Cardiff History. Cardiff’s rich culture has a diverse range of influences, from the Romans and Normans of antiquity to the industrial revolution and the coal industry - which transformed Cardiff from a small town into a thriving, international city. To find out more of the city's history, visit The Cardiff Story, a free museum where the story of Cardiff is told through the eyes of its people. Origins of the Name There are two rival theories regarding the precise origins of the name Cardiff or Caerdydd in Welsh. There is uncertainty concerning the origin of "Caerdydd" — "Caer" means "fort" or "castle," but although "Dydd" means "Day" in modern Welsh, it is unclear what was meant in this context. Roman origins Cardiff lies at the centre of three river systems, the Taff, the Ely and the Rhymney. The Vikings and the Normans also made their presence felt in Cardiff, and in 1091 Robert Fitzhamon began work on the castle keep, which has been at the heart of the city ever since.
Medieval Cardiff Owain Glyndŵr. Roman sites in Wales - Cardiff and area. Newspaper map. Welcome to Cardiff University. Cardiff Castle - History. A Brief History Cardiff Castle is one of Wales’ leading heritage attractions and a site of international significance. Located at the heart of the capital, within beautiful parklands, the Castle’s walls and fairytale towers conceal 2,000 years of history. The Roman fort at Cardiff was probably established at the end of the 50s AD, on a strategic site that afforded easy access to the sea. Archaeological excavations made during the 1970s indicate that this was only the first of four forts, each a different size, that occupied the present site.
Remains of the Roman wall can be seen today. After the Norman conquest, the Castle’s keep was built, re-using the site of the Roman fort. The site was divided into inner and outer wards, separated by a huge stone wall. The Castle passed through the hands of many noble families until in 1766, it passed by marriage to the Bute family. From 1866 the 3rd Marquess employed the genius architect William Burges to transform the Castle lodgings. A History of Cardiff. In the 18th century Cardiff remained a small town, no larger than it had been in the Middle Ages. In 1762 Water Bailiffs were appointed. They charged tolls for the upkeep of the town quay.
There were also 3 private wharves in Cardiff. In 1774 an Act of Parliament created a body of men called the Improvement Commissioners who were responsible for paving and cleaning the streets of Cardiff and lighting them with oil lamps. In the 1780s East, West, North and Blounts Gates were demolished because they impeded traffic. From the late 18th century Wales was transformed by the industrial revolution.
In 1796 a writer said of Cardiff: 'The inhabitants of this town and neighborhood carry on a considerable trade to Bristol and send thither great quantities of oats, barley, salt butter and poultry of all kinds and from this town there are not less than 8,780 tons of cast and wrought iron shipped annually to London and other places'. In this century Cardiff grew at a phenomenal pace. A history of Conwy. Wales History: Cardiff's history brought to life in new museum. National Museum Cardiff.