Editing Pembroke Castle (section)

==Construction==
The castle is sited on a strategic rocky [[promontory]] by the [[Milford Haven Waterway]]. The first fortification on the site was a [[Normans|Norman]] [[motte-and-bailey]]. It had earthen [[Rampart (fortification)|ramparts]] and a timber [[palisade]].<ref name = "Cathcart">{{cite book|last=Cathcart King|first =D.J.|title=Pembroke Castle|publisher=Archaeologia Cambrensis|year=1975}}</ref>

In 1189, Pembroke Castle was acquired by William Marshal. He soon became Lord Marshal of England, and set about turning the earth and wood fort into an impressive [[Norman architecture|Norman stone castle]]. The inner ward, which was constructed first, contains the huge round [[keep]] with its domed roof. Its original first-floor entrance was through an external stairwell. Inside, a spiral staircase connected its four stories. The keep's domed roof also has several [[putlog holes]] that supported a wooden [[fighting-platform]]. If the castle was attacked, the hoarding allowed defenders to go out beyond the keep's massive walls above the heads of the attackers.

[[File: Pembroke Castle (15803980917) cropped.jpg|thumb|270px|left|Pembroke's Great Keep viewed from the south with the inner ward behind]]
The [[inner ward]]'s [[Curtain wall (fortification)|curtain wall]] had a large horseshoe-shaped gateway. But only a thin wall was required along the promontory. This section of the wall has a small observation [[Turret (architecture)|turret]] and a square stone platform. Domestic buildings including William Marshal's [[Great Hall]] and private apartments were within the inner ward. The 13th century [[keep]] is {{convert|23|m|ft}} tall with walls up to {{convert|6|m|ft}} thick at its base.<ref name = "Cathcart"/>

In the late 13th century, additional buildings were added to the inner ward, including a new Great Hall. A 55-step spiral staircase was also created that led down to a large limestone cave, known as Wogan Cavern, beneath the castle. The cave, which was created by natural [[water erosion]], was fortified with a wall, a barred gateway and [[arrowslit]]s. It may have served as a boathouse or a [[sallyport]] to the river where cargo or people could have been transferred.

The [[outer ward]] was defended by a large twin-towered gatehouse, a [[barbican]] and several [[tower|round towers]]. The outer wall is {{convert|5|m}} thick in places and constructed from [[Siltstone]] [[ashlar]].

Although Pembroke Castle is a Norman-style enclosure castle with [[keep|great keep]], it can be more accurately described as a [[Linear castle|linear fortification]]<ref>{{citation |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=5w1PAAAAMAAJ |title=The medieval castle |author=Philip Warner |year=1971|publisher=Taplinger Publishing Company |isbn=9780800851866 }}</ref> because, like the later 13th-century castles at [[Caernarfon Castle|Caernarfon]] and [[Conwy Castle|Conwy]], it was built on a rocky promontory surrounded by water. This meant that attacking forces could only assault on a narrow front. Architecturally, Pembroke's thickest [[defensive wall|walls]] and towers are all concentrated on its landward side facing the town, with [[Pembroke River]] providing a natural defence around the rest of its perimeter.