The stone keep and curtain walls were constructed during this period, forming the core defensive features of Swansea Castle. The castle's design included thick stone walls, towers, and gatehouses to repel invaders and secure control of the area.
The castle became the administrative center for the Lordship of Gower, a region in southwest Wales granted to the Normans. As the seat of power, Swansea Castle played a crucial role in the governance and military oversight of the surrounding lands.
Medieval Conflicts and Welsh Resistance
The history of Swansea Castle is intertwined with the turbulent relations between the Norman/English lords and the native Welsh princes. Throughout the 12th and 13th centuries, the Welsh resisted Norman encroachment through a series of uprisings and battles.
Notably, in the late 13th century, during the reign of King Edward I of England, Swansea Castle saw military action as part of Edward’s campaigns to subjugate Wales. Edward I, known as the “Hammer of the Welsh,” constructed a series of imposing castles across Wales, including Caernarfon, Conwy, and Harlech, to assert control. Although Swansea Castle was smaller and less fortified compared to Edward’s “iron ring” of castles, it remained an important military outpost.
Despite the pressure from the English crown, the Welsh often launched raids and attacks on Norman castles, including Swansea, keeping the border regions unstable for decades. shutdown123