Raglan Castle Monmouthshire Wales medieval castle
Raglan Castle (Welsh: Castell Rhaglan) is a significant late medieval castle located just north of the village of Raglan in the county of Monmouthshire in south east Wales. Its origins lie in the 12th century but the ruins visible today date from the 15th century and later. It is likely that the early castle followed the motte-and-bailey design of most castles of this period and location and some traces of this early history can still be seen. The peak of the power and splendour of the castle was attained in the 15th century and 16th century, as the Marches fortress of the great family of Herbert. Its ruination came at the end of one of the longest sieges of the English Civil War. The present castle was begun in 1435 for Sir William ap Thomas, who married the Raglan heiress Elizabeth Bloet in 1406. Upon his death his son, William Herbert, continued the work. Debate continues as to which was responsible for building the Great Tower, the most prominent feature of the present site. The castle was the boyhood home of Henry Tudor, later King Henry VII, who was placed in the custody of William Herbert during the War of the Roses. In the latter 16th century, the castle was re-fashioned into a grandiose and luxurious mansion by the Somersets, Earls, and later Marquesses, of Worcester, who inherited the manor of Raglan through marriage. The English Civil War brought about the castle’s ruin. Henry Somerset, the first Marquess of Worcester, was a staunch supporter of Charles the First, whom he entertained at the castle on two occasions. In 1646, the King’s fortunes were on the wane and the major towns and castles of England and Wales were in Parliamentarian hands. “Raglan and Pendennis, like winter fruit, hung long on.” The fall of the City of Oxford released Parliamentarian forces to supplement the siege of the castle and, after many months, the Marquess was compelled to surrender to General Fairfax on 19 August 1646. A systematic slighting of the castle commenced and t
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Photo credit: © 19th era / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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