Pembroke Castle

The pale stone ramparts of Pembroke Castle seem to grow naturally from the rocky outcroppings as if the headland itself raised this mighty medieval fortress.

Looking up at the towering gatehouse and soaring curtain walls, you can practically hear the echo of sieges long past and imagine knights of old guarding the castle walls. Even today, standing below the dramatic castle remains an experience charged with history and drama.

The Imposing Stronghold of Pembroke Castle

The location of Pembroke Castle was strategically chosen for its natural defenses. With the rocky coastline providing protection on one side and the river hindering attack from inland, this headland was an ideal place for an impenetrable stronghold. The first castle built here in 1093 was a fairly simple fortification of earth and timber. But over the next few centuries, Pembroke Castle was expanded into a massive complex guarded by concentric curtain walls and bristling with defensive towers. Between the natural fortifications and manmade fortifications, Pembroke Castle presented a daunting challenge to any invading army.

For much of the Middle Ages, Pembroke Castle stood as a bulwark of Norman and Anglo-Norman control in southwest Wales. It successfully withstood everything from local Welsh uprisings to full-scale sieges and assaults. But Pembroke Castle would prove to be more than just a military strongpoint. This storied fortress would also play a pivotal role in the unfolding of British history.

A Royal Stronghold and Birthplace of Henry VII

Though Pembroke Castle was founded by the Normans and long held by Anglo-Norman earls, it also became associated with British royalty through the Plantagenet dynasty. When William Marshal married Isabel, the daughter of Strongbow and heiress to the Earldom of Pembroke, this passed the castle into his possession. As a prominent statesman and knight, Marshal served several English kings. Through his grandson, the Earldom of Pembroke and control of Pembroke Castle shifted to the Plantagenet royal family in the 14th century.

It was in one of the inner chambers of Pembroke Castle that King Henry VII was born in 1457. At the time, Pembroke Castle was held by his uncle Jasper Tudor. The massive Norman keep provided a secure location for the birth of the boy who would go on to win the throne and establish the Tudor dynasty. Henry VII’s ancestral ties to Pembroke Castle were so strong that he named his first-born son and heir Arthur in remembrance of the legendary King Arthur said to have been born at the castle.

In the late 15th century, Pembroke Castle was upgraded to withstand the new threat of artillery and gunpowder weapons. Under the oversight of Lord Herbert, new outer fortifications were constructed, existing walls strengthened, and cannon platforms added. State-of-the-art for the period, these new fortifications were put to the test during the Civil War sieges of the 17th century.

Centuries of Sieges and Struggles

Due to its strategic location and importance, Pembroke Castle was dragged into various regional power struggles over the centuries. As Anglo-Norman and Welsh forces battled for control of southwest Wales in the 12th-13th centuries, Pembroke Castle was subjected to numerous sieges. In 1189, just a few years after the castle’s mighty stone walls were erected, Pembroke survived a five-week siege by Rhys ap Gruffydd. It continued to be a contested stronghold during the turbulent 13th century as well.

In 1452, Pembroke Castle underwent a seven-week siege during the Wars of the Roses between the Houses of Lancaster and York. Despite determined efforts, Yorkist forces were unable to capture the well-fortified castle. This was just one of many sieges Pembroke Castle endured during centuries of medieval warfare.

But perhaps the most devastating siege came in 1648, when Parliamentary forces besieged and captured Pembroke during the English Civil War. Cannon fire and mines collapsed parts of the castle walls. A siege tower allowed direct assault on the battered defenses. Though valiantly defended by just 80 Royalist troops, Pembroke Castle finally surrendered after a 48-day siege. This would prove to be the end of the castle’s long history as an active fortification.

Over 300 years later, Pembroke Castle has risen from a ruined state to become one of Britain’s most magnificent medieval castle ruins.

Visiting Wales’ Mighty Medieval Stronghold

For anyone visiting south Wales, Pembroke Castle should rank high on the list of must-see destinations. As one of the country’s most striking medieval castles, it offers an exciting glimpse into the past. Walking inside the sturdy fortified walls gives you a sense of the power and prestige Pembroke Castle possessed in its heyday. Meandering through the various halls and chambers provides an insight into medieval life, from great banquets in the Great Hall to dark, cramped conditions in the cellars. Climbing the spiral stairway inside the cavernous Norman keep is an experience that transports you back centuries in time.

But beyond its tangible history and architecture, Pembroke Castle evokes a romantic aura of legends and stories passed down through generations. Gazing up at the soaring Round Tower, you can almost envision King Arthur riding out with his knights of the Round Table. Looking out over the coastal cliffs, you can imagine the castle fortifications being battered by an invading fleet emerging from the misty sea. Even standing in the room where Henry VII was born ignites the imagination about young Henry’s future destiny as King of England. That rich sense of history and myth is part of what makes Pembroke such a meaningful site to visit.

Whether you admire the formidable medieval architecture, soak in the storied history, or simply enjoy the dramatic clifftop setting, Pembroke Castle is one of those iconic castles that must be seen to be believed. It’s undoubtedly a highlight of any visit to southern Wales.

How to find Pembroke Castle

Map to Pembroke Castle Map and directions

Pembroke Castle address Pembroke Castle, Castle Walk, Pembroke, Pembrokeshire, Wales, SA71 4LE, United Kingdom

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