Carmarthen Castle (Welsh: Castell Caerfyrddin) is a ruined castle in Carmarthen, West Wales, UK. First built by Walter, Sheriff of Gloucester in the early 1100s, the castle was captured and destroyed on several occasions before being rebuilt in stone during the 1190s. The castle was captured by Owain Glyndŵr in 1405. Henry VII's father died at Carmarthen Castle in 1456. During the Wars of the Roses the castle fell to William Herbert and, during the Civil War, was captured by Parliamentary forces. It was dismantled by order of Oliver Cromwell in the mid 1600s. It has been used as the site of Carmarthen's gaol until the 1920s. The remains of the castle were given a Grade I heritage listing in 1954 and is currently a tourist attraction and site of the town's Tourist Information Centre. Location The castle is in the county town of Carmarthen located above sea level on a high terrace overlooking the tidal River Towy. Carmarthen Bridge lies below the castle, at what was the lowest bridging point of the river from the sea. While it is described today as "arguably the biggest disappointment among the plethora of medieval ruins in Wales" it has, in fact, dominated the layout and orientation of the town with its streets and property boundaries coming out from the site. It is accessed today via the surviving gatehouse on Nott Square or alternatively via the Old Castle Gaol entrance on Gaol Hill/Castle Hill. History The first castle The first castle on its current site at Carmarthen is variously dated to 1104, circa 1106 or 1109 and ascribed to Walter of Gloucester, though Ludlow suggests it is more likely that the castle had already been built when Walter was recorded (in 1109) as being sent to defend Carmarthen. An earlier fort existed south at Rhyd-y-gors, built by William FitzBaldwin of Devon on behalf of English King William II, probably after the death of the local Welsh King Rhys ap Tewdwr in 1093. It was last mentioned in 1106. Pembroke Castle had been established in 1102. The castle, originally a timber motte and bailey structure, is believed to have been rebuilt in stone in the later years of the 1100s. 12th century It was not too long before local Welsh prince Gruffydd ap Rhys (who had had his lands taken from him by the Normans) attacked Carmarthen Castle. Around 1116 he successfully captured it