At the time of its building in the late 13th century, it was a revolutionary masterpiece of military planning   One of Henry III's most powerful and ambitious barons, Gilbert de Clare (lord of Glamorgan), built this castle.  His purpose was to secure the area and prevent lowland south Wales from falling into the hands of the Welsh leader Llywelyn the Last: who controlled most of mid and north Wales.  Llywelyn realised the threat and tried but failed to prevent the castle from being built; it was begun on 11 April 1268; was attacked by Llywelyn in 1270; and was begun again in 1271.  This time it was completed without hindrance.   Apart from the remodelling of the great hall and other domestic works in 1322-6 for Hugh le Despenser, no more alterations were carried out - making it a very pure example of late 13th-century military architecture.

This painting measures 11.75 by 7.75 inches: it is mounted in a cream mount with a matching back-board measuring 16 x 12 inches overall.  It is available mounted only, or mounted and framed in a plain gold frame.

We also provide limited edition museum-quality giclee prints (the process of making fine art prints from a digital source) on watercolour paper, signed and numbered by the artist.  We can also make this painting available as a personalised greeting card.