'MyProject'  (add page) | Contact | About | Site Map | Guestbook
 » Home » Places » Raglan Castle - [Castle] (SO 4136 0812)

DetailsGoogle Maps ViewMedieval Map

Raglan Castle's construction, as it is seen today, was begun by Sir William ap Thomas. Located between Abergavenny and Monmouth in south Wales, the castle was built in the fifteenth century and much of it still remains. William ap Thomas had fought at Agincourt beside King Henry V and was knighted by Henry VI. He was known as the 'blue knight of Gwent'. Sir William married Elizabeth Bloet who had inherited the site on which the present castle stands from her father. It is thought that the site originally consisted of a motte and bailey castle and that the Bloet family had a manor house there. The castle has a large six-sided tower known as the 'Yellow Tower of Ghent' due to the colour of its stone. The tower is surrounded by its own moat and accessed via a drawbridge. When Elizabeth died in 1420, Sir William was able to maintain possession of the castle by an agreement with his stepson. Sir Sir William died in 1445 and his eldest son, William Herbert, carried on the building work. William was a Yorkist supporter and created Earl of Pembroke. He was executed after defeat at Edgecote in 1469.




This image shows an artistic impression


Mini Timeline

YearMonthDetails
Early Modern Period (1500-1800) - Under Construction
1645 Sep 24 Battle of Rowton Heath
  King Charles had been staying at Raglan Castle but the fall of his support in the south west meant that he was not safe there. Charles decided to move north to meet Montrose who he believed was marching south from Scotland. Charles was unaware of Montrose's defeat at Philiphaugh on the 13th. Charles reached Chester which was held by the Royalists but under siege and entered the city. An attempt to free the city failed and Charles abandoned the city and headed for Newark.1 



See Also
  Sir William ap Thomas
  Herbert, William
  Neville, Richard (Earl of Warwick, 'The Kingmaker')
Virtual Building


Images

Raglan Castle

  View more images
  TimeRef Flickr photograph pool


Related Maps

  Map of Castles
  Medieval Map

Google Earth links

  View location in Google Earth
  Google Earth Placemarks

Related Information

  Location of over 350 castles!
  Castle construction timeline
  Timeline of castle development
  Parts of a castle
  Medieval keep towers

Feedback

  Answer Questionnaire
  Questionnaire results

Worth Visiting?
Have you visited this place? Rate it now
54321
5 = Excellent, 3 = Good, 1 = Poor



Selection of references used:

  1. C.H.Frith,Cromwell,1935
Map Options

Microsoft Silverlight

To view the interactive TimeRef 'old map' you need to install Microsoft Silverlight.

Please click on the link below to install Silverlight from the Microsoft website.

Get Microsoft Silverlight
Top of Page
Bookmark this page with: StumbleUpon ToolbarStumbleUpon    Delicious Delicious
TimeRef Home Page   Episodes of Medieval History   Key Dates in Medieval History
People   Places   3D Buildings   Maps
Glossary of Terms   Architecture   Games