Kidwelly Castle

Kidwelly Castle (Welsh: 'Castell Cydweli') is an Norman castle overlooking the River Gwendraeth and the town of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales.

The present remains of the castle include work from about 1200 to about 1476. Created as a defence against the Welsh, the castle fell to the Welsh several times in the twelfth century.The castle was relieved by a Norman army after just three weeks. The gatehouse was extensively damaged and it was rebuilt on the instructions of King Henry V. It largely escaped involvement in the English Civil War.

The plan of the castle consists of a square inner bailey defended by four round towers, which overlook a semi-circular outer curtainwall on the landward side, with the massive gatehouse next to the river. The river prevents this from being a truly concentric plan, however a jutting tower protects the riverside walls, and the final plan is very strong.

Kidwelly was used as a location for the film MontyPython and the Holy Grail, appearing in the very first scene after the titles.Info from wikipedia.