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History

Begun in 1068 by one of William the Conqueror's chief lieutenants William FitzOsbern, Earl of Hereford, the castle had an excellent site on a long, high cliff  overlooking a harbour, with the River Wye on one side and a deep ravine on the other. 

FitzOsbern protected the remaining sides with stone walls.  The first building was a two-storeyed keep with fine arched windows.  In the early 13th century the castle passed to the Marshall family who set about improving the defences.  Strong curtain walls with towers were built and the keep extended.  These changes divided the castle into four separate sections each leading into the other from east to west. 

The castle was now immensely strong and no further alterations were made until the end of the 13th century when Roger Bigod III built a three-storey gatehouse to protect the western approach and to provide a back entrance.   In addition he constructed two great halls to the north-east and a round projecting tower was built to protect the south-east corner.  This tower contained a complete self-contained lodging for the lord and is now known as Marten's Tower. 

Henry Marten was one of the judges to sign Charles I death warrant.  At the Restoration Marten and his wife were imprisoned in some comfort at the castle.  The castle was not involved in the Welsh Wars and when Edward II retreated there with Hugh Dispencer, to whom it belonged at that time, their supporters immediately surrendered. 

It was not until the Civil War that the castle was tested.  However, the castle was not designed to withstand heavy artillery and once the walls were breached the Royalist garrison realised further resistance was useless.   

It was used as a prison for a time but eventually declined and was abandoned as the ruin it is today.