Europe · United Kingdom · Monmouthshire
Skenfrith Castle
The story
History of Skenfrith Castle
Skenfrith Castle () is a ruined castle in the village of Skenfrith in Monmouthshire, Wales. The fortification was established by the Normans in the wake of the invasion of England in 1066, to protect the route from Wales to Hereford.
United Kingdom · Monmouthshire
- Built
- 12th century
- Era
- Medieval
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Monmouthshire
- UNESCO
- —
- Coordinates
- 51.878, -2.790
In depth
The fuller history
At the end of the 12th century, Skenfrith was rebuilt in stone. In 1201, King John gave the castle to a powerful royal official, Hubert de Burgh. During the course of the next few decades, it passed back and forth between several owners, including Hubert, the rival de Braose family, and the Crown. Hubert levelled the old castle and built a new rectangular fortification with round towers and a circular keep.
Edward I's conquest of Wales in 1282 removed much of Skenfrith Castle's military utility, and by the 16th century it had fallen into disuse and ruin. The castle was placed into the care of the state by the National Trust in 1936, and is now managed by the Cadw heritage agency.
Key dates
- 1066Skenfrith Castle was built in the wake of the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
- 1186In response, the Crown readied the castle to face an attack, and in 1186, £43 was spent developing the defences followed by more work in 1190, probably establishing a stone keep and curtain wall.
- 1244Walerund built a new chapel at the castle in 1244, and repaired the keep's roof.
- 1254In 1254, Skenfrith Castle and its sister fortifications were granted to King Henry's eldest son, and later king, Prince Edward.
- 1267In 1267 it was granted to Edmund, the Earl of Lancaster, and remained in the hands of the earldom, and later duchy, of Lancaster until 1825.
- 1825In 1825, the Three Castles were sold off to Henry Somerset, the Duke of Beaufort.
Historical summary drawn from Wikipedia. Read the full article.
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