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XIX.—Cardiff Castle: its Roman Origin

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2011

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Extract

Cardiff Castle can hardly be classed with the better-known English castles, nor has its history been a particularly stirring one. Nevertheless its position in Norman and Plantagenet times was one of considerable importance, for it was the seat of the chief lords of Glamorgan, or to use the ancient and more correct term, Morganwg. Its medieval history, however, scarcely concerns the present paper, which has to do with sundry remains of an earlier period; but should its perusal demand some reference to that phase of the subject, the concise history of this castle in the late Mr. George T. Clark's Mediæval Military Architecture in England may be consulted with advantage. It is, however, necessary to bear in mind that its definite history begins with the Norman Conquest of G-went and Morganwg in the eleventh century and the immediate circumstances which led to it. Prior to this event, the light of history gives place to shadowy tradition, and archaeology becomes our only safe guide.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © The Society of Antiquaries of London 1901

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References

page 341 note a Mr. Hope informs me that the town wall at Silchester is reduced in thickness in the same way.

page 343 note a It should be mentioned, however, that no stones which could be identified as voussoirs were found in or around the gate.

page 347 note a Vol. ii. 35.

page 349 note a Mr. Robert Drane, of this town, informs me that he has seen exposed during street alterations the remains of a thick wall, which appeared to run parallel with the south side of the castle area, at a distance of 450 feet, the south-east corner being immediately west of St. John's church. He suggests that at one time the castrum extended as far as this wall. The configuration of Church, Quay, and Womanby Streets favours his view; but this supposed extension of the castrum must, I think, be regarded as an early, and not a late, phase.