Goodrich Castle is situated overlooking a crossing point on the river Wye a few miles south-west of Ross-on-Wye. First mentioned in connection with Godric Mappestone in 1101, an owner of land in the area, the castle probably consisted of a simple enclosure and watch tower. Henry II took possession of the castle and the keep may have been part of his limited improvements. During the war between Stephen and Matilda, the castle belonged to William Fitz Baderon, Lord of Monmouth (or the Clare family?).The castle returned to royal ownership in 1176. In 1204, Goodrich was given to William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke by King John , but in 1245 on the death of William's fourth son, childless, the castle passed into the hands of William de Valence (half brother of Henry III). William de Valence and his son Aymer did extensive rebuilding work around 1280 in a style more common with the Edwardian castles of Wales. The bases of the corner towers form spurs which are designed to prevent undermining, a technique for bringing the walls of the castle down. Aymer de Valance died in 1324 and the castle passed into the hands of the Talbot fmaily who were to become the Shrewsbury earls.
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