Striguil facts for kids
Striguil (also spelled Strigoil) was the name used from the 11th to the late 14th century for the port and Norman castle at Chepstow. This important place is located on the Welsh side of the River Wye, which marks the border with England. The name Striguil also referred to the special area of land, called a Marcher lordship, that controlled this region. This was before the area became part of Monmouthshire in the 1500s.
What Does the Name Striguil Mean?
The name Striguil was spelled in different ways, like Estrighoiel and Strigoiel, in the old Domesday Book from 1086. It most likely comes from the Welsh word ystreigyl, which means 'a bend in the river'. This makes sense because Chepstow is on a bend of the River Wye.
Another idea is that it comes from two Welsh words: ystre (meaning boundary or dyke) and gwyl (meaning watch or guard). So, *ystregwyl* could mean "well-guarded border". This might refer to how close the area is to the southern end of Offa's Dyke, a very old border wall.
During the medieval times, a town grew up around the port, the castle, and the church. This town became known as Chepstow. This name comes from old English or Saxon words ceap or chepe stowe, which mean "market place". The castle and the lordship kept the name Striguil until about the 14th century. After that, they started using the English name of the town, Chepstow.
The Lords of Striguil
The Striguil Marcher lordship was a special area ruled by a powerful lord. It was started by William fitz Osbern, who began building the famous Chepstow Castle. When William fitz Osbern died in 1071, his son, Roger de Breteuil, took over the lordship. However, Roger planned against King William I and was put in prison. His lands were taken away by the King.
The lordship then belonged to the English crown until about 1115. At that time, it was given to Walter fitz Richard de Clare. The De Clare family, including Richard de Clare (also known as "Strongbow"), controlled Striguil for many years.
Later, in 1189, the lordship passed to William Marshal. This happened when he married Richard de Clare's daughter, Isabel. William Marshal was a very famous knight. After him, his sons took control. But the last of his sons, Anselm, died in 1245 without any children.
Because there was no direct heir, the Lordship of Striguil was split into several parts. Chepstow and the area called Netherwent went to William Marshal's grandson, Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk. Other parts, like the castles at Trellech and Usk, became new lordships under other family members.
The Striguil lordship even included some areas east of the River Wye. These places, like Tidenham, Woolaston, Beachley, and Lancaut, became part of Gloucestershire in 1535.
Cas Troggy Castle
Some old maps, like those made by Robert Morden, sometimes wrongly used the name Striguil, or similar names like Strogli, to refer to a smaller castle called Cas Troggy. This castle is in the area of Newchurch, Monmouthshire.
Roger Bigod, the Earl of Norfolk, built Cas Troggy around 1303. However, it was left empty and unused just a few years later. You can find Cas Troggy on the northern slopes of Wentwood, about 7.5 miles (12 km) west of Chepstow. It's near Pen y cae-mawr, right by the old road that connected Chepstow and Usk.
