Welsh Castle Quiz

Question #19

"I overlook a major river link to the sea, and my history as a fortified site stretches back to the days of the Roman occupation of Britain. The most striking thing about me is my tall motte on which rests my slight remains. In my first life as a castle I was made of earth and timber; then I graduated to stone. The year 1151 was a bad one for me. What castle am I and can you explain my riddle?"

Loughor Castle is located on the Gower Peninsula in south Wales. The site may have been occupied before the Romans built a fort here in about AD 75. The original ringwork castle at Loughor was constructed of earth and timber, and was built on top of the earlier Roman fort. Loughor was finally fortified in stone in the 13th century. The castle was destroyed (burned) in a Welsh uprising in 1151 but was rebuilt and remained viable until Edward I's final victory over the Welsh in 1282/83. Although the masonry remains of this modest castle are not very impressive, the great motte on which the castle rests, with its commanding views of the countryside in three directions, is a compelling enough reason to visit this site.

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