Castles of Wales

A detailed Summary of Castles of Wales

Chepstow which is a Norman castle was constructed beginning in 1067. This was less than a year after the new king, William the Conqueror, was crowned.

It was built high over the river Wye in Southeast Wales.

The Norman's weren't the first to realize the strategic value of this position. We know this because the arch above the main doorway into the hall was built by bricks taken from a Roman fort that used to stand close by.

This position was an advantage partly because it allowed allies to bring supplies to the castle during times of battle and siege. They brought these supplies through the river.

All through the Middle Ages Chepstow remained the center of the military and also administrative power. In Strigoil's Marcher lordship.

Chepstow was built by William fitz-Osbern, a loyal Norman Lord.

A few months after the battle of Hastings in 1066 William fitz-Osbern then lord of Breteuil in Normandy was created earl of Hereford by William the Conqueror. He was stuck with the job of subduing the southern Welsh borderlands.

Before his death in 1071 he had completed the rectangular keep. This is the earliest dateable secular stone structure in Britain.

Inside the Great Hall men with considerable power planned strategies with other Welsh Marcher Lords. They mapped out invasions to gain control of the country that was still ruled by groups of powerful Princes.

The northgate on the farside was planned to have a second story. It was built only to hall level. Also another block of the same size for the Southgate was never built up more than its footings. Evidence around the edge of the ward show other buildings were planned. We can't be sure if in fact they were ever finished.

So this masterpiece of military architecture was sadly never completed, and it was just forgotten.

Remains founding the Inner Ward include pieces of curtain wall, domestic things, hall complex, a chapel tower and the keep.

It is located five miles west of Llandielo. It was built on a summit. This was abvious strategic position.

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Approximate Word count = 1554
Approximate Pages = 6 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: History

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Castles of Wales

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