Europe · United Kingdom · Pembrokeshire
Roch Castle
The story
History of Roch Castle
Roch Castle () is a 13th-century castle, located at Roch near Haverfordwest, Wales.
United Kingdom · Pembrokeshire
- Built
- 13th century
- Era
- Medieval
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Pembrokeshire
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 51.849, -5.079
In depth
The fuller history
Built by Norman knight Adam de Rupe circa 1200, probably on the site of an earlier wooden structure. Roche is the usual French word for rock, while rupestre signifies a plant growing among rocks.
Built at the same time as Pill Priory near Milford Haven, Roch Castle was probably built in this location as one of the outer defences of "Little England" or "Landsker", as it is located near the unmarked border which for centuries has separated the English and Welsh areas of Pembrokeshire.
Key dates
- 1200Built by Norman knight Adam de Rupe circa 1200, probably on the site of an earlier wooden structure.
- 1644The castle changed hands twice, before the Walter family fled when it was captured for a second time by the Parliamentary forces and subsequently burned in 1644.
- 1685It lay dormant and unclaimed until the return of Duke of Monmouth, who led a rebellion and was captured at the Battle of Sedgemoor, and then beheaded on 15 July 1685.
- 1900The castle remained decaying until 1900, when purchased by John Philipps, 1st Viscount St Davids, who restored it with a steel frame and new concrete floors to the designs of D.
- 2008The castle was purchased in 2008 by Keith Griffiths and was restored as a hotel.
- 2013Completed in 2013, the restoration was designed by Griffiths and Acanthus Holden.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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