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Located on the ancient roadway that led to the nearby Roman town of Caerwent, Caldicot has long been known for its strategic value. These days, however, you will find the castle as a beautifully restored landmark, surrounded by parkland walks and beautiful scenery. Inside the castle grounds you will find ample grassy picnic space, guided tours and food. All of this makes Caldicot Castle a perfect place to visit and take the family on a beautiful day out.
Filmed: Summer 2021
Music: Vindsvept, fantasy music - • To Uncharted Lands - F...
Entry: Free
---- Short History ----
- The lands of Caldicot were first known to be owned by the Sheriff of Gloucester in 1086.
- Walter FitzRoger inherited the lands. His son, Milo, was granted Earldom of Hereford.
- And by 1100 the castle was likely a simple motte-and-bailey.
- Milo’s five sons died childless so his titles and land passed to his eldest daughter Margaret.
- She married Humphrey II de Bohun and their son Humphrey III de Bohun is the likely builder (around 1170) of the present-day stone keep and curtain walls. At nine feet thick and four storeys tall, it made the keep almost impenetrable.
- With spiral staircases, hooded fireplaces, windows with seats and a semi-circular latrine turret all provided comfort for the dwellers.
- They kept the castle for over 200 years.
- In 1376, it passed to Thomas of Woodstock, fifth son of King Edward III. He would later become a key advisor to his nephew, King Richard II.
- Thomas spent most of his time in Essex until the Peasants’ Revolt led to him spending most of that year in Caldicot.
- During this time he ordered major work be done. Including a new gatehouse and drawbridge and the Woodstock tower, which at the base can be seen the names Thomas and his wife Alianore.
- But, in 1397, under the orders of his nephew, King Richard II, he was kidnapped and killed, after their relationship strained. And Caldicot passed to the Crown.
- Alianore’s sister was Mary de Bohun, wife to the future King Henry IV. Although she never lived to be queen.
- So when Alianore died, her daughter would lose the castle to Mary’s son, King Henry V. And the castle passed to the Duchy of Lancaster.
- Eventually Caldicot was granted into the stewardship of the Herbert family. And then leased in the sixteenth century to their successors the Somersets with their power base at Raglan.
- It would later be neglected and allowed to fall into ruin and then not more than a farmyard.
- Over time it would be sold until in 1885 Joseph Richard Cobb bought it and began restoring it as a family home.
- They owned it up until the 20th century. And having owned Nelson’s first flagship, HMS Foudroyant, at the end of its life, decided to decorate many rooms with its memorabilia.
- Some rooms would be rented out until in 1964 the Chepstow Rural District Council bought the castle from the Cobb family for £12,000.
- A year later it was opened to the public and a small museum added.
#Castle #Wales #Caldicot
---- Further Reading ----
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldico...
- www.castlewales.com/caldicot.html
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24 сен 2021
