A castle was built at “Cenarth Bychan “, probably this site, by Gerald de Windsor, the Earl of Pembroke, in 1108: “…and he fortified it with ditches and walls and thought to place there for safe keeping his wife and sons and his wealth and all his valuables…” In 1109 Owain ap Cadwgan abducted...
Read more →Timeline: 1113 – Robert fitz Martin, Lord of Cemais, founded a Priory “…near the ancient cell of St. Dogmael…” He brought thirteen monks from Tiron in Normandy for that purpose. The reformed Benedictine Order of Tiron was founded that year by St. Bernard of Abbeville. 1118 – Robert fitz Martin brought another thirteen monks...
Read more →1093 - References to a castle established by Earl Roger de Montgomery at the Teifi estuary probably refer to the site at Old Castle, a mile downstream. 1094 – The early earthwork fortification at Old Castle was destroyed by the Welsh. 1110 – The present castle site was probably first occupied by Gilbert fitz...
Read more →A wooden bridge was probably built soon after the foundation of the town, and certainly already spanned the Teifi at Cardigan by 10th October 1136, when it collapsed beneath the weight of fighting men (or fleeing Normans!) during the Battle of Crug Mawr: “…When the bridge over the river Teifi was broken down, it...
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