Harlech Castle

Castle in Wales, built by Edward I 1285–90 at a cost of just under £8,000. Besieged by the Welsh 1294–95 without success, it was taken by Owain Glyndwr in 1404 and retaken by Talbot in 1408. It was captured by Yorkists in 1468, giving rise to the famous song ‘Men of Harlech’.

By the 16th century it was in ruins except for one tower used as a jail. One of the last places to hold for the King in the Civil War (1642–6), it resisted siege by Colonel Jones but later surrendered to General Mytton. It was subsequently slighted (destroyed) by Cromwell.