Hawarden Castle

On July 25th 1839, Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone married Catherine Glynne of Hawarden.

A history of Hawarden's Castles:

The New Hawarden Castle and estate had previously belonged to the family of his wife, Catherine Glynne and is still owned by the Gladstone family, In its grounds are the ruins of Hawarden medieval castle, whose earthwork embankments date back to at least the Iron Age and was the site of a Norman motte and bailey castle, which went on to play an important role during the Welsh struggle for independence in the 13th century;.

1260's - Llywelyn ap Gruffydd was granted possession of the castle from Simon de Montfort's son Henry, but the agreement was reneged on by the English.

1265 - In retaliation Llywelyn destroyed the castle and captured Lord Robert de Montalt

1267 - Montalt had been returned to power at the castle but was required to swear to never again fortify the site, an agreement he did not keep, refortifying the castle with a masonry round keep.

1282 - Dafydd ap Gruffydd captured the castle and its constable, Roger de Clifford, thereby starting the final Welsh conflict with Norman England by the end of the year Llywelyn had been killed, and Dafydd fled, only to be captured and hanged, drawn and quartered in Shrewsbury the following year.

1294 - The castle was taken by Madog ap Llywelyn during a revolt.

1295 - The castle was retaken by the Edward I.

1642 - During the English Civil War, the castle was under Royalist control.

1643 - It was briefly captured by Parliamentarians, but was quickly restored to Royalist control.

1646 - The castle finally fell to the Parliamentarians and was slighted and never restored,

1752 - The New Hawarden Castle was erected and the old castle became part of the estates.