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Goodrich Castle was built over a number of centuries. During the English Civil War, it was destroyed in one night by Roaring Meg.
Five miles south of the town of Ross-on-Wye stands one of England’s most serene castle ruins. Placed on a rocky outcrop, near to the river, it lords over the open fields, rolling hills, and groves that surround it. As an English Heritage site, it is open to the public most of the year and easily provides a couple of hours of pleasant wandering and exploring. The modest entrance fee goes to help preserve the castle for future generations and includes an audio tour that, if anything, is a bit over-informative. It is also worth noting that English Heritage have constructed a nice little tourist centre with gift shop, cafe, and rest area, but have wisely kept this out of sight and several hundred yards away from the actual castle. The origins of Goodrich CastleThe first castle to be built on the site of the current castle was erected in 1095 by Godric Marplestone. Although nothing remains of this wooden structure, Godric’s Castle survives in the name of the present structure. Most of the present structure which can be seen at the site dates from the 12th and 13th centuries, when a series of different rulers created a stone keep, an wall containing four heavy round towers, and finally a gate house. In 1245, the Castle passed into the hands of William de Valence, half-brother of King Henry III. In the following years, the castle became an important strategic point in the wars against the Welsh. Goodrich Castle in the English Civil WarWith the outbreak of the English Civil War in 1642, the castle became a site of local conflict. The owner of the castle at the time, the Earl of Stamford was a supporter of the parliamentary cause. However, most of the country supported the King, and the Earl soon decided it was better to withdraw. From then until 1646, the castle was held for the King by Sir Henry Lingen. In the early part of that year, the Parliamentary leader, Colonel John Birch besieged the castle. In order to speed his siege along, Birch ordered the casting of a giant mortar, which, when completed was nicknamed Roaring Meg. In one night Roaring Meg and her 200lbs exploding shots, reduced to the once proud castle to a ruin. The forces of the King surrendered. Today, Roaring Meg appropriately sits in the courtyard of the castle. An example of her shot can be found in the tourist information centre.
The copyright of the article Goodrich Castle in UK/Irish History is owned by Joseph Allen McCullough. Permission to republish Goodrich Castle in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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