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Historical Society

THE next event will be on Tuesday, 14 August.

A guided walk around Castell-y-Bere in the beautiful Dysynni Valley, led by Siân Roberts.

Meet 11am at Upper Bron-y-Graig car park to share cars.

Castell-y-Bere is one of the castles built by the princes of Gwynedd in order to defend their territory.

It seems to have been begun by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth (Llywelyn Fawr/Llywelyn the Great, 1173-1240) in 1221.

It is smaller than the castles built by the Norman and English conquerors of Wales and has distinctively Welsh architectural features.

It was added to at various times throughout the 13th century, including by Edward I after the conquest of Gwynedd in 1282-3.

It was abandoned after the revolt of Madog-ap-Llywelyn in 1294.

It is in the care of Cadw and this is their description of the site: “Today Castell y Bere is as wild and remote as it was when Llywelyn first arrived. It stretches along the summit of a rocky outcrop on the eastern side of the Dysynni valley. The picturesque and remote location makes it difficult to appreciate that this sprawling stronghold once controlled an important routeway running up from the coast at Tywyn northwards through the mountains towards Dolgellau and protected the southern border of Gwynedd.”

Siân Roberts is the secretary of HHS and a Blue Badge Guide.

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