlook two rivers, Teifi and Plysgog, and also at a spot between the Normans and the Welsh lands. In 1165, Lord Rhys took control of Cilgerran and it stayed with the Welsh until 1204 when the Earl of Pembroke, a Norman, captured it. Llywelyn the Great took it in 1215, however, William Marshall (the Earl) took it back in 1223. The two large round towers were constructed after Marshall regained control. Soon after Owain's Rebellion (about 1400), Cilgerran was abandoned and left to ruin. Cadw now has care of the site. |