A Border Fortress

Clun castle was built in the late 11th century to proclaim Norman dominance over part of the Welsh Marches. It later became home to the Fitzalans, an important ruling family.

The castle depicted in 1300. The buildings on the motte included the great hall and kitchens, lodging ranges for the lord and his family, probably a small private chapel, and a recently built great tower. Over the bridge in the walled outer bailey was the castle farm, accommodation for the lord's soldiers and servants, a bakehouse, brewhouse, stables and stores. (Drawing by Dominic Andrews) © English Heritage After the Norman Conquest in 1066, the border between Wales and England remained an unsettled area. William the Conqueror granted lands to his followers to defend the border. These men became powerful marcher lords, ruling their lands independently of royal control.

One of them, Picot de Say, is thought to have built Clun castle, high on a natural spur guarding the Clun valley. In 1155, the castle passed by marriage of Isabella de Say to William Fitzalan, and was owned by the powerful Fitzalan family for the next 400 years.

Clun was at the centre of a vast lordship known as the honour of Clun, over which the Fitzalans exercised unlimited authority, administering a mixture of Welsh and English law.