Harlech Castle
"An ancient British fortress, called originally Twr Bronwen, from
Bronwen, the fair-bosomed sister to Bran ap Llyr, father of the great
Caractacus, was erected at Harlech, on a steep rock overhanging the
sea, by the early British princes, and occupied the site of the present
Castle, which was commenced by Edward I. in 1286. Owen Glendowe
seized this strong fortress in 1404, and held it for four years. Margaret
of Anjoii took refuge here in 1460, after the defeat of her husband,
Henry VI., at the battle of Northampton; and here she rested from
harassing warfare for a time. In the Civil War of the Roses, Harlech
was held for the Lancastrians by a Welsh chieftain, named Dafydd ap
Jevon ap Einon, who "held this fortress through the long period of nine
years in defiance of Edward IV.'s whole power, after his possession of
the crown." Extract from "Abbeys, Castles and ancient halls of England and Wales; their legendary lore and popular history" (Archive)
Harlech Castle is in the care of Cadw on behalf of the
National Assembly for Wales. Passes which give free admission to Cadw sites for three or seven days may be bought at staffed sites.
Note that there is free admission to a number of Cadw sites.
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