Clun Castle

This romantic ruined castle was one of many fortresses built by the Normans in the Welsh borderland or 'Marches'.  The castle started as a motte and bailey fortification, built by 'Picot' de Say, in around 1090. 

Standing on a rocky outcrop, the Marcher castle was originally constructed of wood and was intended to keep the unruly Welsh under Norman control.  

After the castle was beseiged and burnt by the Welsh in 1196, it became the property of the Fitzalan family who replaced the timber with stone and created the present form of the castle.  The Fitzalans, better known as the Earls of Arundel, were responsible for establishing the adjoining village. 

When the Fitzalans adbandoned Clun in the 1270s to concentrate on the more important Arundel Castle in Sussex, the castle fell into ruin. 

In the 1400s the castle was attacked by Owain Glywdwr but after this time it disappears from historical records.

Today the original plan of the castle can be clearly seen.  A ditch and two heavily defended baileys surround the motte and rectangular keep.  The four-storied keep, with large arched Norman windows, is unusual because it was embedded into one side of the motte rather than being built on top. 

Clun Castle is now  in the care of English Heritage.

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Shropshire