Читать книгу The Ceredigion and Snowdonia Coast Paths. The Wales Coast Path from Porthmadog to St Dogmaels онлайн

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A major change to the political map came with the arrival of the Normans, although in West Wales the conquest did not fully happen until the time of Henry I (who reigned from 1100 until 1135), when, for example, he gave Ceredigion to the powerful Richard fitz Gilbert de Clare, who built the castles at Cardigan and Llanbadarn. In the succeeding centuries the history of West Wales is complex as various rulers arose to drive back the Normans, only to be overthrown themselves.

Among them, towards the end of the 12th century, was Llewelyn the Great, who by 1234 controlled all of North Wales. After his death Henry III once more took control of many of the Welsh territories, including Llanbadarn. But by 1257 Llewelyn’s grandson, Llewelyn ap Gruffydd, sought to restore the former position, notably in the two wars of 1276–1277 and 1282–1283. With Llewelyn’s death on 11 December 1282, defeat was on hand. The royal army advanced, taking, among other places, Ceredigion. Edward I, already building new castles elsewhere in Wales (as well as strengthening a number of existing Welsh castles, such as Llanbadarn) now initiated a further phase of castle-building, including Harlech Castle.