Prestatyn Castle, Medieval motte-and-bailey castle in Prestatyn, Wales.
Description
Prestatyn Castle is a medieval motte-and-bailey fortress featuring a circular mound surrounded by a rectangular fortified enclosure. Excavations in the 1910s revealed stone walls that once stood substantially taller than what remains visible today.
History
The fortress was established in 1157 when King Henry II granted it to Norman lord Robert Banastre for strategic control. Within a decade, Welsh forces under Owain Gwynedd took the site, marking the beginning of its decline as a military stronghold.
Culture
This site reflects Norman influence on the Welsh landscape through its military design. The fortress shape shows how newcomers fortified their control over the territory.
Practical
The site sits just south of Prestatyn railway station, making it straightforward to reach from the town center. The location remains open to visitors who can walk around the mound and observe the earthwork features from ground level.
Did you know?
What sets this fortress apart is its unusual arrangement where the outer defensive ring completely encloses the central mound rather than standing separately. This layout differs notably from typical examples of the style found elsewhere in Britain.
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