Cardiff Castle

Cardiff Castle was established by the Normans in 1081 within the walls of a Roman fort. It served as the principal seat of Norman lordship in Glamorgan and later became the core of the Welsh Marcher lordships.

Why it mattered

• Chief Norman stronghold in south Wales
• Built over a Roman fort

Chronology (selected)

• 1081: William the Conqueror establishes the castle
• 1091: Robert FitzHamon seizes Glamorgan

Hub essays

• Region context: normans in wales and the march and the shared bibliography.
• Castles and fortification: Norman castles — motte to stone.

On the map

Use Open on map to fly to this pin in the Norman expansion era. Layers are teaching overlays — pair them with charters, excavation reports, and the works above.