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==History== ===Early history of the castle=== Following the Norman invasion of Wales, the area around the village of [[Raglan, Monmouthshire|Raglan]] was granted to [[William FitzOsbern, 1st Earl of Hereford|William FitzOsbern]], the [[Earl of Hereford]].<ref name=Kenyon2003P3>Kenyon (2003), p.3.</ref> Some historians, such as John Kenyon, suspect that an early [[motte and bailey]] castle may have been built on the Raglan site during this period: the location had strategic importance and archaeologists have discovered the remains of a possible bailey ditch on the site.<ref name=Kenyon2003P3/> The local manor was held by the Bloet family from the late 12th century until the late 14th century, and the family built a manor house somewhere on the site during this period, surrounded by a park.<ref>Kenyon (2003), pp.3–4.</ref> By the late medieval period the Raglan site was surrounded by the large [[Medieval deer park|deer parks]] of Home Park and Red Deer Park, the latter being enclosed at the end of the period.<ref name=Kenyon2003P11>Kenyon (2003), p.11.</ref> ===15th to 16th centuries=== [[File:Raglan Reconstruction.jpg|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Reconstruction of Raglan Castle around 1620]] The current Raglan Castle was begun by [[William ap Thomas|Sir William ap Thomas]], the lesser son of a minor Welsh family who rose through the ranks of mid-15th century politics, profiting from the benefits of the local offices he held.<ref>Kenyon (2003), p.4; Emery (2006), p.281.</ref> William married first Elizabeth, a wealthy heiress, and then Gwladus, another heiress who would prove to be a powerful regional figure in her own right.<ref>Johnson, p.88; Kenyon (2003), p.6.</ref> In 1432, [[Sir]] William purchased the manor of Raglan, where he had already been staying as a tenant, for 1,000 [[Mark (money)|mark]]s (£666 13s 4d) and commenced a programme of building work that established the basic shape of the castle as seen today, although most of it—with the exception of the South Gate and the Great Tower—was later built over.<ref name=Kenyon2003P7>Kenyon (2003), p.7.</ref>{{#tag:ref|It is difficult to accurately compare 15th century and modern prices or incomes. For comparison, an average baron in 1436 enjoyed an annual income of £500.<ref name=P148>Pounds, p.148.</ref>|group="nb"}} Sir William's son dropped the Welsh version of his name, calling himself [[William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1423–1469)|William Herbert]].<ref name=Kenyon2003P7/> He continued to rise in prominence, supporting the [[House of York]] during the [[War of the Roses]], fighting in the [[Hundred Years War]] in France but making his fortune from the [[Gascony|Gascon]] wine trade.<ref>Kenyon (2003), p.9.</ref> He was also closely associated with Welsh politics and status; he was the first Welshman to be made an earl and was described by contemporary poets as the "national deliverer" who might achieve Welsh independence.<ref>Johnson, p.88; Kenyon (2003), p.9.</ref> In the 1460s William used his increasing wealth to remodel Raglan on a much grander scale.<ref>Kenyon (2003), p.10.</ref> The symbolism of the castle architecture may have reflected the Welsh family roots: historian Matthew Johnson has suggested that the polygonal towers were possibly designed to imitate those of [[Caernarfon Castle]], whose architecture carries numerous allusions to the eventual return of a Roman Emperor to Wales.<ref>Johnson, p.89.</ref> Historian Anthony Emery has described the resulting castle as one of the "last formidable displays of medieval defensive architecture".<ref>Emery (2006), p.281.</ref> There was an important link between Raglan Castle and the surrounding [[Medieval deer park|parkland]], in particular the Home Park and the Red Deer Park.<ref name=Kenyon2003P11/> Historian Robert Liddiard suggests that on the basis of the views from the castle at this time, the structured nature of the parks would have contrasted with the wilderness of the mountain peaks framing the scene beyond, making an important statement about the refinement and cultured nature of the castle lord.<ref>Liddiard, p.113.</ref> In the 15th century there were also extensive orchards and fish ponds surrounding the castle, favourably commented upon by contemporaries.<ref name=Kenyon2003P11/> [[File:Raglan Castle Gatehouse and library.