Flint is one of CADW’s free to visit sites and was the first castle built by Edward I as part of his campaign to subdue the Welsh. The castle is set on the bank of the River Dee and was apparently a days march from Chester. The map below shows the surrounding area including the next castle in the chain, at Rhuddlan.
Visiting Flint Castle
Flint is a ruined castle now and is free to visit. There is a small car park and it is well signposted and a scenic area to walk around, with delightful views of Connagh’s Quay power station too!
My Experience
As with all these sites, it is sometimes difficult to appreciate them fully without an aerial view. Flint Castle had a tidal moat and the keep was apparently modelled on that of Aigues Mortes, where Edward I departed for his crusade. The site is not particularly defensible but access to the sea meant it could resist sieges. Like many castles, it was slighted after the English Civil War
Flint Castle Photo Gallery
History
Flint was the first castle of what would later become known as Edward I’s “Iron Ring”. A chain of fortresses designed to encircle North Wales and oppress the Welsh. Its construction began almost immediately after Edward I began the First Welsh War in 1277.
Five years later Welsh forces under the command of Dafydd ap Gruffydd, brother of Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, besieged the castle in an attempted uprising against the English Crown. In 1294 Flint was attacked again during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn; this time the constable of the castle was forced to set fire to the fortress to prevent its capture by the Welsh. The castle was later repaired and partly rebuilt.
With the conclusion to the Welsh Wars, English settlers and merchants were given property titles in the new town that was laid out in front of the castle. The plantation borough was protected by a defensive ditch with a wooden palisade on earth banking. Its outline remains visible in streets patterns.
In 1399 Richard II of England was held by Henry Bolingbroke at Flint before being returned to London.
During the English Civil War, Flint Castle was held by the Royalists. It was finally captured by the Parliamentarians in 1647 after a three-month siege. To prevent its reuse in the conflict, the castle was then slighted in accordance with Cromwell’s destruction order. The ruins are what remain today.
By the 19th century part of the site’s outer bailey was used as Flintshire’s County Jail. A quarry operated nearby.
References
The CADW site, with visitor information, is here.
There is a detailed history at the excellent castles forts battles website here.
There is an very useful guide to the castle here.
The condensed history above is copied from the Wiki page here.