he early 12th century castle was probably a ringwork, and traces of an important building with a large hearth have been found during excavations at the site. The castle was remodeled in the second half of the 12th century; the interior of the ringwork was partially filled in, new defenses were constructed and a large rectangular hall was built on the north. By the time of the Welsh attack in 1257, the castle was in the ownership of the de Brian family and it was Guy de Brian IV who, evidently determined to create a much more defensible structure, started to build the strong masonry castle which we see today.