Criccieth Castle

Criccieth Castle, on it's commanding headland overlooking Tremadog Bay, is one of those rare castles with a foot in both camps.  Criccieth's history is deeply entwined in the medieval conflict between Wales and England.  Originally a stronghold of the native Welsh princes, it was later annexed and extended by the English monarch, Edward I.The core of the castle - a powerful twin-towered gatehouse - is Welsh, built by Llywelyn the Great probably between 1230 and 1240.  The castle was taken by Edward's forces in 1283 and extensively refortified.