|
Tours > Wales > Raglan Castle
Raglan Castle
 A scant half-dozen miles away from Monmouth on the A40 west lies the little town of Raglan, famous for its castle, unique as the last example of medieval fortification in Britain. It was not constructed until late, being developed out of a fortified manor house (pictured below) belonging to William ap Thomas, early in the 15th century. It was also the last castle in Wales to fall to the Parliamentary forces in the English Civil Wars after the fifth Earl of Worcester had defied Lord Fairfax for 11 weeks.
 The Great Tower stands on the site of an earlier Norman motte; it is the center of an impressive complex of defenses and residence. The twin towers of the gate house, each with two tiers of gun ports remain a formidable bastion of defense, but the main features of the castle, with its kitchen tower and fountain court, the hall and long gallery, grand staircase, all reflect the transition back from castle to stately residence and an opulent lifestyle enjoyed for centuries by the Earls of Worcester.
Raglan can be reached.from Monmouth west on the A40, from Abergavenny east on the same road; and from Newport (GWent) northwest on the A449.
Next Stop: Abergavenny
|
|
|
