British Castle
Castles in Gwent
| Chepstow Castle | |
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Chepstow Castle lies on the River Wye in Monmouthshire, and was built by William FitzOsbern in the period immediately following the historic invasion of William the Conqueror in 1066 and the great sweep to the west to attack and subdue the Welsh. FitzOsbern, who died soon after in 1071, was the Lord of Breteuil in Normandy and was given the lands and title of the Earl of Hereford by the Conqueror to underpin his invasion of Wales. Following FitzOsbern's death the castle passed to his son Roger de Breteuil. It subsequently passed to Walter Fitzherbert in 1115, to his nephew Gilbert Strongbow, and then to Strongbow's son Richard. |
| Grosmont Castle | |
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The early history of Grosmont Castle in Monmouthshire, Wales, is uncertain, but it was most likely constructed within the 50 year period following the Norman Conquest. Along with White Castle and Skenfrith Castle, it formed the lordship of the Trilateral, or the Three Castles (also called the Honour of Grosmont). Since all three are located near the border between England and Wales, along one of the main travel routes, the Lord of the Three Castles was charged with protecting this area from any persons who might cause trouble (Welsh rebels, highwaymen, robber bands, etc.). Grosmont, unlike the other two, was built primarily as an administrative centre rather than for its defensive capabilities. |
| Raglan Castle | |
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Raglan Castle was built on what would have been a motte and bailey Norman castle originally constructed by William Fitzherbert, and would have been a wooden building in the style commonly used by the invading Normans, following the architectural styles of northern France at the time. |
| Skenfrith Castle | |
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The date of first construction for Skenfrith Castle in Monmouthshire, Wales, is unknown, but a wooden motte and bailey castle was most likely on the site by the year 1130, less than a century after the Norman Conquest. Along with White Castle and Grosmont Castle, Skenfrith formed the lordship of the Trilateral, or the Three Castles (also called the Honour of Grosmont). Since all three are located near the border between England and Wales, along one of the main travel routes, the Lord of the Three Castles was charged with protecting this part of the border. |
| White Castle | |
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The now-peaceful area of Wales historically known as the Honour of Grosmont was once a formidable barrier and stronghold for the Norman English in their attempts to subdue the Welsh people. Located near the border with England in the Monmouth Valley, White Castle and its two sister castles, Grosmont and Skenfrith, composed the lordship of the Trilateral or the Three Castles. |
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