Wiston Castle

In 1092, Deheubarth was internally destabilised when Cadifor died, and his sons refused to accept the authority of Rhys ap Tewdwr, instead calling for a rival to assume the throne.

[6] Though Rhys managed to suppress the rebellion, he was killed in the following year, in the Battle of Brecon, while attacking Bernard de Neufmarche (the husband of Nest, granddaughter of the previous - and only - Welsh King of Wales).

[8] At the same time Normans also took much of the rest of South Wales (although according to an old Welsh legend, reported by the Tudor antiquarian John Leland, this conquest east of Deheubarth was at the request of Cadifor's surviving brother/son, Einion[9]).

[10] The Flemings maintained their culture and were an identifiable group for at least a century;[11] indeed the distinction between the Fleming-populated areas and the rest of Wales still leaves a strong mark in the local DNA.

[citation needed] In 1147, the Welsh led by Hywel ab Owain captured Wiston, now under control of Walter, but the Flemings soon got it back.

Towards the end of the century, Dungleddy (and the Lordship of Pembroke in general) came under pressure from the sons of Lord Rhys, who were trying to aid their father to re-establish Deheubarth.

The castle then came into the possession of Sir John Wogan (a man whose ancestry is now totally unknown), by completely unclear means.

[11] During the English Civil War some four centuries later in 1643, the Royalists established a small outpost at Wiston, perhaps in the abandoned motte.

Even this was then abandoned, without an engagement taking place, when (during the following year) parliamentary troops advanced into the area, led by Major-General Rowland Laugharne.

Wiston Castle, Pembrokeshire, May, 2018
Interior of Wiston Castle, Pembrokeshire
Inside the Wiston Castle
Approximately 50 steps leading to the rubble stone circular shell keep.