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|The state apartments (left), library (centre) and gatehouse (right)]] William Herbert was executed as a Yorkist supporter in 1469 after the [[Battle of Edgecote Moor]]. Building work may have stopped for a period under his son, also called [[William Herbert, 2nd Earl of Pembroke|William Herbert]], before recommencing in the late 1470s.<ref>Kenyon (2003), p.12.</ref> By 1492, the castle passed to [[Elizabeth Somerset, Baroness Herbert|Elizabeth Somerset]], William Herbert's daughter, who married Sir [[Charles Somerset, 1st Earl of Worcester|Charles Somerset]], passing the castle into a new family line.<ref name=Kenyon2003P13>Kenyon (2003), p.13.</ref> Sir Charles Somerset was politically successful under both [[Henry VII of England|Henry VII]] and [[Henry VIII of England|Henry VIII]], being made the [[Earl of Worcester]].<ref name=Kenyon2003P13/> His son, [[Henry Somerset, 2nd Earl of Worcester|Henry Somerset]], died shortly after inheriting Raglan, but not before using [[lead]] reclaimed from [[Tintern Abbey]] to help the building work at Raglan Castle during the [[dissolution of the monasteries]].<ref name=Kenyon2003P13/> His son and grandson, [[William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester|William Somerset]] and [[Edward Somerset, 4th Earl of Worcester|Edward Somerset]], proved to be what John Kenyon describes as "wealthy, brilliant and cultured men".<ref name=Kenyon2003P13/> William rebuilt much of the Pitched Stone Court, including the hall, adding the Long Gallery and developing the gardens into the new [[Renaissance architecture|Renaissance]] style.<ref>Kenyon (2003), p.14.</ref> The Somerset family owned two key castles in the region, Raglan and [[Chepstow Castle|Chepstow]], and these appeared to have figured prominently as important status symbols in paintings owned by the family.<ref>Kenyon (2003), p.17; Strong, p.41.</ref> ===17th century=== [[File:Raglan Castle Civil War bastons.png|thumb|left|upright=1.0|Aerial photograph, showing the defences constructed during the [[First English Civil War]]; red and blue triangles represent the location of Parliamentarian and Royalist earthwork [[bastion]]s; A and B indicate the locations of the Parliamentary and Royalist artillery batteries.]] Edward Somerset made minor improvements to the interior of the castle at the start of the 17th century, but focused primarily on the exterior, expanding and developing the gardens and building the moat walk around the Great Tower.<ref name="Kenyon 2003, p.17">Kenyon (2003), p.17.</ref> The resulting gardens were considered the equal of any others in the kingdom at the time.<ref name=Kenyon2003P18>Kenyon (2003), p.18.</ref> Upon inheriting Raglan in 1628, [[Henry Somerset, 1st Marquess of Worcester|Henry Somerset]], then the 5th Earl of Worcester, continued to live a grand lifestyle in the castle in the 1630s, with a host of staff, including a steward, Master of Horse, Master of Fishponds, surveyors, auditors, ushers, a falconer and many footmen.<ref name=TribeP1>Tribe, p.1.</ref> The interior walls were hung with rich tapestries from [[Arras]] in France, while an inventory taken in 1639 recorded a large number of silver and gilt plate kept in the Great Tower, including an ostrich egg cup,<ref>''HMC 12th Report, part 9: Duke of Beaufort'' (London, 1891), pp. 6-8.</ref> and a silver basket for oranges and lemons, then luxury items in Wales.<ref name=TribeP3>Tribe, p.3.</ref> Mead was a popular drink in the castle, but contemporaries described the castle as being a particular sober and respectful community.<ref>Tribe, pp.3–4.</ref> Henry developed the entrance route to the castle, including building the Red Gate.<ref name=Kenyon2003P18/> His son [[Edward Somerset, 2nd Marquess of Worcester|Edward, Lord Herbert]] became famous for building a "[[Steam engine|water commanding machine]]" in the Great Tower, which used steam to pump a huge spout of water high into the air from the moat.<ref name=Kenyon2003P18/> In August 1642 the First English Civil War began between [[Cavaliers|Royalist]] supporters of [[Charles I of England|Charles I]] and [[Parliament of England|Parliament]]. Raglan Castle was still held by Henry, then an elderly man, supported by his son, Lord Herbert.<ref name=TribeP1/> Both men were firm royalists.