Edward gave Caergwrle Castle to his wife, Eleanor of Castile in February 1283. There are reports that the walls remained covered, indicating that works on them had not yet been finished when it was turned over to Eleanor. A town was planned to be built at the base of the castle, and on 25 June that year, Eleanor was granted permission to have a weekly market in the town. The intention was to allow English settlers to reside there, but an accidental fire in the castle occurred on 27 August while Edward and Eleanor were in attendance. The damaged castle was passed into the hands of Edward of Caernarfon (later Edward II of England), but he made no repairs. When Edward became king, it was passed to John of Cromwell for life on the basis that he would repair it. It has been doubted by historians that any repairs were made, as after John's death, it was given to Edward, the Black Prince, who noted that the walls and towers were in ruin and no housing was present. It was the final castle to be built by Welsh rulers before the loss of independence.