Caergwrle

Caergwrle is a village in the county of Flintshire, in north east Wales. Approximately from Wrexham and situated on the A541 road, it is contiguous with the villages of Abermorddu and Hope, though in parts Caergwrle and Hope are separated by a river border. The village lies on the River Alyn and sits at the base of Hope Mountain. At the 2001 Census, the population was 1,650. The population was subsequently absorbed in the community of Hope and only the electoral ward remained. The population of this ward as taken at the 2011 census was 1,619. The ward includes the area of Abermorddu. Further south is the village of Cefn-y-Bedd. Origins of name The name Caergwrle derives from the Welsh caer 'fort' and a lost English placename *Corley 'river meadow of the crane'. Folk etymology explained the name by means of a cawr ('giant') named Gwrle, who was supposed to have lived in nearby Caergwrle Castle and to have been buried in the nearby Neolithic burial mound at Cefn-y-bedd. History The 13th-century, ruined Caergwrle Castle was first built by Tywysog (Prince) Dafydd ap Gruffydd, in lands agreed with Edward I of England during his invasion of Wales in 1277. Dafydd, in agreeing not to resist the invasion, had extensive improvements made to his castle at Edward's expense. In 1282 however, Dafydd bought his time and raised the banner of revolt, marching on Hawarden Castle controlled by Edward's invaders. Dafydd and his men seized the castle. Dafydd's brother, Llywelyn ap Gruffydd the Prince of Wales, was then drawn into what became the Welsh Wars of Independence. When Llywelyn was beheaded by one of Edward's mercenaries in 1282, Dafydd ap Gruffydd then became Prince of Wales from 11 December 1282 until his execution on 3 October 1283 by King Edward I. He was the last independent ruler of Wales until Owain Glyndwr's uprising in the 15th century.