<ref name=TribeP1/> King Charles sent his own son, Prince [[Charles II of England|Charles]], on a fund-raising tour of friendly regions, starting with Raglan Castle in October 1642, following which Henry was promoted to be the first [[Marquess of Worcester]].<ref name=TribeP3/> Tensions grew in the immediate region, partially driven by religious tensions between some of the more [[Protestant]] local people and the [[Roman Catholic]] Marquess; on one of these occasions a local group attempted to search the castle, but were reportedly driven away by the sudden noise of Lord Herbert's steam-engine.<ref>Tribe, p.5.</ref> The defences of Raglan were improved after this, with [[Star fort|modern earthwork]] [[bastion]]s built around the castle and a [[powder mill]] created; a garrison of around 300 men was established at a cost of £40,000.<ref>Tribe, pp.4, 6; Kenyon (2003), p.19.</ref>{{#tag:ref|It is difficult to accurately compare 17th century and modern prices or incomes. £40,000 could equate to between £5,510,000 to £63,700,000, depending on the measure used. For comparison, the Marquess's annual income was believed to be around £20,000 a year.<ref>Financial comparison based on the RPI index, using ''[http://www.measuringworth.com/index.php Measuring Worth Five Ways to Compute the Relative Value of a UK Pound Amount, 1830 to Present]'', MeasuringWorth, accessed 21 April 2011; Pugin, p.23.</ref>|group="nb"}} Heavier cannon were installed in the bastions, with lighter pieces placed in the castle towers.<ref name="Kenyon 2003, p.20">Kenyon (2003), p.20.</ref> Lord Herbert left the castle to join the campaign against Parliament, returning at intervals to acquire more funds for the war.<ref>Tribe, p.6.</ref> Charles I himself visited the castle twice, first in June 1645 after the [[battle of Naseby]] and again in 1646, when he enjoyed playing [[bowls]] on the castle's green.<ref>Tribe, pp.6–7.</ref> The Royalist cause was now close to military collapse, and the Marquess started to send some valuables, including the oak panelling from the parlour, some plaster ceiling and many pictures, to his brother at nearby [[Troy House]] for safe-keeping.<ref name=TribeP8>Tribe, p.8.</ref> Lord Herbert was captured in Ireland, and an attack on Raglan itself appeared imminent.<ref name=TribeP8/> [[File:The hexagonal Great Tower, Raglan Castle - geograph.org.uk - 1531739.jpg|thumb|right|upright=1.0|The [[Slighting|slighted]] side of the Great Tower]] In expectation of a siege, the castle garrison was increased to around 800 soldiers; the avenue of trees outside the castle gates were cut down, and neighbouring buildings destroyed to prevent their being used by Parliamentary forces.<ref>Tribe, p.8; Kenyon (2003), p.19.</ref> Large amounts of food were brought in to support the growing castle community, which also included a number of the wider Herbert family and other regional Royalist leaders who had sought shelter there.<ref name=TribeP9>Tribe, p.9.</ref> The first Parliamentary army arrived in early June, under the command of Colonel Morgan and Sir [[Sir Trevor Williams, 1st Baronet|Trevor Williams]].<ref>Tribe, pp.9–10.</ref> After several calls for the castle to surrender, a siege ensued, lasting through the summer months.<ref name=TribeP9/> In August, additional Parliamentarian forces under General [[Thomas Fairfax, 3rd Lord Fairfax of Cameron|Fairfax]] arrived, and calls for the castle to surrender were renewed.<ref name=TribeP11>Tribe, p.11.</ref> Fairfax's men began to dig trenches towards the castle, and used these to move [[Mortar (weapon)|mortars]] forward, probably including the famous "[[Roaring Meg (cannon)|Roaring Meg]]", bringing the interior of the castle into artillery range.<ref name=TribeP11/> Facing a hopeless situation, the Marquess surrendered the castle on 19 August on relatively generous terms for the garrison.<ref name=TribeP11/> The Marquess himself was arrested and sent to [[Windsor Castle]], where he died shortly afterwards.<ref name=TribeP11/> Informed shortly before his death that Parliament had granted his request to be buried in the [[St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle|family vault]] at Windsor, the Marquess remarked; "Why then I shall have a better castle when I am dead, than they took from me when alive."<ref name=ClarkP64>Clark, (1953), p.64.