Cardiff Castle is steeped in a rich history which stems 2,000 years into the past from its days as a Roman fort. In this guide, I'll break down the history of Cardiff Castle in a simplified and easy-to-understand way.
Cardiff Castle History Timeline
Here is a brief timetable of the key events in Cardiff Castle's history:
| Date | Key Events |
|---|---|
| 1st century | The Roman fort was first built around 55AD |
| 11th century | Norman motte and bailey castle built by Robert Fitzhamon. |
| 12th century | Rebuilt using stone by Robert the Consul. Involved in conflicts between the Normans and the Welsh. |
| 15th century | Castle stormed during the revolt of Owain Glyndŵr in 1404. |
| 18th/19th century | Cardiff Castle falls into the hands of the Bute family in 1766. The 3rd Marquess of Bute makes signfiicant changes. |
| 20th century | The castle and its grounds are gifted to the City of Cardiff. |
| Today | Cardiff Castle is the most visited tourist attraction in Wales |
History of Cardiff Castle
Roman Fort (1st century)
Cardiff Castle, as we know it today, is a Norman castle built by Robert Fitz Hamon, Lord of Gloucester, in the 11th century. However, a fort has stood on this site since the 1st century (during Roman times) which is why it is claimed to be over 2,000 years old.
The Roman fort was first built in 55AD and was strategically located next to the River Taff. In fact, the name of the city, Cardiff, comes from Caer-Taff which means 'Fort on the Taff'.
Back then the sea came in much closer so the fort would have overlooked the harbour and was used to protect against pirates.
Archaeological evidence suggests that there were up to four Roman forts constructed on the site, all of different sizes and at different times.
Some of the masonry from the Roman period can still be seen around the castle today with the biggest section found in the visitor centre where some of the Roman walls have been preserved (pictured below).
Norman Stronghold (11th century)
Around 1091, a motte and bailey castle was built on the site by Robert Fitz Hamon, Lord of Gloucester, to control his newly conquered territory in Glamorgan, South Wales. The original castle was built from timber.
After Fitzhamon's death, the castle was gifted to his son-in-law, Robert Fitzroy (also known as 'Robert the Consul’) who rebuilt it using stone during the 12th century. This stone keep can still be seen in the castle today (pictured below).
Conflicts Between Normans and Welsh (12th - 15th centuries)
Over the next few centuries, the castle would become involved in many conflicts between the Norman lords and the Welsh Princes.
Most notably, the castle was involved in the uprising of Owain Glyndŵr in the 15th century. He fought to end English rule in Wales.
In 1404, Cardiff Castle was stormed and taken by rebels loyal to Glyndŵr. They destroyed much of the castle and burned down most of Cardiff during the process.
The Butes (18th - 19th century)
In 1766, Cardiff Castle passed into the hands of the Bute family who were wealthy and powerful in Cardiff at the time. This marked a new era for the castle.
The Bute family did not live at Cardiff Castle, their family home was on the Isle of Bute in Scotland. However, they stayed here while overseeing their business in Cardiff.
Under the 3rd Marquess of Bute, the castle underwent significant changes, especially to its interior. These renovations were overseen by chief architect William Burges who carefully designed each room around a theme.
Here are some images of the different rooms in the mansion of Cardiff Castle:
The 3rd Marquess of Bute also owned other Welsh castles including Castell Coch, just outside of Cardiff.
He commissioned the same architect, William Burges, to renovate this castle too. If you are able to visit both, you'll notice how similar the interiors are in design, although they look very different on the outside.
Recent History (20th century)
During the Second World War, Cardiff Castle’s tunnels were used as air raid shelters for the citizens of Cardiff. It is said that when the air raid sirens sounded, almost 2,000 people flocked to the shelter for safety.
In 1947, the castle fell into the hands of the 5th Marquess of Bute. However, to avoid considerable inheritance tax, he sold off much of the estate and gifted the castle and its grounds to the City of Cardiff.
Today, Cardiff Castle is one of the most important historical attractions in Wales and in 2021 it was the most-visited paid tourist attraction in Wales (see full list of most-visited tourist attractions).
What Type of Castle is Cardiff Castle?
The original Cardiff Castle, before the Victorian adjustments, was a motte and bailey castle.
Originally, motte and bailey castles were constructed with timber which made them exceptionally quick to build. This was necessary during the period of the Norman Conquest when Norman forces needed to erect castles quickly to control and subdue newly conquered territories.
The motte is an artificial mound made from Earth and stones. The mound was covered with clay to prevent the erosion of the stones
On top of the motte is a building known as the keep. The keep at Cardiff Castle was originally built with timber but later rebuilt from stone. The stone keep can still be seen today (pictured above).
The keep would have been reserved for the lord of the castle and would have been accessible via a wooden staircase
The courtyard surrounding the motte is known as the bailey. This would have housed buildings such as stables, kitchens, storerooms and living quarters for those working at the castle. The bailey is surrounded by a large wall for protection.
Who Lived in Cardiff Castle?
During its early life, Cardiff Castle quickly changed hands through battles, marriages, and divorce.
From the 13th century onwards, it was passed through several noble families before being gifted to the City of Cardiff.
Here is a rundown of the families who lived in Cardiff Castle:
| 1217-1314 | The De Clares |
| 1317-1416 | The Despensers |
| 1416-1449 | The Beauchamps |
| 1449-1486 | The Nevilles |
| 1486-1551 | The Tudors |
| 1551-1776 | The Herbets and Windsors |
| 1776-1947 | The Butes |
Today, nobody lives in Cardiff Castle because it's owned by the City of Cardiff and open as a tourist attraction.
Cardiff Castle and the Marquesses of Bute
Cardiff Castle was owned by the Bute family from 1766 until 1947 when it was gifted to the City of Cardiff.
The Bute family brought great power to Cardiff and oversaw the transformation of the city into one of the leading exporters of coal in the world. They also transformed the castle, unearthing much of its Roman past that we know about today
Most of the renovations we can see today are the work of the 3rd Marquess of Bute who inherited the castle in 1848 (at just six months old) and owned it until his death in 1900.
In 1865 the architect William Burges was invited to oversee renovations of the castle in a partnership that lasted for 16 years. During this time, the castle was transformed into the Neo-Gothic palace we see today with extravagant interiors and a brand-new clock tower (pictured below).
Related Questions
What is Cardiff Castle Famous For?
Cardiff Castle is famous as one of Wales' most-visited paid tourist attractions. It is best known for its original Norman keep and the extravagant interiors that were added in the 19th century.
Does Cardiff Castle Have a Moat?
Cardiff Castle had a moat at one point, however, it was filled in in the 1770s during renovation work.
Published: 14 July 2022 · Last updated: 8 October 2023