Cas Troggy Castle

Description

The tower at 'Cas Torrogy' is recorded as being newly built in 1307. The surviving remains consist of a rectangular platform, c.42m north to south by 27m, set on low ground close by a stream on the north. It is defined by ruinous walls and a moat, c.15m wide on the west and 10m across on the north. On the south front two towers, of indeterminate form, project to extend the frontage to 64m. (Coflein)

Hidden among the bushes and trees are the remains of a castle built by Roger Bigod III, earl of Norfolk, as a hunting lodge. It is mentioned in 1305, as a newly built tower was probably left incomplete at his death in 1306. A rectangular court was surrounded by walls said to be of poor masonry, perhaps a reflection of the earl's financial difficulties. The surviving south wall (right), however, is well built. The fireplace and two window embrasures in it at the upper level, and probably served the main hall. At each southern corner are remains of towers with octagonal interiors up to 6m in diameter. The outer faces are too damaged for the external shapes to be made out. The SW tower has traces of a staircase and the SE tower has a big cess-pit beside the stub of the east curtain and a rectangular projection is set alongside the south curtain. (Salter, 1991)

The monument consists of the remains of a castle, dating to the medieval period. The surviving remains comprise a rectangular platform measuring 42m N/S by 27m E/W set on low ground close to a stream. It is surrounded by a moat, 15m wide on the W side and 10m wide on the N side. Along the S side of the site are the substantial remains of the castle wall, with towers at the SW and SE corners. At the W end the tower stands on a 4m high mound, and the upstanding wall is 3m high with some dressed stone still in place. To the E of the tower the wall stands 6-7m high and still retains some dressed stone, although predominately it is the rubble core of the wall that is visible. There are two large arched windows surviving, although the wall between them is much eroded. The wall decreases in height towards the E end, standing to 2-3m high, and most of the dressed stone has been lost. At the E end of the wall are the roofless remains of a corner tower. It is round in plan, 3.5m high, with all the facing stone missing. The interior of the tower is polygonal in plan and at the N end is an arched entrance 3m high and 1.5m wide. The entrance leads into a passage that is 4m long and has an E-facing arm which ends in a blocked entrance. At the S end of the entrance passage are two rectangular holes in the roof. The castle was built in the early 14th century by Roger Bigod III, Earl of Norfolk, as a hunting lodge. It is mentioned in 1305, as a newly built tower, but was probably incomplete when he died in 1306. (Scheduling Report)

Comments

Called Striguil or Struggle in error by some writers, this name belongs in fact to Chepstow.