Raglan Castle

Raglan Castle is a non-native castle situated slightly to the north of the village of Rhaglan, Sir Fynwy.

The History of Raglan Castle

Though the current castle dates back to sometime in the mid-15th century, it is widely believed that an older 11th century castle once stood at the same site. This would make sense as the area was granted to William FitzOsbern (1011-1071), the Earl of Hereford, following the Norman Invasion of Wales. It is unknown what would have happened to this castle.

It would be another, later William, Sir William ap Thomas (?-1445), who the current castle’s origins are attributed to. However, it is Sir William’s son who we know more about. We know that:

He dropped the Welsh version of his name, becoming known as William Herbert

He was a prominent supporter of the House of York during the War of the Roses; he fought in the Hundred Years War in France

That he was deeply involved in the politics of the day and that he was the first Welshman to be made an earl

He developed Raglan Castle significantly during his lifetime and it is believed by some historians, namely Matthew Johnson, that “the polygonal towers were possibly designed to imitate those of Caernarfon Castle, whose architecture carries numerous allusions to the eventual return of a Roman Emperor to Wales.”

He was also executed as a Yorkist supporter following the Battle of Edgecote Moor, a battle in the Wars of the Roses.

The castle would eventually come under the ownership of the Somerset family and, in the 17th century, its most significant moment came during the English Civil War (1642-1651). At this point, it was still in the Somerset family with Henry and Lord Herbert its prominent owners. Both men were royalists and, therefore, so was the castle.

In 1646, Raglan Castle came under siege by the Parliamentarian forces, who were successfully led to victory by Sir Thomas Fairfax. The castle fell into Parliamentary hands and it was ordered that the castle be destroyed. So well-built was the castle, however, that only parts of it fell – though the castle’s library and many Welsh books in it were destroyed.

The 18th and 19th centuries saw the castle fall out of relevance and prominence, though it would be subjected to rejuvenation efforts. Finally, in 1938, Henry Somerset, the 10th Duke, handed over guardianship of Raglan Castle to the Commissioner of Works and, today, the castle is overseen by Cadw.

Have you been to Raglan Castle? Feel free to send in your photos!

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