Dolbadarn Castle (English: /dɒlˈbædɑːn/ dol-BAD-an; Welsh: Castell Dolbadarn Welsh pronunciation: [kastɛɬ dɔl'badarn]) is a fortification built by the Welsh prince Llywelyn the Great during the early 13th century, at the base of the Llanberis Pass, in northern Wales. The castle was important both militarily and as a symbol of Llywelyn's power and authority. The castle features a large stone keep, which historian Richard Avent considers "the finest surviving example of a Welsh round tower".In 1284 Dolbadarn was taken by Edward I, who removed some of its timbers to build his new castle at Caernarfon. The castle was used as a manor house for some years, before falling into ruin. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a popular destination for painters interested in Sublime and Picturesque landscapes.
Dolbadarn Castle was built in either the 1220s or the 1230s by Llywelyn the Great, at the base of the Llanberis Pass, overlooking the lake of Llyn Padarn in northern Wales.Traditionally the Welsh princes had not constructed castles, instead using undefended palaces called llysoedd, or courts.From the late 11th century onwards, the Normans had advanced into Wales, taking lands in the north and establishing a band of occupied territory in the south called the Welsh Marches. During the 12th century, some timber and earthwork castles began to be built but in small numbers.
Llywelyn the Great initially controlled the princedom of Gwynedd, but grew more powerful throughout his reign, extending his influence over much of Wales during the early years of the 13th century.Llywelyn was faced with several challenges, including dealing with the threat from the kings of England and maintaining his authority over the native Welsh.As part of this strategy, Llywelyn built Castell y Bere, an innovative stone Welsh castle, in the 1220s.Shortly afterward he began the first phases of Dolbadarn Castle, constructing the initial stone fortifications on the site, including two square stone towers.
The location of the castle was important both because it controlled an important mountain pass, and possibly because Llywelyn claimed authority as the lord of the mountains and coasts of Wales: several of his castles appear to have been located with such political symbolism in mind.It is also possible that Llywelyn may have built his castle on top of the remains of a previous fortification constructed by Maelgwn Gwynedd, a king of Gwynedd in the 6th century, although no such remains have been found.
As part of his strategy for dealing with the Marcher Lords, Llywelyn married his eldest son, Dafydd, to Isabella, the daughter of William de Braose, a powerful lord in Brecon, Builth and Abergavenny.The Marcher Lords had adopted a style of the stone castle that included circular keeps and an integrated system of curtain walls. Following Dafydd's marriage, Llywelyn appears to have started a second phase of building at Dolbadarn, probably in the 1240s, adding these elements to the existing castle.The prince was probably aiming not only to incorporate the latest military technology but also to create a castle of equal prestige to those of his new allies in the south.Traditionally the surrounding district of Is Gwyrfai had been run from the town of Llanbeblig; after the 1240s, this role was transferred to Dolbadarn.
#beautiful #drone #history #cinematic
Music supplied by: click.pstmrk.it/3s/uppbeat.io...
More Information can be found at Ref: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolbada...