Castles in Shropshire

The large amount of castles, especially of the motte and bailey type, owes much to the geographical position of Shropshire. As an English border county with Wales, it forms part of what is known as the Welsh Marches. Wales was independent of Norman rule and, therefore, posed a great threat to William the Conqueror and his newly required territory. By establishing a line of castles along the Shropshire border, William could defend himself from Welsh attack and attempt to extend his rule into Wales. He did this by rewarding his French knights with lands and titles in the area, who in turn built individual castles and defended Shropshire for him.

If you look closely at this map of Shropshire produced in 1577, it is clear to see the concentration of castles along the border with Wales. Named castles include Rowton, Shrawardine, Wattlesborough, Knockin and Caus.

The motte and bailey castle at Shrewsbury, for example, was given by the king, to Roger de Montgomery in 1074. He was also made Earl of Shrewsbury, and given special powers to rule Shropshire and provide a secure buffer zone between the newly conquered English and the unconquered Welsh. The castle was strategically placed to defend the north of the county and the vulnerable neck of land on the River Severn.

Shropshire also had a number of other barons who held estates in Shropshire. These included the Corbets, Mortimers, de Lacys and de Says. A number of these barons were asked to provide a castle in order to provide a chain of defence along the Welsh Marches.

Caus Castle, for example, was erected by William Corbet in the 1070s and was so important for the defence of the Welsh Marches that the Crown provided money for the maintenance of its defensive structures.

Alberbury Castle was built by Fulke Fitz Warine as added protection for Shrewsbury Castle against the threat of the Welsh. In addition, Shropshire was also given a Norman sheriff called Warin who held a number of manors around Oswestry.