Grosmont
Grosmont, one of the three castles of the Trilateral,
was possibly founded by Earl William Fitz Osbern before his death in Febraury 1071.
It later became the caput of the lordship of Pain Fitz John (d.1137) who dominated
South Wales under Henry
I. The early building - the hall block - is more
administrative than defensive. The site witnessed a decisive
defeat of King
Henry III by the Earl Marshall and Prince Llywelyn ab
Iorwerth (d.1240) in November 1233, the castle's main claim to
historical fame. Grosmont was modified into a palace after
1267 by Edmund Crouchback (d.1296), the younger brother of Edward I.
As such it is of exceptional interest.
The main, but hidden feature of the site is an early rectangular hall
block of 1068-1130. This consists of 2 storeys and is now
but an empty shell of its former self, despite the many creature
comforts found within the ruin. The earthworks suggest that
this and a D shaped bailey were made at the same time and surrounded by
a deep rock cut ditch, from which the hall block was partially
made. Between 1224 and 1226, Earl Hubert Burgh of Kent, the
heroic defender of Chinon
and Dover castles,
added a curtain wall, an unusual gatehouse, as well as 3 D shaped
towers, one of which is still largely climbable. When Earl
Edmund Crouchback of Lancaster (d.1296) took over he converted the
castle into a home, adding apartment blocks and a most beautiful
chimney. The octagonal tower on the expanded Norman Grosmont
church may also have been built by him.
Why
not join me at other Lost Welsh Castles next Spring?
Please see the information on tours at Scholarly
Sojourns.
Copyright©2019
Paul Martin Remfry