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Castles In Monmouthshire |
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Chepstow Castle |
15
miles East of Newport, off M48 Chepstow was of
great strategic importance and the castle was one of the first in Britain to be built of
stone.Begun in 1068 by one of William the Conqueror's chief lieutenants, William
FitzOsbern, Earl of Hereford. It had an excellent site. In the 13th century it passed to
the Marshall family who improved the defences. In the Civil War the castle was not able to
withstand heavy artillery and once the walls were breached the Royalist garrison realised
further resistance was useless. Used as a prison for a time but declined into the ruin it
is today. more information  |
Grosmont Castle |
12
miles North-West of Monmouth, off B4347 Grosmont
Castle once guarded the Golden Valley with Skenfrith Castle and White Castle. Built
by Hubert de Burgh, Earl of Kent, the Earl lost control of his castles on two occasions,
and between 1219 and 1232 a gatehouse and the round towers were added to
Grosmont. After Llywelyn the Great had caused great unrest in Wales, Henry III and
his wife came to Grosmont, but the Welsh leader captured the castle and Henry, his
wife and their retinue were forced to flee. more information |
Raglan Castle |
7
miles South-West of Monmouth, off A40
Established in around 1070 it passed into the ownership of William ap
Thomas, a Welsh knight, and it became a comfortable residence for his
family, but during the Wars of the Roses William was executed by the
Earl of Warwick. In Civil War the castle was owned by the Earl of Worcester who
garrisoned the castle for the King and in 1646 Parliamentarian forces
besieged Raglan and was forced to surrender. After the Restoration the
Duke of Beaufort ransacked the castle for his home at Badmington. By
the 19th century it was a ruin. more
information
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White Castle |
7
miles North-East of Abergavenny off B4521
One of a defensive line in the Welsh Marshes against the threat
from Gwent. Built in the 12th century, rebuilt in the 13th century
held by powerful families before passing to the Crown, then to
Prince Edward who became Edward I and spent a great deal on defence
as the Welsh were becoming a threat. The castle decayed and
by the 16th century it was derelict before being sold to the Duke of
Beaufort in 1825. In 1922 the last owner, Sir Henry Mather Jackson,
appointed the Government as guardians of the castle. more
information
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