History
In the early 12th century, grants of lands were made to
Flemings by
Henry I when their country was flooded, and later they were joined by Flemish soldiers banished by
Henry II.
[3] A
castle, known originally as the Castle of Abercorran, existed in Laugharne before the
Norman Conquest and belonged to the princes of South Wales. Henry II visited it in 1172 on his return from Ireland and made peace with Prince Rhys of
Dinefwr. Through the marriage of Prince Rhys' daughter, the castle passed to Sir
Guy de Brian, who had been Lord High Admiral of England. His daughter Elizabeth inherited the castle and married Owen Laugharne of St. Bride's who gave his name to the castle.
Possession passed to the Crown, and during the 16th century it belonged to
Sir John Perrot, returning to the crown after his death. In 1644 the castle was garrisoned for the king and taken for Parliament by Major-General Rowland Laugharne, who subsequently reverted to the king's side. This led
Cromwell to lay siege to the castle, leaving it in ruins.