The Norman family of de Londres founded Ogmore Castle in 1116. Lords controlled the corn mills, which were often built next to the castle. While settlers lived in castles and towns, the Welsh remained largely rural. Gerald of Wales wrote in about 1200 that the Welsh 'neither inhabit towns, villages nor castles, but.content themselves with small huts made of the boughs of trees twisted together'. Gerald of Wales, A Description of Wales, (Everyman, 1908).
