Photos of the Medieval Goodrich Norman Romanesque Castle

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Photos of the Beautiful Medieval Goodrich Norman Romanesque Castle Ruins, England. Photos by photographer Paul E Williams. (TIP – use the icons below the slideshow for thumbnail photos and info)

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Photos of the Medieval Goodrich Norman Romanesque Castle Ruins

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Photos of the medieval Romanesque Norman Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire England.

Goodrich Castle Built by the Normans

Built by the Normans in about 1101, Goodrich Castle controlled an important crossing over the River Wye known as the Walesford crossing. It is located between Monmouth and Ross-on-Wye.

Originally a wooden fortification in the 12th century it was rebuilt out of stone probably by Godric of Mapplestone, from whom the castle takes its name.

Goodrich castle was designed to be an impressive fortification with luxurious living quarters inside. The end design was so successful that it was copied by other Norman castles in England.

Goodrich Castle Norman Keep

At the centre of Goodrich Castle is a Norman keep. This is surrounded the high the outer curtain walls of the castle. Built in the 1280s the walls have towers on three corners, the fourth corner has a gatehouse that is modelled on the one at the Tower of London.

The castle is surrounded by a moat which is dry today. A high causeway crosses the moat over a draw bridge protected by a barbican with a portcullis.

Goodrich Castle Spur Buttresses

The round towers have long stone spur buttresses built into their sides. This was a device to stop the towers collapsing if they were undermined by attackers and is typical of the castles in the Welsh Marches.