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. Present day Flint Castle, which has been managed as public monument for 90 years, is now maintained by Cadw, a Welsh-government body that protects, conserves and promotes the building heritage of Wales. Access is free and via a path. Most parts of the castle, such as the isolated keep, are open to the public. In mid August 2009, the agency temporarily closed Flint Castle to the public because of problems with anti-social behaviour. Cadw said youths were drinking on the site and vandalising the castle. Later works In 1838 J. M. W. Turner painted a watercolour of the castle. was a Royal Navy launched in 1943, named after Flint Castle. Constable From 1284 to 1935 the Constable of Flint Castle served ex officio as the Mayor of Flint. The constable's residence was, prior to its destruction, in the donjon tower. List of Constables Gallery See also Rhuddlan Castle List of castles in Wales Notes References External links www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Flint Castle Castles in Flintshire Cadw Castle ruins in Wales Grade I listed castles in Wales Scheduled monuments in Flintshire Flint, Flintshire