Gateways to Power: The Castles of Ranulf III of Chester and Llywelyn the Great of Gwynedd

Abstract

As an expression of his immense power and standing, Earl Ranulf de Blundeville, sixth Earl of Chester (1181–1232) granted his own Magna Carta in Cheshire. Ranulfs subsequent building programme can be regarded as comparable architectural expression. This article aims to provide a fresh interpretation combining a variety of approaches as to how Ranulfs personal power is manifested in the medieval landscape of north-west England and North Wales. It is argued that Ranulfs relatively overlooked and yet close relationship with Llywelyn Fawr, or Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, Prince of Gwynedd (C. AD 1173–1240), sheds further light as to the purpose of the position of Beeston and Cricieth castles in their landscapes. This study has wider implications as to how archaeologists can discern manifestations of lordly power in the designs and landscape settings of medieval castles. While this topic has been widely discussed over the last three decades, it has been hitherto under-investigated in the north-west of England and North Wales where the dynamic allegiances between lords were key components in how power was expressed.