Monmouth Castle
Monmouth Castle is one of the most historically significant castles in south east Wales, both as a key Norman frontier stronghold and as the birthplace of Henry V. Although only fragments survive today, the remaining stonework represents more than nine centuries of continuous political, military and administrative use. The castle was founded shortly after 1067, probably by William fitz Osbern, Earl of Hereford, who secured the Wye Valley for the Normans after the Conquest. The original castle was a classic motte and bailey, with a timber keep on the motte and service buildings in the bailey alongside what is now Monnow Street. Its position above the River Monnow allowed the Normans to oversee the important crossing at Monmouth and to control the routes into the Forest of Dean and the uplands of Gwent. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the timber structures were gradually replaced in stone. The most substantial surviving feature is the Great Tower, a powerful square keep built in the late twelfth century. Its massive walls and elevated position above the town made it one of the strongest early keeps in the Marches. Nearby are the remains of a hall block, a curtain wall, and parts of the domestic range that served the medieval household. Monmouth Castle played an important role in the political affairs of the March. It came under the control of the de Braose, Marshal, and de Bohun families, each among the most prominent lords of medieval Wales and England. It also served as an administrative centre, overseeing large portions of the lordship of Monmouth. In 1387, the castle became famous as the birthplace of Henry V, the future victor of Agincourt. The event is well documented and is one of the reasons the castle retains such strong cultural and historical recognition. The castle’s defensive importance began to wane by the fifteenth century as Monmouth grew into a market town. By the Civil War in the seventeenth century, the castle was used again for military purposes but was slighted by Parliamentarian forces in the 1640s to prevent further use. This led to the collapse and ruin of many of the buildings. Today the remains form part of a small, well maintained site adjacent to the Regimental Museum of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, the oldest regiment in the British Army. Visitors can explore the upstanding walls of the Great Tower, sections of the hall range, and the earthworks that outline the earlier layout. Although modest in size, Monmouth Castle preserves the essential core of a site that once controlled one of the most important crossings between England and Wales. Alternate names: Monmouth Castle, Castell Mynwy, Monnow Castle Monmouth Castle Monmouth Castle is one of the most historically significant castles in south east Wales, both as a key Norman frontier stronghold and as the birthplace of Henry V. Although only fragments survive today, the remaining stonework represents more than nine centuries of continuous political, military and administrative use. The castle was founded shortly after 1067, probably by William fitz Osbern, Earl of Hereford, who secured the Wye Valley for the Normans after the Conquest. The original castle was a classic motte and bailey, with a timber keep on the motte and service buildings in the bailey alongside what is now Monnow Street. Its position above the River Monnow allowed the Normans to oversee the important crossing at Monmouth and to control the routes into the Forest of Dean and the uplands of Gwent. During the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the timber structures were gradually replaced in stone. The most substantial surviving feature is the Great Tower, a powerful square keep built in the late twelfth century. Its massive walls and elevated position above the town made it one of the strongest early keeps in the Marches. Nearby are the remains of a hall block, a curtain wall, and parts of the domestic range that served the medieval household. Monmouth Castle played an important role in the political affairs of the March. It came under the control of the de Braose, Marshal, and de Bohun families, each among the most prominent lords of medieval Wales and England. It also served as an administrative centre, overseeing large portions of the lordship of Monmouth. In 1387, the castle became famous as the birthplace of Henry V, the future victor of Agincourt. The event is well documented and is one of the reasons the castle retains such strong cultural and historical recognition. The castle’s defensive importance began to wane by the fifteenth century as Monmouth grew into a market town. By the Civil War in the seventeenth century, the castle was used again for military purposes but was slighted by Parliamentarian forces in the 1640s to prevent further use. This led to the collapse and ruin of many of the buildings. Today the remains form part of a small, well maintained site adjacent to the Regimental Museum of the Royal Monmouthshire Royal Engineers, the oldest regiment in the British Army. Visitors can explore the upstanding walls of the Great Tower, sections of the hall range, and the earthworks that outline the earlier layout. Although modest in size, Monmouth Castle preserves the essential core of a site that once controlled one of the most important crossings between England and Wales.