Wigmore and the Welsh Marches

Wigmore was one of many castles founded along the Welsh Marches after the Norman Conquest, and it retained its military significance until the English Civil War.

The Mortimers were one of the most important families in the March.  By the time of Roger Mortimer (1287–1330), they owned extensive English and Welsh lands, centred on Wigmore Castle. © English Heritage A large tower dominated the castle, which was situated close to the border area between England and Wales which was fought over for many centuries.  Lords of the Welsh March, like the Mortimers had many special privileges, including the right to make war, to hold courts, and to receive certain revenues otherwise reserved for the king of England.  

Wigmore served as the Mortimers' base for numerous military incursions into Wales, and was besieged in 1155 and perhaps also in 1264.  It retained its strategic importance throughout the later medieval and Tudor periods, and during the Civil War it was deliberately destroyed by its then owners, the Harleys, to prevent its use as a base by the Royalists.