Castell Aberlleiniog: The Norman fortress on Anglesey

Castell Aberlleiniog, the castle of the mouth of the Lleiniog, is a motte and bailey fortress nestled strategically next to the Menai Strait, opposite the Norman castle at Abergwyngregyn. Construction occurred between 1080 and 1099 at the hands of Hugh d'Avranches, 1st Earl of Chester, when he conquered Gwynedd in 1088. Sitting on a very steep hill, the site provided a strategic position showing that visual communication was important to the Norman invaders.

Records show that Gruffudd ap Cynan laid siege to the castle in 1094 on his return from Ireland. The siege was successful, and 124 Norman defenders died in the battle. Gruffudd was later successful in driving Hugh out, and after this, Anglesey remained under the control of the Welsh until the arrival of Edward I two hundred years later. It is not known whether they made use of Castell Aberlleiniog.

The original Norman timber structure is long gone, replaced by a stone structure at some point prior to the mid-17th century, when it was destroyed by Thomas Cheadle, the constable of Beaumaris. The site was restored from 2008 and has been open to the public since 2016. The keep had broad ramparts fronted by a narrow wall rising to a parapet; each corner contained a round tower, the remains of which can still be seen.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons