Here, we have Usk Castle (Castell Brynbuga yn Gymraeg) – a 12th century Norman-built castle in Brynbuga, Sir Fynwy (Usk, Monmouthshire). It is believed to have been built after its neighbouring castles of Monmouth and Abergavenny Castle. Prior to being a Norman stronghold, the area of Brynbuga had once been a Roman fortress which was relocated to Caerleon – a town still strongly associated with its Roman past today.
About Usk Castle
In the 12th century, the south of the country, including the area of what is now Brynbuga, was engaged in total conflict between the invading Norman forces and the native Welsh kingdoms. It is then very likely that Usk Castle was built and controlled by the Marcher Lord Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare, with the intention of subjugating the Welsh and controlling the area. He would be killed near Abergavenny sometime around 1136. The castle’s early history was synonymous with this struggle.
Its undoubted most significant chapter came during the “Battle of Pwll Melyn” (“Battle of Usk”, 5 May 1405), an important battle of the Glyndŵr Uprising (1400-1415) led by Owain Glyndŵr. The battle was a turning point in the war and was the first key victory for the English against Glyndŵr. Glyndŵr’s brother and eldest son both died in the battle and many historians point to the battle as being the beginning of the end of the Uprising.
Aside from this, there’s not much else about Usk Castle. It played a minor role in the English Civil War (1642-1651) and survived relatively unscathed (unlike many of the other castles in Cymru), with only minor slighting/being put beyond military use.
Nowadays, the castle is one of the best surviving medieval castles in Cymru and is often used as a wedding venue. It is also open to visitors for £4 minimum donation per adult and is open between 10:30am and 16:30pm.
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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.