SKENFRITH CASTLE

Monmouthshire

King Stephen acquired land at Skenfrith (as at White Castle and Grosmont) in exchange with Payn Fitz-John. There is no specific mention of Skenfrith until 1182 when it and Grosmont were provisioned against siege.

Like Grosmont, Skenfrith was passed to Hubert de Burgh by King John and it is he who built most of what we see today, including the distinctive circular keep. Hubert fell out of favour and in 1206 the Castle passed to William de Braose. After the Baron's Revolt Hubert was granted the Castles here and at Grosmont once again. Unlike Grosmont no further work ever seems to have happened at Skenfrith beyond the building of a D-shaped tower around 1267 by which time the castle was already part of the Duchy of Lancaster.

Skenfrith fell out of use quicker than either Grosmont or White Castle. It was acquired by the National Trust and is now run by CADW.

Skenfrith Castle is one of a triangle of similar border castles along with the White Castle and Grosmont.

The Castle is owned by CADW (Welsh Heritage) and is open and free at all reasonable times.

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2004