Europe · United Kingdom · Herefordshire
Snodhill Castle
The story
History of Snodhill Castle
Snodhill Castle is a ruined motte-and-bailey castle, about 1 mi (1.6 km) south of the village of Dorstone in west Herefordshire, England. It is recognized as one of the major castles of the Welsh Marches.
United Kingdom · Herefordshire
- Built
- 11th century
- Era
- Medieval
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Herefordshire
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 52.058, -2.990
In depth
The fuller history
The origins of the castle are obscure, there were two theories about its creation: one, that it was built by a follower of William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford before 1086 and two, that it was built by Roger de Chandos after a land exchange with Malvern Priory in 1127. However recent archaeological investigation finding a very early stone hall keep buried beneath (and incorporated into) the existing multangular keep on top of the motte (the motte dating from 1167) and similarly early curtain walls defining a small triangular bailey have led to re-evaluation of the castle's early history.
There is a castell a mile and more benethe Dorston apon the right ripe of Dour. It is called Snothil, and ther is a parke wallyd, and a castle in it on a hill caulled Southill, and therby is undar the castle a quarrey of marble. The castle is somewhat in ruine. Ther is a Fre Chappell. This castle longyd to Chandos.
Elizabeth I granted Snodhill, along with other Warwick holdings, to Robert Dudley, 1st Earl of Leicester. Some sources state that the castle was besieged during the English Civil Wars, Evidence has been found for both slighting of the keep and organized demolition after the civil war. By the mid-17th century, the manor and castle had gone into the hands of the Prosser family and their relatives, the Powells, who held the property until it was sold in 1940.
Key dates
- 1066The construction of the motte was immediately after the Norman Conquest in 1066.
- 1071Snodhill Castle was then granted to Hugh L'Asne before FitzOsbern's death in 1071, the whole border area from Chepstow to Shropshire having been parceled up and granted by the Earl to his close supporters.
- 1142The castle was first referenced in 1142.
- 1428Chandos died without an heir in 1428 and his holdings were inherited by the Beauchamp family, relatives of his wife.
- 1988The deterioration of the surviving fabric resulted in Snodhill being added to the Heritage at Risk Register in 1988.
- 2022However, in 2022, archaeologists working at the castle confirmed the location and survival of the chapel’s remains in the southeast corner of the castle’s main bailey, and an appeal was launched to raise funds to…
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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