Ludlow Castle

Ludlow Castle is a partly ruined uninhabited medieval building in the town of the same name in the English county of Shropshire. It stands on a high point overlooking the River Teme and in the Middle Ages it was an important strategic stronghold for control of the Welsh Borders, and at times the seat of English government in Wales. The castle was probably founded by Walter de Lacy in the late 11th century. Possession of Ludlow Castle descended through the Lacy family until 1115 by which point had Hugh de Lacy died without any children and his property taken over by the king. Pain fitzJohn married Hugh de Lacy's niece, Sybil, and through her acquired a good deal of the family's lands.

During the Anarchy Gilbert de Lacy, Sybil's cousin, laid claim to the family's estates and during the course of the civil war control of the castle change hands several times. Gilbert regained the property and control of Ludlow Castle once again descended through the Lacy family. In the late 12th and early 13th centuries Ludlow Castle was taken into the care of the crown on multiple occasions to ensure the family's loyalty. The family owned the castle until the 14th century, when it came into the possession of the Mortimers through marriage. Early in the 14th century, the castle was enlarged into a magnificent palace for Roger Mortimer, 1st Earl of March, then the most powerful man in England.

The earls of Powis began renting Ludlow Castle from the Crown in 1772, and bought the structure in 1811. The castle and it has descended through the family since and is owned by The Trustees of the Powis Castle Estate on behalf of the family of the earls. Now open to the public, the castle is a Grade I listed building and a Scheduled Ancient Monument.