Ludlow Castle, England:An important fortress on the Anglo-Welsh border


Ludlow Castle, Shropshire, England

This evening, I am posting information on Ludlow Castle in Shropshire, close to the English-Welsh border. Location is about 45 miles west of Birmingham.

Ludlow Castle is a substantive ruin with a long history, as summarised below.
  • Origins date from the late 11th century as a border stronghold of Walter de Lacy, a Marcher Lord. Walter was followed by his sons Roger and Hugh who were also engaged in the castle’s construction.
  • Enlarged early 14th century by Richard, Duke of York.
  • Played a role in the Wars of the Roses (1455-1485).
  • Used as a Royal Palace by Edward IV (1442-1483).  Also a seat of Government for Wales and the Border Counties. The ‘Princes in the Tower’ (Prince of Wales and his brother) were sent to live at the castle. The two princes disappeared in 1483.
  • During the 16th century was destination of various royals:
    • Prince Arthur and Catherine of Aragon on honeymoon in 1501.
    • Mary Tudor (Queen of England, between 1553 and 1558) spent three winters here from 1525-1528.
  • British Army regiment, the Royal Welsh Fusiliers, were founded at the castle in 1689.
  • Castle was abandoned from late 17th century and fell into decay.
  • Ruins purchased by 2nd Earl of Powis in 1811 in which family ownership remains.
Ludlow Castle is situated on the edge of the town of Ludlow (pop 11,000) wherein can be seen a range of interesting architecture, including from the Tudor period.
Round Chapel, Ludlow Castle

Main entrance to Ludlow Castle

Inside Ludlow Castle
View of Ludlow from atop Ludlow Castle

Ludlow architecture

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