Editing Usk (section)

===Norman times===
After the fortress was abandoned, it continued to be occupied as a civilian settlement, with evidence of ironworking.  The [[Normans]] also realised Usk's geographical and military importance within the region, and the powerful [[de Clare]] family built [[Usk Castle]] as part of their plans for controlling the area's resources and people. The castle, now hidden from view by surrounding trees planted in the early 20th century, is one of the few castles still privately owned and occupied.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.uskcastle.com |title=Official Website |publisher=Usk Castle |access-date=14 January 2011}}</ref>

The town was laid out in rectangular building plots, centred on the market square. Markets were originally held in Twyn Square, ''twyn'' being a [[Welsh language|Welsh]] word for "[[hillock]]".<ref name=towntrail/>