Place:Raglan, Monmouthshire, Wales

source: Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names

source: Family History Library Catalog

the text in this section is based on an article in Wikipedia

Raglan (Welsh: Rhaglan) is a village in Monmouthshire, Wales. It is located some 9 miles southwest of Monmouth, midway between Monmouth and Abergavenny on the A40 road very near to the junction with the A449 road. The fame of the village derives from its castle, Raglan Castle, built for William ap Thomas (died 1445), and now maintained by Cadw.

The village stands at the crossing point of two Roman roads, that from Gloucester to Usk, and that from Chepstow to Abergavenny. The origins of the village are unknown but Raglan was first mentioned in the will of Walter de Clare (died probably 1137 or 1138).

The earliest market in Raglan was recorded in 1354. There is a market cross in the centre of town, the base of the cross forming the table on which bargains were struck.

The earliest records of the manor of Raglan Court are found in 26 October – 28 July 1391 during the reign of Richard II. At this time Raglan Castle was probably no more than a hill fort. After 1415 Raglan Castle was greatly expanded.

Records from 1587 refer to Raglan as a "town". For the court, 13 July 1587, the marginal heading reads Burgus de Ragland cum Curia Manerii de Ragland cum membris and the caption becomes 'The Court of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester of his said borough and the Court of the said Earl of his said manor with members'. From 1 June 1587 onwards most courts refer to the Borough of Ragland in the following manner: 'The Court of the said manor with the Court of the borough or the town of Ragland'.

The English Civil War (1642–1651) had disastrous consequences both for Raglan Castle as well as for Raglan village. Raglan Castle was besieged for two months from 3 June to 19 August 1646 by Parliamentarian forces. The Castle finally surrendered to Thomas Morgan, when Sir Thomas Fairfax (1612-1671) arrived with 3,500 men and six deadly mortars. ‘The house almost starved … had like to have eaten one another’ was the report and the Parliamentarians called in the local people to help demolish the Marquess's home.

The link between castle and village was severed. The castle ruins became neglected and were used as a quarry for those needing stone to repair their houses: dressed and moulded stones can be seen in farmhouses and cottages in the area. The castle is now maintained by Cadw, although the Duke of Beaufort remains the hereditary keeper of the castle.

St Cadoc's is a substantial mediaeval church, extensively restored in the 19th century by Thomas Henry Wyatt (1807-1880). It houses some much-defaced tombs of the Lords of Raglan. The base of a fine pilgrim's cross can be seen in the churchyard. The first part of the church was built during the 14th century.

For more information, see the EN Wikipedia article Raglan. There are links to further articles about Raglan Castle and various persons mentioned above.

Research Tips