Construction
The tip of a natural gravel bank was extended south to create a dam across the Nant Gledyr, leading to the formation of a large defensive lake south of the main castle. The dam was fortified on both sides and had a gatehouse to the south leading out to the town of Caerphilly.
The central island was the site of the main structure of the castle, comprising a retaining wall (the middle ward) with gatehouses east and west, and an inner ward with east and west gatehouses and circular corner towers.
To the west, a further ditch separated the spur forming a stone-revetted western island; the defences of which appear never to have been completed.
To the north a ditch and bank formed a defensive moat.
In the final phase the dam was extended north to form another lake to the north of the moat and bank, and a further moat and bank to the west, while an outer gatehouse and outwork in the middle of the dam gave access to the west.
The largest portion of the castle was built over a four-year period, 1268–1271 and, with the exception of the north dam, the layout was modified only slightly thereafter. The castle covered an area of 30 acres (120,000 m2), making it one of the largest in Europe.
Read more about this topic: Caerphilly Castle
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