The 'Borough Guide' published by the Aberystwyth Town Council and Edward J Burrows Co notes that the written history of town begins with the building of a fortress in the time of Henry I (AD 1109) by Gilbert de Strongbow, Earl of Chepstow. The fortress was taken and destroyed by Maelgwyn Gwynedd, but rebuilt by Edward I. A private mint was established at the castle from 1638 to 1642, with Royal permission, by the owner of nearby lead and silver mines. The castle was dismantled by parliamentarians at the end of the Civil War. Only portions of the two rounds towers and the once massive keep remain. The summit of the castle is now encircled with broad paths which give splendid views. To the north there is the Dyfi estuary and Cader Idris and its surrounding hills. To the south, there are the lower hills of Pembroke. In between, there is Aberystwyth 'compact and beautiful'.