late medieval castle located north village county south east wales modern castle dates 15th early 17th centuries successive ruling families created luxurious fortified castle complete large known great tower yellow tower surrounded water gardens castle considered contemporaries equal england wales english civil war castle held behalf charles taken parliamentary forces aftermath castle deliberately military use restoration charles_ii declined restore castle source local building materials romantic ruin modern tourist attraction history early history castle following norman invasion wales area village granted earl historians suspect early bailey castle built site period location strategic importance archaeologists discovered remains possible bailey ditch site local manor held family late 12th century late 14th century family built manor house site period surrounded park late medieval period site surrounded large deer parks enclosed end period 15th 16th centuries current begun sir william thomas lesser son minor welsh family rose ranks century politics benefits local offices held william married elizabeth wealthy thomas prove powerful regional figure right william purchased manor staying tenant marks commenced programme building work established basic shape castle seen today exception great tower later built william son dropped welsh version calling continued rise prominence supporting war roses fighting years war france making fortune wine trade closely associated welsh politics status earl described contemporary poets national achieve welsh independence william increasing wealth scale symbolism castle architecture reflected welsh family roots historian suggested towers possibly designed imitate castle architecture carries numerous allusions eventual return roman emperor wales resulting castle historian described formidable displays medieval defensive architecture important link surrounding particular suggests basis views castle time structured nature parks contrasted wilderness mountain peaks framing scene making important statement nature castle lord 15th century extensive fish ponds surrounding castle favourably commented contemporaries executed supporter building work stopped period son called late castle passed daughter married sir passing castle new family line sir politically successful henry_viii earl worcester son died shortly lead reclaimed help building work castle dissolution monasteries son grandson proved describes wealthy brilliant men william rebuilt including hall adding developing gardens new renaissance style somerset family owned key castles region appeared figured prominently important status symbols paintings owned family 17th century minor improvements interior castle start 17th century focused primarily exterior expanding developing gardens building moat walk great tower resulting gardens considered equal kingdom time 5th earl worcester continued live grand lifestyle castle host staff including steward master horse master interior walls hung rich france inventory taken recorded large number silver plate kept great tower including basket consumption luxury items wales popular drink castle contemporaries described castle particular sober respectful community henry developed entrance route castle including building red gate son edward lord famous building water commanding machine great tower steam pump huge water high air moat civil war broke rival royalist supporters king charles parliament held henry elderly man supported son lord men firm king charles sent son fund raising tour friendly regions starting october following henry promoted worcester tensions grew immediate region partially driven religious tensions protestant local people occasions local group attempted search castle reportedly driven away sudden noise lord steam engine defences improved modern built castle powder mill created garrison men established cost heavier cannon installed lighter pieces placed castle towers lord left castle join campaign parliament returning intervals acquire funds war charles visited castle twice june battle enjoyed playing castle green royalist cause close military collapse started send including oak plaster ceiling pictures brother nearby safe keeping lord captured ireland attack appeared imminent expectation siege castle garrison increased soldiers avenue trees outside castle gates cut neighbouring buildings destroyed avoid parliamentary forces large amounts food brought support growing castle community included number wider family regional royalist leaders sought shelter parliamentary army arrived early june command colonel morgan sir calls castle surrender siege ensued lasting summer months august additional parliamentary forces general arrived calls castle surrender renewed men began dig trenches castle mortars forward probably including famous bringing interior castle artillery range facing hopeless situation surrendered castle august relatively generous terms garrison arrested sent died shortly ordered castle totally destroyed supervision descendant william thomas fortifications proved strong walls destroyed describes event having atmosphere community festival local people castle moat search treasure emptied valuable castle library including important collection welsh documents books stolen destroyed despite immediate siege time restoration charles_ii somerset family managed recover possessions including decided rebuilding houses property sent away safety war salvaged 18th 21st centuries half 18th century castle continued deteriorate somerset family allowing quarry stone castle repair estate buildings particular estate surveyor called known grand number chimneys window frames removed castle 5th duke finally end practice castle tourist attraction popular tour seats fences bridges installed site published early 19th century great hall temporarily 1820s castle grand entertainment employed 10th duke gave commissioner works castle permanent tourist attraction today castle classed grade listed building scheduled monument administered architecture built phases initial work occurring major phase alterations