BRAMPTON BRYAN CASTLE

Herefordshire

This 'bijou' Castle stands near the site of a Roman fort, so its position had been strategic long before the first Castle was built here by Bernard Unspec some time before 1120. A survey was made of the estate of Bryan de Brampton upon his death in 1293 which refers to a tower and curtilage (curtain walls).  This was quite probably still in wood. The Castle passed to one Robert Harley and it was he who rebuilt in stone.  The impressive Gatehouse was added later in the 1300s by Bryan de Harley.  This Castle was attacked by Owain Glyndwr, the Welsh Prince, in 1403 and the Castle held out.

In early 1642 Sir Robert Harley added some modern fortifications to the Castle and went off to London, leaving his wife, the exotically named Brilliana, in charge.  Harley was a Parliamentarian and in July 1643 the Royalists arrived and laid siege to Brampton Bryan.  Lady Harley and a garrison of about 100 men held out against the attack until September when the Royalists withdrew. Sadly, shortly after this, Lady Harley died (apparently from stress brought on by the siege).  It was left to the family doctor, Nathan Wright, to hold the Castle against a second attack in 1644, eventually the Castle had to surrender and was left the ruin we see today.

Brampton Bryan Castle stands in the private grounds of Brampton Bryan House, but if approached correctly the owner is happy to show you the property.

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2001