WEOBLEY CASTLE

Herefordshire

This extensive motte and bailey site once held one of the larger stone Castles of Herefordshire.

The first Castle, which probably followed much the same plan as the surviving earthworks, was built shortly after the Conquest by the de Lacy family.  It was re-fortified by Geoffrey Talbot who held it against King Stephen during the Anarchy.  The King broke the siege and captured the Castle.  Only a few years later the Castle was used as a base by William de Braose in his rebellion against King John, from here he ventured out and burnt the town of Leominster to the ground.

It was again refortified, this time in stone, around 1216-1223 to defend against the truculant Welsh. No attack seems to have come though.  In 1388 the Devereux family took control of the Castle and Elizabeth I granted it to her favourite, the Earl of Essex.  By this time it was probably already in poor condition and today no trace of its stonework remains.  In 1655 a plan as drawn up of the Castle and this shows a square keep on the motte, a gatehouse and a curtain wall with six towers.

The Castle is on public land.

Back to Castles of Herefordshire Page

© Text copyright - Raving Loony Productions, Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Photos and Artwork - Andrew J. Müller and Roy Barton
© Web Design and Layout - Andrew J. Müller
2001