Cas Troggy Castle

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Taroggy; Torrogy; Striguil; Struggle

In the community of Shirenewton. In the historic county of Monmouthshire (Modern authority of Monmouthshire, preserved county of Gwent).

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. Called Striguil or Struggle in error by some writers, this name belongs in fact to Chepstow. A rectangular platform, c.42m n-S by 27m, set on low ground close by a stream on the N, is defined by ruinous walls ans a moat. c.15m wide on the W and 10m across on the N. On the S front two towers, of indeterminate form, project to extend the frontage to 64m.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is ST415952

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's National Monument Record (Coflein) number is 307959
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 01120g 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Web site links
  • http://www.castlewales.com/troggy.html
• Books
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p242 [listed]
    Phillips, Neil, 2005, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (University of Wales) [downloadable via http://ads.ahds.ac.uk/catalogue/resources.html?phillips_phd_2005] p150-1
    Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p125
    Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing) p56
    Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p14
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p282
    Bradney, J.A., 1906, History of Monmouthshire Vol4 p160
    Morgan and Wakeman, 1863, Notes on Wentwood (Monmouth and Caerleon Antiquarian Association) p23-34
    Coxe, W., 1801, Historical Tour in Monmouthshire (London) Vol1 p36-7
• Journal Articles
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1967, 'Masonry castles in Wales and the Marches: a list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol116 p71-132
    Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol112 p77-124
• Primary (Medieval documents or transcriptions of such documents - This section is far from complete and the secondary sources should be consulted for full references.)
  • Rickard, John, 2002, The Castle Community. The Personnel of English and Welsh Castles, 1272-1422 (Boydell Press) [lists sources for 1272-1422] p311
• Antiquarian (Histories and accounts from late medieval and early modern writers)
  • William Camden, 1607, Britannia [http://www.philological.bham.ac.uk/cambrit/hertseng.html#mons5]
    Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1906, Leland's Itinerary in Wales (Bell and Sons; London) p42 http://www.archive.org/details/itineraryinwales00lelauoft