Full Version: White Castle
Hey Andrew what do you have on White Castle? My info is kinda sketchy and sparse.
I have this from a book by John Kinross entitled "Discovering Castles in England and Wales".
Near Abergavenny off the B4521 and B4233, the castle is one of the trilateral Gwent castles of the Welsh border. The first known owner was Payn Fitz John, a soldier of Henry I’s army. The first structure on this remote hill was probably a wooden tower which was replaced before the beginning of the 13th century by a rectangular stone keep surrounded by a curtain enceinte. The owner was then William de Braose, and later his son, who gained control over the castle during the troubled years of King John’s reign.
The main building of the castle dates from about 1263 when Prince Edward strengthened his border fortresses against the threat of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. The main entrance was transferred from the north to the south which explains the hornwork in moat that originally protected the first entrance into the keep. An outer ward was constructed with thick palisaded banks.
There appears to have been no siege or battle at White Castle, and unlike Grosmont or Skenfrith, its building were purely of a military nature. It was used as a rent collecting centre and as a mustering point for the war against the Scots. It belonged to the Duchy of Lancaster until the accession of Henry IV, when it became Crown property. In 1825 it was sold to the Duke of Beaufort and in 1922 it passed to the Ministry of Public Building and Works, who carried out repairs in the 1920s and more recently built the gatehouse stair and platform whence fine views can be obtained. During World War II an occasional visitor was Rudolf Hess who, after his flight to Scotland, was kept in an Abergavenny mental home.
I also have some information in the Mike Salter book, as well as a further book produced by Cadw which describes White, Grosmont and Skenfrith castles in greater detail.
I will look them out tomorrow and start copying some of the info for you.
Near Abergavenny off the B4521 and B4233, the castle is one of the trilateral Gwent castles of the Welsh border. The first known owner was Payn Fitz John, a soldier of Henry I’s army. The first structure on this remote hill was probably a wooden tower which was replaced before the beginning of the 13th century by a rectangular stone keep surrounded by a curtain enceinte. The owner was then William de Braose, and later his son, who gained control over the castle during the troubled years of King John’s reign.
The main building of the castle dates from about 1263 when Prince Edward strengthened his border fortresses against the threat of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd. The main entrance was transferred from the north to the south which explains the hornwork in moat that originally protected the first entrance into the keep. An outer ward was constructed with thick palisaded banks.
There appears to have been no siege or battle at White Castle, and unlike Grosmont or Skenfrith, its building were purely of a military nature. It was used as a rent collecting centre and as a mustering point for the war against the Scots. It belonged to the Duchy of Lancaster until the accession of Henry IV, when it became Crown property. In 1825 it was sold to the Duke of Beaufort and in 1922 it passed to the Ministry of Public Building and Works, who carried out repairs in the 1920s and more recently built the gatehouse stair and platform whence fine views can be obtained. During World War II an occasional visitor was Rudolf Hess who, after his flight to Scotland, was kept in an Abergavenny mental home.
I also have some information in the Mike Salter book, as well as a further book produced by Cadw which describes White, Grosmont and Skenfrith castles in greater detail.
I will look them out tomorrow and start copying some of the info for you.
Thank You! No rush take your time and I'm going to look though your CD's for images when I can.
White Castle now stands on a low hill about a mile from the village of Llantilio Crossenny. The Welsh form of the name, Castell Gwyn, is said to derive from a local ruler of early Norman times, Gwyn ap Gwaethfoed, but the original name of the castle was Llantilio Castle, and the alternative - first recorded in the 13th century - refers to the white rendering which is still visible on parts of the exterior walls.
The earthworks of White Castle compromise three separate enclosures. In the center is the pear-shaped inner ward, surrounded by a wet moat with stone revetted sides, and containing the walls and towers of the main defences of the castle. To the south is a crescentic hornwork. On the north - the side from which visitors approach the castle - is an outer ward with its own stone curtain wall, towers, and a gatehouse surmounting the basic earthworks. Initially, this third area was part of a much larger outer enclosure which surrounded the entire eastern half of the castle. Some traces of its defensive bank can be seen on the ground, but it is much clearer when seen in an aerial photograph.
Originally, when the defences at White Castle were still of earth and timber, the site was entered from the south. The crescentic hornwork then covered the main approach to the castle. The outer ward, which may have been a defended enclosure where armies in the field could camp without fear of surprise attack, was tucked in to the rear. Usk Castle has the same earthwork plan and may date from the same period. In the 13th century, when most of the present stone defences were built, the whole castle was turned around 180 degrees. A new gatehouse was built facing on to the outer ward, which now became the approach to the castle, with the hornwork relegated to the rear.
