Hidden Secrets

Founded by Henry Beaumont, Earl of Warwick soon after 1106 when he was granted the Lordship of Gower by King Henry 1 is Swansea Castle. During the 12th century, control of the Lordship of Gower was fiercely contested by the Welsh and Normans, culminating in a ten-week siege of Swansea Castle in 1192 by the powerful Prince of Deheubarth, Rhys ap Gruffudd - aka Lord Rhys. the castle was saved and in 1203, King John granted the Lordship of Gower to the illustrious Braose family who had a long and turbulent involvement with the site. Sporadic Welsh attacks continued and in 1217 Rhys Grug - son of Lord Rhys - destroyed the castle and successfully expelled the Normans from Gower.

During the 13th century a large rectangular bailey was added to the South and West of the Old Castle. In the South-West corner, William de Braose built an independent suite of accommodation for his family. It was called "le Newerke", or the New Castle, which survives in ruins today.

During the 16th century, Swansea Castle took more of an administrative role. A town hall was built within the New Castle and the North-East tower was made into a prison. Slowly, buildings were constructed all around the New Castle. The courtyard contained the meat market and the main part of the castle became the poorhouse. During the 19th century the North-East tower housed debtors, the main castle became the drill hall for the local militia, and the town hall was replaced by the General Post Office. Later the buildings housing the printing presses of the Cambria Daily Leader (later the South Wales Evening Post) were built within the castle's courtyard.

Following some bomb damage during World War 11, the site of both the Old and New Castles was cleared of buildings. Cadw now owns the ruins and the City and County of Swansea own the surrounding open spaces. Together they have recently excavated and cleared the debris and footings of the modern buildings as the first stage in reopening the castle to visitors - which is how I spent my Saturday afternoon - exploring the hidden secrets that lay beneath and in the ruins.