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Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Taroggy; Torrogy; Striguil; Struggle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 has been described as a;
Masonry Castle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Uncertain remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is ST415952

Modern Map from Good for landscape form and features	Modern Map from Good for general location
Air Photo from	1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

National Monuments Record number; 307959

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 01120g

• Web site links
  • http://www.castlewales.com/troggy.html
• Books
  • 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
• 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), 1910, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (Bell and Sons; London) Vol3 p42