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Latitude: 53.2518 / 53°15'6"N
Longitude: -3.1299 / 3°7'47"W
OS Eastings: 324708
OS Northings: 373344
OS Grid: SJ247733
Mapcode National: GBR 6ZLV.51
Mapcode Global: WH76S.WJRH
Plus Code: 9C5R7V2C+P2
Entry Name: Flint Castle including Revetment Wall of Ditch
Listing Date: 11 September 1995
Last Amended: 11 September 1995
Grade: I
Source: Cadw
Source ID: 16403
Building Class: Defence
Also known as: Castell y Fflint
Flint Castle (Flint, Wales) -- Officials and employees
ID on this website: 300016403
Location: To NE of town centre overlooking estuary of River Dee.
County: Flintshire
Community: Flint (Y Fflint)
Community: Flint
Built-Up Area: Flint
Traditional County: Flintshire
Tagged with: Castle Archaeological site
First of castles built by Edward I during his conquest of North Wales; the town of Flint was founded at the same time, as a fortified market town. Unique great tower of the castle was based on the Tour de Constance at Aigues Mortes. Construction known to have begun 1277, but following Edward's treaty with Llewelyn ap Gruffudd, building slowed and not complete by 1282 when the town was burnt, and the castle besieged by Welsh forces. In 1399, Richard II surrendered to Henry IV at the castle. Following sieges in Civil War, castle dismantled on orders of Parliament, and by 1652 was almost buried in its own ruins.
Description: Ruinous. Brown, yellow, and red stone, quarried from site, and across Dee on Wirral. Inner bailey consists of almost square enclosure with sides of approximately 50m (E-W) by 40m (N-S), and corner towers. Medieval curtain wall survives to S, and at NW corner (most of other curtain walling is modern on line of medieval walls). South curtain wall has arched openings to N, with arrow slits and remains of gatehouse (E); 2 similar openings in NW wall, and traces of others. Round towers (approx 11m in diameter) at SW, NW, NE corners quarter-engaged in curtain wall; towers have remains of stairs and arrow slits. Bailey has foundations of buildings, and well. At SE corner is unique great tower, or donjon (approx 20m in diameter). Basement and part of one upper floor survive (but evidence that tower rose higher). Stone vaulted passage has steps down to central chamber of tower; arrow slits, latrine shutes, well to S. One of the 5 radial first floor rooms was chapel, facing E; stoup and springing for barrel vault. To SW of castle is section of revetment wall of ditch (tidal moat) to former outer bailey of Castle. Opposite Castle Street are modern steps on site of gateway (higher masonry to R). Wall parallel to Castle Ditch Street for approx 120 metres (broken towards N), then turns at right angles at SE end for 30 metres.
Scheduled Ancient Monument Cadw Ref F3.
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