RAGLAN CASTLE

Monmouthshire

Raglan is unusual in a Castle so close to the border, because it wasn't constructed as a border fortress - merely as a normal Castle.  A Castle is believed to have existed here in the 12th century, but the Castle we see today was started by William ap Thomas early in the 15th Century.  Ap Thomas was knighted in 1426 and he had the massive hexagonal keep built with its wet moat (picture left) which is known as the "Yellow Tower of Gwent" because of the colour of the stone of its construction.

Later more buildings were added including the impressive angular gatehouse (pictured right) which was joined to the keep by a drawbridge, almost unique in the World (one other with a similar mechanism existed in Milan).  William's son, also William, became Earl of Pembroke and used Raglan as a powerbase up until his execution in 1469 after the Battle of Edgecote.

The Castle then passed to the Somerset family.  Charles was Lord Chamberlain to Henry's VII and VIII and his son, William, was a great patron of Elizabethan theatre.  He added many buildings to the Castle by way of domestic apartments.  The fifth Earl was made Marquess of Worcester and was reputed to be the richest man in England.  He used much of his wealth to support the King in the Civil War.  Raglan Castle paid the price when General Fairfax arrived and laid siege to the Castle in 1646, surrendering on August 19th.  The Castle was then smashed to pieces, leaving the ruin we see today.

The Castle is owned by CADW (Welsh Heritage) and is open throughout the year.

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2001