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Swansea was once called Sweins eg or ey, which means Swein's island. The island stood in the mouth of the River Tawe. Who Swein was is not known for sure but he may have been a Norseman who built a fort on the island about 1000 AD and used it as a base for raiding the Welsh coast.

The town of Swansea was founded in the early 12th century when the Normans conquered the area. The Norman lord built a wooden castle on the site of Worcester Place. (It was rebuilt in stone in the early 13th century). A town soon grew up by the castle. The garrison of the castle provided a market for the townspeople's goods. Many of the townspeople were English immigrants. At some time between 1158-84 Swansea was given a charter (a document granting the townspeople certain rights). A second charter was granted to Swansea by King John in 1215.

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