</ref> [[File:Raglan Castle (0245).jpg|thumb|The buttress in the Pitched Stone Court was damaged during the slighting of the castle. Archaeologist Lila Rakoczy suggested that the depth of the stone being removed indicates that a statue or decorative form of stone was originally present, and the removal of high-status and visually prominent material would have been a symbolic act.<ref>Rakoczy, p.140–141</ref>]] Fairfax ordered the castle to be totally destroyed under the supervision of Henry Herbert, a descendant of William ap Thomas.<ref name=TribeP12>Tribe, p.12.</ref> The fortifications proved too strong, however, and only a few of the walls were destroyed, or [[slighting|slighted]].<ref name=TribeP12/> Historian Matthew Johnson describes the event as having the atmosphere of a "community festival", as local people dredged the castle moat in search of treasure, and emptied the fishponds of valuable [[carp]].<ref>Johnson, p.174, cited Whittle (1990).</ref> The [[Raglan Library|castle's library]], including an important collection of Welsh documents and books, was either stolen or destroyed.<ref name="Kenyon 2003, p.20"/> Despite some immediate confiscations after the siege, by the time of the [[Restoration (England)|Restoration]] of [[Charles II of England|Charles II]], the Somerset family had managed to recover most of their possessions, including Raglan Castle.<ref name=Kenyon2003P22>Kenyon (2003), p.22.</ref> [[Henry Somerset, 1st Duke of Beaufort|Henry Somerset]], the 3rd Marquess, decided to prioritise the rebuilding of his other houses at [[Troy House|Troy]] and [[Badminton House|Badminton]], rather than Raglan, reusing some of the property sent away for safety before the war, or salvaged after the slighting.<ref name=Kenyon2003P22/> ===18th to 21st centuries=== [[File:Raglan Castle (3375041).jpg|Engraving of the state of the castle in 1798|thumb|left|upright=1.0]] For the first half of the 18th century, the castle continued to deteriorate, with the Somerset family allowing their stewards to quarry stone from the castle for the repair of other estate buildings.<ref>Durant, p.85, cited Hainsworth, p.137.</ref> One particular estate surveyor called Hopkins became known as the "Grand Dilapidator", due to the number of chimneys, window frames and staircases he had removed from the castle.<ref name=Kenyon2003P23>Kenyon (2003), p.23.</ref> [[Henry Somerset, 5th Duke of Beaufort|Henry Somerset]], the 5th Duke, finally put an end to this practice in 1756, and the castle became a tourist attraction, part of the popular [[Wye Tour]].<ref name=Kenyon2003P23/> Seats, fences and bridges were installed, and the first guidebook to the site was published in the early 19th century.<ref name=Kenyon2003P23/> [[File:Ragland castle on porcelain.jpg|thumb]] The Great Hall was temporarily re-roofed in the 1820s, when the castle was used for a "Grand Entertainment" by the Somersets, and in 1830 [[Jeffrey Wyattville]] was employed to reinstate the Grand Staircase.<ref>Kenyon (2003), p.23; ''[http://www.cadw.wales.gov.uk/default.asp?id=21&NewsId=345. Grand re-opening for Raglan Castle’s ‘Hokey-Cokey’ Staircase]'', Cadw, accessed 18 April 2011.</ref> The Monmouthshire antiquarian [[Joseph Bradney]] recorded a visit to the castle by [[Edward VII]] and [[Alexandra of Denmark|Queen Alexandra]], then [[Prince of Wales|Prince]] and [[Princess of Wales|Princess]] of Wales, in October 1881.<ref name=Bradney1992P31>Bradney (1992), p.31.</ref> In 1938 [[Henry Somerset, 10th Duke of Beaufort|Henry Somerset]], the 10th Duke, entrusted guardianship of Raglan Castle to the [[First Commissioner of Works|Commissioner of Works]],<ref name=Newman2000P491>Newman, p.491; ''[http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/rd/b473fe59-9c35-4351-b393-73c0d376358b BADMINTON MUNIMENTS Volume II Estate and Household]'', The National Archives, accessed 7 February 2017.</ref> and the castle became a permanent tourist attraction.<ref name=Kenyon2003P23/> Today, the castle is classed as a Grade I [[listed building]] and as a [[Scheduled Monument]], administered by [[Cadw]].<ref>{{National Historic Assets of Wales|num=2101 |desc=Raglan Castle |grade=I |access-date=22 July 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{NHAW|uid=2342|num=MM005|desc=Raglan Castle|class=SM|access-date=10 January 2023}}</ref> Between 2003 and 2007 Cambrian Archaeological Projects led excavations at the castle in advance of a planned new visitor centre.<ref>Smith, pp.123–124.</ref>
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