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4 unusual facts about Bristol Castle


Bristol Castle

Henry's only legitimate son William drowned in 1120, so Henry eventually declared his one legitimate daughter Matilda his heir.

It had "two courts, and in the north-west part of the outer court there is a large keep with a dungeon, said to have been built of stone brought by the red Earl of Gloucester from Caen in Normandy. In the other court is an attractive church and many domestic quarters, with a great gate on the south side, a stone bridge and three ramparts on the left bank leading to the mouth of the Frome. Many towers still stand in both the courts, but they are all on the point of collapse.".

Gwenllian of Wales

Dafydd's two young sons, heirs to the Principality or Kingdom of Wales, were taken to Bristol Castle, where they were held prisoner; Llywelyn ap Dafydd died there in 1287, four years after his capture, and was buried in the Dominican Church.

Roger de Leybourne

He joined Edward in autumn 1259 when he allied with Simon de Montfort, and was made custodian of Bristol Castle in November.


River Frome, Bristol

When Robert, 1st Earl of Gloucester, rebuilt Bristol Castle, the Frome was diverted (at present-day Broad Weir) to form the castle moat, so that the city was entirely surrounded by water.


see also

Dorchester railway station

Dorchester West railway station Located on the Bristol/Castle Cary-Weymouth "Heart of Wessex" line.