<!-- Deleted image removed: thumb|Inside the castle walls -->

<!-- Image with unknown copyright status removed: thumb|View from one of the towers -->

Caldicot Castle () is an extensive stone medieval castle in the town of Caldicot, Monmouthshire, in southeast Wales, built near the site of Harold Godwinson's former Saxon castle by the Norman earls of Hereford from about 1100. The castle became a Grade I listed building on 10 June 1953.

It was in the possession of Thomas of Woodstock, a son of King Edward III of England, until his death in 1391, when it reverted to the Crown.

Caldicot Estate

Caldicot is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086, not for its castle, but as an agricultural holding of Durand of Gloucester, Sheriff of Gloucestershire. Walter FitzRoger, Durand's nephew, inherited his lands as well as his father's office of Constable of England which remained with the lords of Caldicot. Walter's son Milo was granted the Earldom of Hereford to add to his titles. In the time of Henry I of England the castle was probably a simple motte-and-bailey.

Bohun family

Milo's five sons died childless so his eldest daughter, Margaret, took to her marriage with Humphrey II de Bohun the Earldom of Hereford, the Constableship of England, and Caldicot. Their son Humphrey III de Bohun was the probable builder, in about 1170, of the stone keep and curtain walls of the present-day castle.

From 1885 to 1964, the Cobb family owned the castle. Joseph Cobb's family remained at the castle after his death and it was his son Geoffry Wheatly Cobb, and in particular his daughter-in-law Anna, who continued the work of restoration. In the early twentieth century, many rooms were decorated with memorabilia from Nelson's first flagship, HMS Foudroyant which was owned by Geoffry Wheatly Cobb at the end of its life.<!--need to mention post-war use as housing-->

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File:Caldicot Castle.jpeg|Caldicot Castle in 1800

File:Caldicot castle, Caldicot level, Monmouthshire.jpeg|ca. 1830 engraving

File:Caldicot. Castle.jpeg|1838

File:The South West View Of Caldicot Castle, In The County Of Monmouth. (3375180).jpg|Engraving showing the south-west side of the castle in 1732

File:Caldicot Castle, Wales.jpg|The keep

File:Caldicot Castle in Wales.jpg|The gatehouse from within the castle, showing the 19th century rebuilding

File:Caldicot castle breached.jpg|Re-enactment of a Civil War skirmish within the castle

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References

  • Caldicot Castle
  • Photographs of Caldicot Castle