Brecon Castle

{{Short description|Ruined castle in Brecon, Powys, Wales}} {{Use dmy dates|date=November 2019}} {{Infobox military installation | name = Brecon Castle | ensign = | ensign_size = | native_name = {{native name|cy|Castell Aberhonddu}} | partof =  | location = near Brecon, Powys, Wales | nearest_town =  | country = | image = Brecon Castle (geograph 4250259).jpg | alt = | caption = Brecon Castle | image2 =  | alt2 = | caption2 = | type = Castle | coordinates = {{coord|51.9491|N|3.3938|W|type:landmark_region:GB|display=title,inline}} | gridref = | image_map = | image_mapsize = | image_map_alt = | image_map_caption = | pushpin_map = Wales#UK | pushpin_mapsize = | pushpin_map_alt = | pushpin_map_caption = | pushpin_relief = | pushpin_image = | pushpin_label = | pushpin_label_position = | pushpin_mark = | pushpin_marksize = | ownership =  | operator =  | controlledby =  | open_to_public =  | site_other_label =  | site_other =  | site_area =  | code =  | built = c. 1093 | used =  | builder = | materials = Wood and stone | height =  | length =  | fate =  | condition = | battles = | events = | current_commander =  | past_commanders =  | garrison =  | occupants =  | designations = | website = | footnotes =  |module = {{Infobox designation list | embed = yes | designation1 = UK GRADE I | designation1_date = 16 January 1952 | designation1_number =6851 | designation1_offname =Remains of the Great Hall of Brecon Castle }} }} '''Brecon Castle''' ({{langx|cy|Castell Aberhonddu}}) is a castle in the town Brecon, Wales. It was built by the Norman Lord Bernard de Neufmarché in 1093, and was frequently assaulted by the Welsh in the 13th and 15th centuries. The castle's ownership changed numerous times. It began falling into ruin when Henry VIII executed the last dukes of Buckingham, who at the time controlled the castle. It was renovated and made into a hotel in the early 19th century. It is a Grade I listed building.<ref>{{cadw|desc=Remains of the Great Hall of Brecon Castle|num=6851|access-date=14 September 2025}}</ref>

==History== Bernard de Neufmarché, sometimes claimed to be William the Conqueror's brother,<ref name=hbc>{{cite web|last1=Parry|first1=Edward|title=History of the Brecon Castle|url=http://www.breconcastlehotel.co.uk/history-of-the-brecon-castle.pdf|website=breconcastlehotel.co.uk|accessdate=24 October 2015}}</ref> conquered Brycheiniog after killing Rhys ap Tewdwr at the battle of Brecon, which occurred around Easter 1093.<ref name="Philips2014">{{cite book|author=Alan Philips|title=Castles of Wales|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TSZVBQAAQBAJ&pg=PT28|date=4 November 2014|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=978-1-4456-4406-6|page=28}}</ref><ref name="Breverton2012">{{cite book|author=Terry Breverton|authorlink=Terry Breverton|title=Wales: A Historical Companion|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=I2qoAwAAQBAJ&pg=PT52|date=30 October 2012|publisher=Amberley Publishing Limited|isbn=978-1-4456-0990-4|pages=52}}</ref> The Normans subsequently invaded all of South Wales, defeating the local rulers.<ref name=hbc/><ref name=Breverton2012/> Bernard received the title of Lord of Brecon.<ref name=Philips2014/> He commenced the construction of the motte-and-bailey castle at Brecon in 1093,<ref name=britainexpress>{{cite web|title=Brecon Castle|url=http://www.britainexpress.com/attractions.htm?attraction=2454|website=britainexpress.com|accessdate=24 October 2015}}</ref> thereby creating the first stone castle in Wales. The stones were taken from the Roman town of Caer Badden.<ref name=Philips2014/> The castle was built at the merging point of the rivers Usk and Honddu, conferring the benefits of protection and hydropower for mills.<ref name=hbc/>

The castle later passed to the de Braose family. When the de Braoses rebelled against King John of England, John captured the castle in 1207. However, the de Braose family retook the castle during the First Barons' War. The Bohun family received the castle in 1241 and held it until 1373 when Humphrey de Bohun, 7th Earl of Hereford died without male issue. It eventually passed to the Stafford family,<ref name="Pettifer2000">{{cite book|author=Adrian Pettifer|title=Welsh Castles: A Guide by Counties|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Hs5DnKUSu9gC&pg=PA8|year=2000|publisher=Boydell & Brewer|isbn=978-0-85115-778-8|page=8}}</ref> of whom Edmund Stafford, 5th Earl of Stafford (1377-1403), of Stafford Castle, had married Anne of Gloucester (1383-1438), daughter and heiress of Thomas of Woodstock, 1st Duke of Gloucester (youngest son of King Edward III) by his wife Eleanor de Bohun, the elder daughter and co-heiress of Humphrey de Bohun, 7th Earl of Hereford. Edward Stafford, 3rd Duke of Buckingham (1477–1521), born in Brecon Castle,<ref>Cokayne, ''The Complete Peerage'', new edition, vol.XII no.1, p.390</ref> was executed for treason in 1521 and posthumously attainted in 1523, when all the family's estates escheated to the crown. Although some estates were later recovered by his descendants, Brecon Castle began the process of dilapidation.<ref name=hbc/> The castle was last besieged by Rowland Laugharne, a military commander for the Parliament, in 1645.<ref name=Pettifer2000/> The Welsh also attacked the castle numerous times, in 1215, 1231, 1233, 1264, 1265, 1273, and 1403.<ref name=Philips2014/> It was first captured by the Welsh in 1215, and it was captured again in 1264 and 1265.<ref name=Breverton2012/> The attacks of 1273 and 1403 resulted in serious damage.<ref name=Philips2014/>

Numerous renovations were carried out through the castle's history. A shell keep made of stone was constructed in the late 12th century (the keep was initially made of wood<ref name=hbc/>). In 1233, a bailey wall, also made of stone, was constructed. Two towers, one round and the other semi-octagonal, were built in the 13th century and early 14th century, respectively.<ref name=Philips2014/> A hall block was added in 1300.

The castle had become mere ruins by the end of the Georgian era.<ref name=britainexpress/> Renovations were begun in 1809 by Sir Charles Morgan of Tredegar House, and more than £7,000 had been spent on the repairs by 1814.<ref name=hbc/> The castle was made a hotel, which it currently continues to be.<ref name=britainexpress/>

==References== {{reflist|30em}}

Category:Grade I listed castles in Wales Category:Grade I listed buildings in Powys Category:Scheduled monuments in Powys Castle Category:1093 establishments in Europe Category:Hotels in Wales Category:11th-century establishments in Wales