In the late eighteenth century, Rhuddlan first appears in the history books towards the end of the eighth century — in 796 when the Welsh were defeated at the great battle of Morfa Rhuddlan by King Offa of Mercia. That was after raising the bank that still bore his name — Offa's Dyke reaches the sea near Prestatyn, a few miles east of Rhuddlan.

Then in 921, the son of King Alfred of England, Edward the Elder (d. 924), established an earth and timber fort at Cledemutha, the 'Clwyd estuary'. But by 1063, Rhuddlan was the chief court of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn 'king of all the Welsh'.

That year his palace was destroyed by Earl Harold (later King Harold) and that is the year of Gruffudd's death — commencing a period of weakness and splits among the Welsh. In 1066, the Normans arrived with the intention of extending their power far beyond Offa's Dyke. Within seven years, the Norman, Robert of Rhuddlan — one of the supporters of Hugh, Earl of Chester — had built a motte-and-bailey castle here. The remains of a mound called Twthill is located just south of the present castle, on the site of Gruffudd ap Llywelyn's palace. It is also possible to see the remains of the bailey in the adjacent fields and some signs of a small borough remain. By 1086, there were 18 burgesses, a church and bath-house here.

Product Code: CPC00039

Published 2016 / 8 pages / ISBN 978-1-8576-358-3

Size 150mm (w) x 210mm (h) Welsh language

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