Carmarthen Castle was one of the largest castles in Wales in the Middle Ages, as well as one of the most important due to its function as a center of government and as Crown property in an area of Welsh lands and the lordships of the Mers. Most of the castle was demolished during the seventeenth century, before being redeveloped first as a prison and then as headquarters for the local authority. Again, the ruins and their location are extremely impressive. Between 1993 and 2006, a significant program of archaeological work and research was undertaken, work which is described in detail in this book. The history of the castle is also explored, along with its impact on the area and on Wales as a whole. We get a picture of the officials and residents of the castle, their activities, and their interaction with the surrounding world. The excavations at the castle and the relics found are described, together with the archaeological potential that remains. This book places Carmarthen Castle in the history of Medieval Wales, giving it its own place in the wider field of castle studies and architectural history, to present a study that is a significant contribution to the history of one of the great towns of Wales.