Together with Grosmont and Skenfrith, these so-called "Three Castles" formed an important strategic triangle controlling this area of the southern March. All three were royal castles in the later 12th century, and in 1201 were granted to Hubert de Burgh by King John. Unlike the other two, however, White Castle was not rebuilt by de Burgh in the new defensive style of the early 13th century.
Today, the visitor enters the outer ward through the late 13th-century gate. Crossing the ward, a wooden bridge spans the deeply-sunk water filled moat. The twin towers of the inner gatehouse loom ahead, and from the top it is possible to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the castle and surrounding countryside. The high curtain wall can be dated to 1184-86, and the massive footings of a contemporary Norman keep can also be seen. In 1254, along with Grosmont and Skenfrith, the castle passed to the Lord Edward, the king's eldest son, and later Edward I. In 1267 it was transferred to his younger brother, Edmund, earl of Lancaster. At this time, the threatening power of Llywelyn the Last was at its height, and White Castle was dangerously near the frontier of his conquests.
Thus, it was probably under Edward or Edmund that the gatehouse and circular towers were added as a strengthening of the defences. Indeed, overall the castle never really functioned as a nobleman's residence, and always appears to have been more a military work. Although the internal buildings include a chapel, hall and kitchen, these seem more appropriate to a garrison commander than a great lord. Nearby is the interesting medieval moated site of Hen Gwrt.
From “The Three Castles” by Jeremy K. Knight, Cadw
The earthworks of White Castle compromise three separate enclosures. In the center is the pear-shaped inner ward, surrounded by a wet moat with stone revetted sides, and containing the walls and towers of the main defences of the castle. To the south is a crescentic hornwork. On the north - the side from which visitors approach the castle - is an outer ward with its own stone curtain wall, towers, and a gatehouse surmounting the basic earthworks. Initially, this third area was part of a much larger outer enclosure which surrounded the entire eastern half of the castle. Some traces of its defensive bank can be seen on the ground, but it is much clearer when seen in an aerial photograph.
Originally, when the defences at White Castle were still of earth and timber, the site was entered from the south. The crescentic hornwork then covered the main approach to the castle. The outer ward, which may have been a defended enclosure where armies in the field could camp without fear of surprise attack, was tucked in to the rear. Usk Castle has the same earthwork plan and may date from the same period. In the 13th century, when most of the present stone defences were built, the whole castle was turned around 180 degrees. A new gatehouse was built facing on to the outer ward, which now became the approach to the castle, with the hornwork relegated to the rear.
Together with Grosmont and Skenfrith, these so-called "Three Castles" formed an important strategic triangle controlling this area of the southern March. All three were royal castles in the later 12th century, and in 1201 were granted to Hubert de Burgh by King John. Unlike the other two, however, White Castle was not rebuilt by de Burgh in the new defensive style of the early 13th century.
Today, the visitor enters the outer ward through the late 13th-century gate. Crossing the ward, a wooden bridge spans the deeply-sunk water filled moat. The twin towers of the inner gatehouse loom ahead, and from the top it is possible to enjoy a bird's-eye view of the castle and surrounding countryside. The high curtain wall can be dated to 1184-86, and the massive footings of a contemporary Norman keep can also be seen. In 1254, along with Grosmont and Skenfrith, the castle passed to the Lord Edward, the king's eldest son, and later Edward I. In 1267 it was transferred to his younger brother, Edmund, earl of Lancaster. At this time, the threatening power of Llywelyn the Last was at its height, and White Castle was dangerously near the frontier of his conquests.
Thus, it was probably under Edward or Edmund that the gatehouse and circular towers were added as a strengthening of the defences. Indeed, overall the castle never really functioned as a nobleman's residence, and always appears to have been more a military work. Although the internal buildings include a chapel, hall and kitchen, these seem more appropriate to a garrison commander than a great lord. Nearby is the interesting medieval moated site of Hen Gwrt.
From “The Three Castles” by Jeremy K. Knight, Cadw
isn't White Castle a burger joint? 
ok, I'll leave ducking so I don't get hit for that one...
ok, I'll leave ducking so I don't get hit for that one...
Not this one.
Know what just blows my mind when I see it?....the vegetation and growth that happens in castle ruins....mind you, I have only seen it in photos....but it looks both pretty and strange...you know that where that tree is used be the inside of the castle. Ans sometime you can see where the original castle wall used to be but know its a pasture or something.
Obviously, I need coffee. I shouldn't be posting right now...lol.
Obviously, I need coffee. I shouldn't be posting right now...lol.
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