additions end 16th century castle built stone initially pale sandstone later old red sandstone detailed features like similar properties period castle certainly designed approached entered particular way aesthetic political value fortification design highlighted great tower typical senior visitor ride tower rest castle appear suddenly slight rise hill visitor needed circle great tower moat coming gatehouse edge communal hall reaching previously hidden refined inner privileged guest able enter great tower overlooking family chambers senior visitors servants entered far seeing external elements castle having impressed outside great tower arrived discussion academics extent influenced contemporary french designs school thought suggests heavily influenced designs popular south france oppose school thought argue insufficient evidence draw conclusion line debate nature castle defences particular castles built time appear built concern defences past military features symbolic real numerous castle defences ill placed intention use conflict barely traditionally evolutionary explanation given early period later surpassed castles recent explanations emphasis prestigious symbolism family built castle impossible use notes better sited time owner date symbolism suggests poor placing aesthetic purposes actually conversation point visitors experience fighting france correct placing defences gatehouse storey gatehouse dates approached stone bridge restored characterised extensive gatehouse originally twin set intention design partially defensive intended provide dramatic impressive entrance senior visitors castle upper gatehouse provided chambers constable castle immediately west gatehouse castle library famous collection welsh literature east gatehouse storey designed integral gatehouse contained original castle treasury accessible constable closet tower partly altered later years possibly allow basement magazine english civil war forms north east corner castle provided centre castle services servants takes late tudor pitched stones east court office wing 16th century construction destroyed siege castle north containing large storage facilities food supplies floors buildings included chambers senior servants north west corner store serve beer wine south west court hall 16th century design incorporating earlier hall site feet metres wide hall originally feet metres high roof irish oak lit middle large window lit end hall occupied dinner worcester time built larger formal occasions originally hall fitted carved wooden gallery lies west named marble fountain stood centre featuring white horse black marble base complete flow running water fountain probably installed somewhat initial construction court dating instead late 16th century horse edward prestigious role master horse built provide luxurious accommodation family guests 15th century important able provide private chambers visitors court hold distinct groups visitors comfort marked described extremely fine elegant delicate stonework castle chapel runs alongside east court feet metres long originally laid bright yellow tiles decorated gold silver stretches east floor ruined piece wealth power gallery feet metres long tudor period wood lined paintings intended allow family guests relax inside admire gardens water gardens deer park north castle decoration lost statues seen walls modelled work french artist west comprises apartments number bay windows window seats facing west north park divides apartments restored staircase originally substantial porch similar survives centre piece apartments west staircase complex designed create somewhat greater privacy overlooked gardens west castle south court original entrance castle prior reconstruction fan vaulted gatehouse closely resembles contemporary 16th century converted entrance bowling green terrace south east court 16th century floor dining room feet intended provide rooms private main hall public personal chamber ruined originally decorated carved elaborate carved chimney pieces alongside rooms overlooking great tower private rooms lord family higher quality accommodation castle carved shields external walls state apartments remain intact hall popular contemporary feature 15th century great castles created similar effect great tower great tower called yellow tower sits outside rest castle protected moat linked bridge fortification representative trend 15th 16th centuries british castle building tower keeps large solid buildings designed private accommodation probably inspired france started appear 14th century 15th century fashion spread creation french influenced castles featuring complex tower keeps expensive buildings construct built unique design historian suggested designed allow rich men live luxury great tower probably begun possibly previous castle tower today lost walls upper structure originally storeys high probably additional similar gatehouse designed self contained fortification water food supplies luxurious quarters lit large windows upper floors originally tower reached usually considered drawn contemporary french designs designed parts wide heavy bridge raised lowered family residence thinner bridge easier lift designed use servants times bridge badge seen carved window designs castle replaced stone bridge probably cost apron wall turrets added tower time original moat tower simple design redesigned provide walkway outside great tower walls walkway 17th century origin originally held classical statues walkway provided way great tower likely fish bred moat landscape gardens 16th 17th century gardens visible form long north castle overlooking lower ground created second half 16th century originally included number knot gardens probably sculpture carved stone gardens peak probably resembled palace interest royal keepers valley retains signs drainage ditches formed water gardens flooded site original water north west castle water garden south extensive gardens south west castle longer visible castle bowling green survives terrace entrance castle parks reverted agricultural use 19th century surrounded fields
Raglan Castle