Grosmont Castle (South Wales)

Substantial remains of thirteenth-century castle.

Summary 13th century buildings (or older)

Introduction

Substantial remains of thirteenth-century castle of Hubert de Burgh, raised on an earlier motte. It was later remodelled by the house of Lancaster.  

History to the present day

The Three Castles stand in the open countryside of Monmouthshire, where the valley of the river Monnow creates a gap in the natural defences of the southern Welsh border. They were first raised as earth and timber castles, perhaps during the earliest Norman advance into the area by William fitz Osbern (d.1071), earl of Hereford. King Stephen (1135-54) united the strongholds in the single territorial lordship of the Three Castles in about 1138.

The transformation of the Three Castles into masonry fortresses began in the late twelfth century, when White Castle’s inner ward defences were replaced in stone. Grosmont and Skenfrith retained their wooden fortifications until the early decades of the thirteenth century, when Hubert de Burgh (d.1243) held the lordship of the Three Castles.

The castles were modified as they changed owners over the centuries, and while they briefly resumed a military role in 1404–05, during the revolt of Owain Glyndwr, the Three Castles were disused and abandoned by 1538. 

Arrival information and how to find us

Address: Grosmont Castle, South Wales, , United Kingdom

Opening times:

 

Open site all year round.

 

Open sites are unstaffed and open to the public with no admission charge at all reasonable times, usually between 10.00 and 16.00 daily.

 

 

Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.