Castle challenge - #3 - Aberystwyth Castle

Aberystwyth Castle: Aberystwyth Castle is an Edwardian fortress that was built during the First Welsh War in the late 13th century. In 1282, the Welsh revolt against the English king was waged at Aberystwyth Castle and other places throughout Wales. The still-incomplete castle and its associated town were severely burned and briefly captured by the Welsh. 

As a result, the king's elite master mason, James of St. George, arrived at Aberystwyth to overhaul the building project. His associate, Master Giles of St. George, was left in charge of completing the work, while James returned to North Wales. Finally, construction finished in 1289, at the huge cost of 4,300 pounds. In 1294, the Welsh again attacked the castle, but this time, the concentric fortress proved invulnerable, and after reinforcements and supplies arrived by shipboard, the English effectively thwarted the Welsh onslaught.

In 1404, Owain Glyndwr seized the crumbling fortress. Within a few years the English regained possession but after 1408, Aberystwyth Castle lost its strategic value to the monarchy, and only minor repairs were attempted. During the Civil War, the castle became a victim of Oliver Cromwell's ruthless policy of slighting because the garrison sided with the king, Charles I. Most of the castle stone was pilfered by locals to build their homes. The castle also served as a prison to four French prisoners in 1415, while in 1637 a royal mint was established here.