Caus Castle

The early outer earthworks of the site are probably an Iron Age hillfort, while the later motte-and-bailey is of Norman construction.

Roger le Corbet (or Fitz Corbet) was granted several manors in Shropshire in 1069 by William the Conqueror as the Barony of Caus for his role in the Norman conquest and invasion of England. They were named after his Normandy estate in the Pays de Caux, in France. The Corbets owed fealty to Roger de Montgomery, the first Earl of Shrewsbury to help control Welsh Marches with absolute control over their demesne. Caus Castle was built by Roger le Corbet in the late 11th century as a high motte with a very small summit on which stood a tower and a strongly defended inner bailey.

The castle was sufficiently important that the Crown took an interest in its maintenance. Henry II of England had it garrisoned in 1165. In 1198 Roger Corbet re-built the tower, keep and curtain wall in stone. During the late 12th century a town or borough was founded in the large outer bailey. A royal grant of 50 marks was made in 1263 towards further building work when D-shape towers were added to the curtain wall. The town contained a church of St Margaret as well as the castle's church of St Nicholas, and the names of two thoroughfares, Castle Street and St Margaret Street are recorded.[2] On the death of Beatrice Corbet in 1347, Caus passed to the Earl of Stafford. At its height, the borough had 58 burgesses resident in 1349, a year coinciding with the arrival of the Black Death in England.

Caus (alternatively spelt Caux or Cause) was garrisoned by the Seneschal Griffith ap Ieuan ap Madoc ap Gwenwys against the rebellion of Owain Glyndŵr in the 15th century, but following calls from Welsh graduates in law and students in the University of Oxford he changed sides and supported Glyndŵr. As a result, his family lands and role at Caus Castle were forfeited in 1404, only to be restored by Henry V of England in 1419 after his sons Ieuan ap Griffith and Sir Gruffudd Vychan captured John Oldcastle for Lord Charlton of Powys.

On 10 August 1443, at Caus Castle Sir Gruffudd Vychan pierced with a lance the heart of his master, Sir Christopher Talbot (1419–1443), son of John Talbot, 1st Earl of Shrewsbury, and the champion tilter of England. He was outlawed, a reward of 500 marks (£166 6s 8d) offered for his capture, and his lands were passed to John Sutton, 1st Baron Dudley, as the death of the young knight was not regarded as an accident. The Earl of Stafford rarely used the castle in the 15th and 16th centuries so that it was recorded in great decay in 1521,[3] had only two resident tenants in 1541.[2] The castle was given as part of a marriage settlement to John Thynne, but Edward Stafford, 3rd Baron Stafford disputed the ownership. After he and Joan took Caus Castle from Stafford, by force, in 1591, Joan lived at Caus whist John was based at Longleat. The letters between then illustrate their partnership. Joan appears to have managed many aspects of their estate.[4]

The castle was finally deserted after it was destroyed, during the English Civil War after falling as a minor Royalist garrison in June 1645.[1]

• Barker, P.A. (1981). 'Caus Castle and Hawcocks Mount' Archaeological Journal Vol 138 p34
• Chitty, L. F. (1954). Caus Castle The Hundred-and-First Annual Meeting: Programme, CAA p19-21
• Williams G. (1998). 'Sir Gruffydd Fychan (?-1447)' Montgomeryshire Collections Vol 86, p17-28

• 3D survey of Caus Castle
• www.geograph.co.uk : photos of Caus Castle and surrounding area
• www.rea-valley.com : Small Album of Caus Castle