Monmouth, The Castle 1896

Photo ref: 38693

More about this scene

Here we see the overgrown and sadly-neglected ruin of Monmouth Castle as it looked in 1893. The fortress was built by William Fitz Osbern between 1067 and 1071, and was one of a chain of strongholds erected to hold down south-east Wales. By 1100 it was an important place, the seat of the Marcher Lordship of Monmouth. The title was then held by William Fitz Baderon, and it would remain in his family for over 150 years. When the last of the male line of the Fitz Baderons died, the castle was bequeathed to no less a person than Prince Edward, the son of Henry III; as Edward I he would become perhaps the most capable and yet most ruthless king ever to sit on the throne of England. Whilst in Prince Edward's possession, Monmouth was attacked and taken by Simon de Montfort, though Edward soon regained it. In 1267 it was given to Edward's younger brother Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster. It was here in 1387 that the future King Henry V was born.