Denbigh Castle

By Crusader1307

Denbigh Castle is located in Denbighshire, Wales. A partial “Spur”-design, Denbigh Castle was constructed to counter the English advances of King Edward I (1282). An Inner and Outer Ward System which featured 15-foot Curtain Walls and a reinforced Gatehouse, added to 5 Round Defensive Towers. Attacked and taken in 1294 by The English, by 1295 it was again in Welsh hands. This time inner reinforced walls were added (and raised), as was a Donjon, Great Hall and supportive buildings.

The overly large Gatehouse featured extensive “Murder Holes” and then “State of The Art” Defensive technology deployed for anti-personnel usage. A moderate sized Prison was also added. After the death of Denbigh's “last” Welsh Lord, local English (and Welsh) began to dismantle the Castle to reuse the stone for the further building and growth of the local Village/City (Denbigh). Rebuilt (and renovated) by Loyalist Forces during The English Civil War, the Castle was besieged for 6-months – until it fell to Parliamentarian Forces. Although slighted by them, Denbigh Castle still served in the capacity of a Prison for Loyalits. With The Restoration of The English Monarchy (Charles II), Denbigh Castle was left to ruin. It was renovated to it's present state in the 1930s.