Visit to Owain Glyndŵr's Sycharth Castle

On 14 ^th July 2006 OBHAG members were kindly guided around Sycharth Castle by Emyr and Carys Evans of the Llanslin Local History Society .

The original motte and bailey timber castle was possibly built before 1100 but nothing is known of the site's history until the late 14 ^th century. It is best known as the early home of the last Welsh Prince of Wales Owain Glyndŵr. His impressive house was built on top of the moated mound in 1390 and only lasted until 1403 when Prince Henry (later Henry V ) burnt it to the ground.

Court poet and bard, Iolo Goch has left us some vivid descriptions of the splendour enjoyed by Sycharth's top residents and guests. An account of a mid-19 ^th visit to Sycharth by George Borrow including his translation of Iolo Goch can now be read online Wild Wales Chapter 66

Photographs by Paul N Brown & Zia Robins