Kidwelly Castle

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kidwelly-castle

Kidwelly Castle was built by the Normans and was taken repeatedly by Welsh forces. It is forever associated with Princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd (1100-1136), who married Gruffydd ap Rhys Tewdwrh (1081-1137). Gwenllian led the Deheubarth army in attacking the castle but was killed nearby at Maes Gwenllian (‘Gwenllian’s Field’). For many years, a headless woman was seen there searching for her head. Another Carmarthenshire story refers to a tree (Merlin’s Oak) which used to grow in Carmarthen: "When Merlin's Oak shall tumble down, then shall fall Carmarthen town". When the rotten tree was removed in 1978, Carmarthen suffered its worst floods in living memory. Llyn Fan y Fach was home to the Lady of the Lake, who married a local farm boy. Their sons - the Physicians of Myddfai - became the first of many generations of expert healers and herbalists. In The Mabinogion, the Twrch Trwyth, a cursed boar, ran riot across Carmarthenshire, pursued by Culhwch and King Arthur who were trying to fulfil one of forty prenuptial challenges set by the giant Ysbaddaden, father of Olwen – Culhwch’s betrothed.  

Painting - copyright Pete Fowler / Literature Wales
Written piece - Aneirin Karadog, Bethan Hindmarch, Emily Blewitt, Miriam Elin Jones and Keira Spencer / Pete Fowler / Literature Wales

Kidwelly Castle

  • Kidwelly Castle was built by the Normans and was taken repeatedly by Welsh forces. It is forever associated with Princess Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd (1100-1136), who married Gruffydd ap Rhys Tewdwrh (1081-1137). Gwenllian led the Deheubarth army in attacking the castle but was killed nearby at Maes Gwenllian (‘Gwenllian’s Field’). For many years, a headless woman was seen there searching for her head. Another Carmarthenshire story refers to a tree (Merlin’s Oak) which used to grow in Carmarthen: "When Merlin's Oak shall tumble down, then shall fall Carmarthen town". When the rotten tree was removed in 1978, Carmarthen suffered its worst floods in living memory. Llyn Fan y Fach was home to the Lady of the Lake, who married a local farm boy. Their sons - the Physicians of Myddfai - became the first of many generations of expert healers and herbalists. In The Mabinogion, the Twrch Trwyth, a cursed boar, ran riot across Carmarthenshire, pursued by Culhwch and King Arthur who were trying to fulfil one of forty prenuptial challenges set by the giant Ysbaddaden, father of Olwen – Culhwch’s betrothed.  

    Painting - copyright Pete Fowler / Literature Wales
    Written piece - Aneirin Karadog, Bethan Hindmarch, Emily Blewitt, Miriam Elin Jones and Keira Spencer / Pete Fowler / Literature Wales

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