Early Norman Castle
Usk castle and town was probably laid out and established in 1120, after some of the other Norman settlements and castles of the region, such as Monmouth Castle and Abergavenny Castle. However, the site had a history of previous military, strategic, and local significance, for it was here that the Romans had established their early Legionary fortress before relocating it south to Caerleon.
Usk is first mentioned in 1138 in the context of it being captured by the Welsh. It passed back into Norman hands, only to be captured by the Welsh again in 1174, as was Abergavenny, when turmoil again developed into open conflict in this area of the Welsh Marches.
Read more about this topic: Usk Castle
Famous quotes containing the words early, norman and/or castle:
“Three early risings make an extra day.”
—Chinese proverb.
“Oh, why can’t we break away from all this, just you and I, and lodge with my fleas in the hills?... I mean flee to my lodge in the hills.”
—Arthur Sheekman, screenwriter, and Norman McLeod. Monkey Business (film)
“The splendor falls on castle walls
And snowy summits old in story;
The long light shakes across the lakes,
And the wild cataract leaps in glory.
Blow, bugle, blow, set the wild echoes flying,
Blow, bugle; answer, echoes, dying, dying, dying.”
—Alfred Tennyson (1809–1892)