Rhuddlan Castle

#36 & 146 Rhuddlan Castle
Clwyd, Wales
1277-1282
This is NOT an official Lego site

Rhuddlan Castle was designed by Master Bertram, the English king's engineer, but actually built in 1277-82 for Edward I by the famous Master James of St. George. Built on a site in North Wales recognized as strategic, it replaced a nearby motte castle built about 1070. Rhuddlan is a concentric castle with an almost square inner bailey and a polygonal outer bailey ringed with towers and surrounded by a wide artificial moat on three sides and the River Clwyd on the fourth. There are massive twin-towered gatehouses at the east and west corners, and single cylindrical towers at the other two.

Llywelyn the Last's forces attacked the castle while construction was nearing completion in March 1282, and stole some supplies and did so mdest damage to the castle, which was repaired in 1285. The castle saw action in 1400 at the beginning of the rebellion led by Owain Glyn Dŵr, only the village was damaged. Once completed, Rhuddlan never capitulated until 1646, when the Royalist garrison surrendered to the Parliamentarians and Cromwell had Rhuddlan partially demolished.

Photos of the Lego Model Under construction December 2014 - January 2015 The rebuilding of this castle was inspired by Kate Sullivan, Associate Director of Equinox Communications, which does publicity and promotion for Cadw: Welsh Government Historic Environment Service. There is a time-lapse video of the construction of the model, produced by Jamie Robins of Equinox, on the Cadw website: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7Sb529wNhs My sincere thanks as well to Bill Zajac, the Heritage Bill Officer at Cadw, for his invaluable assistance *with details of 13th century Rhuddlan!*

My model of Rhuddlan was paid out on December 20...	and within 48 hours the inner castle was outlined and the outer moat well under way.	On Christmas Day work concentrates on the works at river's edge...	with protective towers and gates for supplies to enter via the sea.


On December 28 there is a substantial hill taking shape...	to add to the protection of the southwest aspect of the castle.	By New Years Day, the river side is practically finished...	and construction of the outer wall is beginning to rise from the moat.


On January 10, the outer castle is complete...	with the main outer gate into Rhuddlan town...	and the fascinating stair turrets loading down into the dry moat.	AND the "outline" of the inner castle has risen to its actual final level!


By January 19 I've designed and begun to construct the residential ranges that line the inner bailey...	So on January 25 the quarters for the king and queen were basically done,	And some work had also begun on the towers	The well near the center of the courtyard is covered.


On January 28 towers have risen to the level of the wallwalk.	Both the east and west gate- houses having working portcullises.	Both the royal and service ranges are complete...	and construction of the battlements and upper towers has begun!

Photos of the Lego Model built December 2014 - January 2015

This view of the finished castle highlights Gillot's Tower & the Dock Gate.	From the WSW view across the River Clywd is impressive.	The west view not only highlights the River Gate but the massive West Gatehouse	The view of Rhuddlan from the NW features the Town Gate, 2 of the 3 stair turrets into the moat, and the entrance to the kitchen.


The castle as seen from the north shows the town side of the outer defenses.	The wide dry moat permits infantry and archers alike to hone their skills.	The East Gatehouse, virtually identical to the West, can be appreciated in this view.	Finally the view from the ESE show both the Friary Gate and the notably simpler turrets of the outer curtain wall away from Rhuddlan Town.


Here's a picture of the Dock Gate from the inside.	The inside of the Town Gate.	A close-up of the Friary Gate.	The arrowslits of the outer curtain wall (almost vanished in modern times).


The kitchen door which probably also acted as postern. I put the box machicolation above it.	With my 12-sided tower design, it was interesting to place the wall walk door in the center.	The East and West Gate- house's twin towers presented no such challenge.	Here's a close-up of the roof of one of the towers.


A gatehouse doorway with portcullis up and doors open for your visit!	A view from one gate- house to the other.	This the entirely half-timber service and guest range, now completely vanished.	The foundations can still be seen for the more substantial royal residences lining to north half of the inner court.

Photos of the Lego Model Built November 1990

West Northwest View (with a Lego counterpart)	West View	Westsouthwest View

Build Your Own This is obviously the 1990 castle plan. My plan and elevation for the 2014-5 castle is too big for me to digitalize. Sorry.

Lego Plan


Painting of the Castle	Bucks Engraving of Rhuddlan


Northeast View	Entrance View