Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com – Like most ancient castles in Wales, the Medieval castle Castell Dinas Bran is rich in history and surrounded by a flair for mysticism.

Located high above the small town of Llangollen, on the top of a great mountain, Castell Dinas Bran is also referred to as the Crow City Castle.

The giant revealed there is a hidden treasure and no one has found it yet. Credit: Adobe Stock – warmtail

The castle was already in ruins in the 13^th century, making it challenging to reconstruct its history.

However, historians think the castle was most likely constructed in the 1260s by Lord of Dinas Bran Gruffydd Maelor II, who died nine years later. The Celtic Ordovices and Dinas Bran are the site of an ancient Iron-Age hillfort, believed to have been the home of the Kings of Powys.

How the castle got its name is still debated, and several theories exist. According to one version, the castle was named after Brân the Blessed, a giant and king of Britain in Welsh mythology. According to the Welsh Triads, the giant’s head was buried in London, where the White Tower now stands. People believed Britain would be safe from invasion if it remained there. Nevertheless, King Arthur dug it up and announced the country would be protected only by his great strength.

Many fascinating legends tell Castell Dinas Bran is no ordinary place. Rumors started as soon as the castle was constructed. People claimed the castle was haunted, and few dared to spend a night there. Payn Peveril, a Norman Knight famous for his arrogance and boasting, decided to show everyone that unfounded rumors should not be taken seriously.

With 15 knights, Peveril made a pact signed with blood that stated they would spend an entire night at Castell Dinas Bran.

The knights drank plenty, had a party, and then went to bed, convinced no evil powers were lurking in the shadows of Castell Dinas Bran. A local legend says a mᴀssive storm on that night and the lousy weather woke up the giant Gogmagog, who attacked the castle and its uninvited guests, Peveril and his knights, in his fury.

Ruins of Castell Dinas Bran – Credit: Llywelyn2000 – CC BY-SA 4.0

There was a terrible fight between the giant and knights who managed to kill Gogmagog with a sword after long and tiresome struggles.

When Gogmagog took his last breaths, he told the story of how his rival King Brân the Blessed had built the castle attempting to save himself from Gogmagog’s attacks, but he failed. One day Brân the Blessed was defeated and forced to leave Castell Dinas Bran.

Gogmagog also revealed to Peveril and his knights that a hidden gold treasure is beneath the castle. Unfortunately, Gogmagog died shortly after saying this, and no one has been able to find the giant’s treasure until this day.

Another legend about the mysterious castle tells of a wealthy Earl with a daughter named Myfanwy, who was beautiful but very spoiled.

“Her father showered her with gifts of every kind. He surprised her with fine dresses of silk and damask. He had succulent foods bought to the castle for her and gave her servants orders to carry out her every wish.

Myfanwy quickly learned how to get her own way. A sly tear, a scowl or a scream would strike fear into the hearts of her servants; they knew the power of her wrath and the strength of her sulks. The years pᴀssed and Myfanwy grew into womanhood. As she grew she changed from a pretty girl into a woman of beauty. Her long black hair and dark piercing eyes enchanted all who saw her.

News of her great beauty spread and suitors traveled from across the land to woo her, eager to win her hand and, some said, to inherit her father’s wealth. A brave knight climbed the mountain to the castle and sang in praise of her loveliness but she sneered at his songs and chatted loudly while he sang. Crushed by her rudeness, the knight retreated down the mountain.

What secrets do the ancient ruins of Castell Dinas Bran hide? – Credit: Cynnydd – CC BY-SA 3.0

A famous scholar journeyed to Castell Dinas Bran and recited a fine poem flattering her beauty. Myfanwy scoffed at his sonnet and left the castle hall while the bard was still speaking. The frustrated poet left the castle and returned to the town below. Others tried to win Myfanwy but all were treated with the same contempt. No flattery of song or verse could satisfy Myfanwy. She vainly knew she was more beautiful than any man could describe in tune or rhyme.

Disappointed suitors filled the alehouses of Llangollen exchanging tales of woe and drowning their sorrows. They sang to each other mournfully of Myfanwy’s beauty and her conceited vanity.” 2

Hywell ap Einion, a poet and dreamer, had heard about Myfanwy and fell in love with her, but he was poor and could impress the young lady and her father. Years pᴀssed, he grew older, and he knew Myfanwy was still unmarried. One day Hypewellap Enion encountered an older man playing a lute and singing. The melody was so beautiful that Hypewellap Enion asked the man to teach him how to play it, so he did.

When he finally mastered the flute and could sing the song properly, he became confident he could now win Myfanwy’s heart. He went to the castle, entered the great hall, and saw Myfanwy and her father standing among many guests. There was a festival, and Myfanwy’s father asked him to play and sing for them.

Hywell lifted his lute and began to sing, quietly at first and then more loudly as his courage grew. The crowd fell silent as he sang. He looked at Myfanwy’s dark, clear eyes and returned his gaze without blinking. He sang of her beauty, and she smiled. He praised her pale cheeks, and she blushed. His words fell like caresses on her long black hair, and she laughed, but her dark, clear eyes still returned his steady gaze.

Hywells’ song ended quietly, like a conspiracy between two lovers. Myfanwy stood and applauded, and the guests cheered. Hywell bowed and advanced towards

Myfanwy. Hywell was invited to sit at the top table, by the Earl and the feasting continued late into the night. She offered her hand, and he kissed it, confident that he had won her heart.

The following day, Hywell returned to the castle, but Myfanwy had gone.

‘Where is Myfanwy?’ asked Hywell. The Earl looked at the impudent serf before him.

‘She is promised in marriage to another far more noble than you,’ replied the Earl.

‘But she loves me,’ said Hywell.

‘You’re a fool. Myfanwy enjoyed your adulation but will never marry a peasant like you. She has gone with Sir Ralph. The marriage contract was signed yesterday,’ said the Earl.

Hywell stumbled down the mountain, broken hearted. According to the legend, he wrote one last poem for Myfanwy and never spoke of her again.”

In his book Legends and Myths from Wales, Graham Watkins writes, “the real author of the love poem, Myfanwy was the Welsh poet Richard Davies. It was set to music by Joseph Parry and was published in 1875. The song is a favorite with Welsh male voice choirs. It ends in farewell.”

Updated on February 23, 2024

Written by – Ellen Lloyd – AncientPages.com

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