Roch Castle facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roch Castle |
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| Roch, Haverfordwest, Wales | |
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| Height | Up to 30 metres (98 ft) |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Griffiths-Roch Foundation |
| Site history | |
| Built | Second half, 12th century |
| Built by | Adam de Rupe |
| In use | Private |
| Events | English Civil War |
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Listed Building – Grade I
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Roch Castle (Welsh: Castell y Garn) is a strong stone castle built in the 12th century. You can find it near Haverfordwest, in Wales. This historic building stands tall on a rocky hill, looking out over the beautiful Pembrokeshire countryside.
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Building Roch Castle
Roch Castle was built by a Norman knight named Adam de Rupe. He started building it in the second half of the 1100s. The name "Roch" comes from the French word for "rock," which makes sense because the castle is built right on a rocky spot. It might have been built on the site of an older wooden fort.
Why Was Roch Castle Built?
This castle was built at the same time as Pill Priory, another important building nearby. Roch Castle was part of a special defence line called "Landsker." This was an invisible border that separated the English and Welsh parts of Pembrokeshire for many centuries. The castle helped protect the English-speaking area from attacks.
The Walter Family and the Castle
After the deRupe family, who first owned the castle, died out in the 1400s, the Walter family took over in the 1600s. A famous person named Lucy Walter was born in Roch Castle. She later became a close companion of King Charles II and had a son with him, James, the 1st Duke of Monmouth.
Roch Castle During the English Civil War
During the English Civil War (a big conflict in England), the Walter family supported King Charles I. At first, the area around the castle was loyal to the King. But soon, the Parliament's forces, called the Roundheads, became stronger.
The castle was captured and recaptured twice during the war. In 1644, the Walter family had to leave when the Parliament's forces took the castle for a second time. They then burned it down. The castle was left in ruins for a long time.
The Duke of Monmouth's Rebellion
The castle remained empty until Lucy Walter's son, the Duke of Monmouth, returned. He led a rebellion against the new king, James II. However, his rebellion failed. He was captured after the Battle of Sedgemoor and faced a severe penalty in 1685.
Restoring Roch Castle
Roch Castle stayed in ruins until the early 1900s. In 1900, John Philipps, 1st Viscount St Davids, bought the castle. He started to restore it, adding a strong steel frame and new concrete floors. More work was done in 1910 and again around 1918-1920 to bring the castle back to life.
Modern Day Roch Castle
In 2008, Keith Griffiths bought the castle for the Griffiths-Roch Foundation. It was then carefully restored to become a luxury hotel with six bedrooms, called the Roch Castle Hotel. The restoration was finished in 2013.
Since its restoration, the hotel has won many awards and has been featured in famous travel guides and magazines. It is now a popular place for people to visit and stay, enjoying its long history and beautiful views.
