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A gem of South Wales and described as one of the "last formidable displays of medieval defensive architecture". Raglan Castle is a must see for anyone visiting Wales. With impressive features and a deep history to discover. Its open grounds and beautiful moat make exploring the ruin a memorable day out.
Filmed: Summer 2021
Music: ONE LIFE INSPIRATION - • Celtic romance music/C...
Entry: Paid
---- Short History ----
- In the late 11th century the area of Raglan granted to the Earl of Hereford, William FitzOsbern.
- For the next few hundred years the site held a manor house and was surrounded by park lands.
- In 1432 a welshman, Sir William ap Thomas purchased the manor of Raglan. He soon began construction which established the basic shape of the castle.
- His son dropped the Welsh name for William Herbert. He supported the house of York in the War of the Roses and fought in the Hundred Years War in France. His wealth mostly came form his wine trade and continued to grow in prominence.
- William Herbert was the first Welshman to become an Earl.
- In the 1460s William remodelled Raglan castle on a grander scale.
- The parks that surrounded it formed an important link for its refined nature. They also contained extensive orchards and fish ponds.
- William Herbert was executed in 1469 after the Battle of Edgecote Moor and building work probably stopped before recommencing in the 1470s.
- But in 1492, William’s daughter, Elizabeth married Sir Charles Somerset which passed the castle into a new family line.
- Their son Henry Somerset used lead reclaimed from Tintern Abbey after the dissolution of the monasteries for the building work but died soon after.
- His son and grandson continued the work in the years that followed. They rebuilt the Pitched Stone Court, adding the Long Gallery and developing the gardens into the new Renaissance style.
- In 1628, another Henry Somerset inherited the castle and lived a grand lifestyle. With a Master of Horse, Master of Fishponds, a falconer and many footmen. Rich tapestries hung from the walls and a great number of luxury items were kept there. He later built the Red Gate and developed the entrance.
- His son Edward, Lord Herbert built a “water commanding machine” which pumped a huge spout of water from the moat, much like a modern water fountain.
- In 1642 the civil war broke out. Henry and Edward were royalists and King Charles I started with Raglan on his fund raising tour. Henry was soon promoted to Marquess of Worcester.
- During this time the defences were improved. A modern earthwork bastion was built and a powder mill. A garrison of 300 men was stationed and heavier cannon were installed.
- Lord Herbert was captured in Ireland, making an attack seem imminent. The garrison was strengthened to 800 soldiers. Trees were cut down and surrounding buildings destroyed so Parliamentary forces couldn’t use them. Food was brought inside the castle and surrounding Royalists sought shelter.
- The Parliamentary army arrived in June and a siege soon took place until the castle finally surrendered on the 19th of August.
- General Fairfax ordered the castle to be destroyed under the supervision of Henry Herbert, a descendant of William ap Thomas. But the castle was so strong only a few walls were destroyed or slighted.
- The locals dredged the moat in search of treasure, emptied the ponds of carp and the library contents were either destroyed or stolen.
- When Charles II was restored to the throne the Somerset family recovered most of their possessions, including Raglan Castle.
- However, Henry Somerset decided to focus on rebuilding his other estates.
- In the 18th century the Somerset family allowed stone to be quarried from the castle to reuse in their other estates.
- But Henry Somerset, 5th Duke finally stopped any further dilapidating in 1756 and the caste became a tourist attraction.
- In the 19th century the first guidebook was created and seats, fences and bridges were added.
- The Great hall was temporarily re-roofed in the 1820s when the castle was used for a "Grand Entertainment" by the Somersets.
- In the 1830s the Grand Staircase was reinstated.
- In the years that followed numerous royals visited the castle.
- In 1938 Henry Somerset, the 10th Duke entrusted guardianship of Raglan Castle to the Commissioner of Works.
- It is now a Grade I listed building under the care of Cadw.
#Castle #Wales #Raglan #Moat
---- Further Reading ----
- en.wikipedia.o...
- www.castlewales...
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