Builth Castle - an introduction

A preliminary look at Builth castle

The town of Builth has long been associated with the death of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last native Prince of Wales.

The castle origins in Builth supposedly date from 1095, the form and location of this castle are not clear, but it was probably of wood and earth. There are suggestions that the castle above the Wye was erected on the site of a Roman fort, but there seems little evidence to support this until excavations are carried out on the site.

There is another castle at Caer Beris to the west of the present town and near the river Irfon. Some believe that this was the original Builth castle, and the present site was a later building.

The present mounds give a good idea of the motte and bailey castle, and even in its present state and surrounded by modern development, it is easy to see what an imposing fortification Builth castle was. With a wooden structure atop of the motte with a wooden protective pallisade on the steep northern side. Allowing for erosion of the earth motte over the years and adding the height of the wooden structure this must have been awe-inspiring for the local population, and any warring factions.

A memorial to the death of Prince Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, the last native Prince of Wales can be found at Cilmery/Cilmeri (or Cefn-y-Bedd) 2 miles to the west of the town on the A483.

A leaflet published by The Abbey Cwmhir Heritage Trust gives fairly comprehensive information on Llywelyn and his death.