Raglan Castle was built in three phases over a 150-year period, starting in the late Medieval period by Sir William ap Thomas, the ‘blue knight of Gwent’, who fought alongside King Henry V at Agincourt. He instigated construction of the Great Tower, which became known as the Yellow Tower of Gwent. His son later added an impressive gatehouse, famed for its machionated hexagonal towers, stately apartments and Closet Tower.

After an extended period of relative calm in the turbulent England Wales border region Raglan evolved into a fortified Tudor manor-house. That peace was shattered by the English Civil War, when the castle was badly-damaged after being subjected to a lengthy siege and armoured bombardment.