The castle is sited on a commanding position on the modern day EnglandWales border in what was the Welsh MarchesinNorman and medieval times. It overlooks the valley, protected by steep ravines to the north and west, and moated by the brook.
The castle had been in the hands of the de Braose family but was seized in 1228 by Henry III following the death of Reginald de Braose. However the castle must have been returned to the de Braose family because on the death of William de Braose it passed by marriage to the de Bohun family and saw some fighting during the Barons' War of the 1260s. It remained in this family until the death of its last male heir in 1372. The eldest daughter of the family Mary de Bohun married Henry, Earl of Derby who was elevated to the rank of Duke of HerefordbyRichard II, his cousin. It remained his property until his own accession to the throne as Henry IV in 1399.
She appointed John Sment as Constable of the castle, better placed than her to expertly man its defences. Glyndwr's forces came upon the castle flush after their total victory at the Battle of Bryn Glas, they simply drove the cattle away, took flour from the local mill and then burned the mill to the ground.
It appears that the castle then went into decline. Peace was restored to the Welsh Marches during the reign of King Henry V with its focus on conflict abroad with France.
