Weobley Castle

• Weobley, Herefordshire.
• OSGB – SO 40350 51373.
• Scheduled Monument.

Quadrangular Medieval motte and bailey castle with an oval shaped bailey. Defended by a bank and ditch

Held by William de Braose, Lord of Brecon, Huntingdon and Gower.

Owned by the de Lacy family, the Verdon family, the Crophill family, the Devereux family.

Mound damaged.

11 C                            Possibly built by Roger or Hugh de Lacy

1138                            c: Possibly rebuilt.

1139                            Garrisoned for the Empress Matilda against King Stephen

1140                            Taken by King Stephen.

12-14 C                       Manor house.

1210-1213                   Held by the Crown.

1213                            July: The Crown returned it to the de Lacy family.

13 C                            The main fortifications began with the Great Tower. The bailey no longer in use. Rebuilt in stone.

1327                            Slightly ruined.

1328                            In ruins.

1331                            Stated as being under valued.

1332                            Value put at £41 16d, then raised to £81 10s 8½d.

1337                            Margery de Verdon lived at the castle.

1357                            John Ailmond broke out of his prison in the castle.

14-15 C                       Burgage plots established in the bailey.

1483                            Henry, Duke of Buckingham, rebelled against Richard III, and his wife was captured at the castle.

15 C                            Recorded.

1540-1546                   Itinerary of John Leland: Derelict.

16-17 C                       Ridge and furrow covered the bailey. Site abandoned.

19 C                            Pastureland.

2002                            Evaluated.

2003                            Weobley Castle Project. Geophysical Study.

2004                            Excavated.