Caldicot Castle (Cil-y-Coed yn Gymraeg) is a castle which dates to around 1100 AD. At this time, parts of Cymru (particularly in the south-to-mid east) had fallen under the control of the invading, oppressive Normans and – like many of the Norman castles – Caldicot was built with subjugation in mind.
What Is Caldicot Castle?
Caldicot is believed to have been built in close proximity to the Saxon castle of Harold Godwinson, the last Saxon King of England. This was likely done on purpose, with the intention to erase Saxon history from the area.
A true non-native castle, Caldicot’s history does not entwine with much of the native history of Cymru. For centuries, it played minor roles in England’s Kingly politics and was property of the House of Lancaster in the 14th century.
By the 19th century, the picturesque castle had fallen into ruin and would become a property of a Charles Lewis, followed by a Joseph Cobb – with the Cobb family greatly restoring parts of the castle.
Chepstow Rural District Council would buy the castle from the Cobb family in 1964 and it would then open to the public the following year.
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Niklas is the founder, owner, manager, editor, writer, video creator, voice over artist, and so forth, of Welsh Histories. He is passionate about the preservation of Welsh culture; the rejuvenation of the Welsh language and the promotion of Welsh history. Niklas currently resides in Pune, Maharashtra, with his beloved wife.