Shrewsbury Castle (Shrewsbury)
Shrewsbury Castle was first built in 1080 by the powerful Roger de Montgomery, one of the most trusted of William the Conqueror's supporters, across the neck of the loop of the River Severn where the town of Shrewsbury was founded.
His successor extended the castle, and early in the 12th century the Town Walls were added.
King Stephen besieged the castle in 1138 and captured it after four weeks. The owner, William FitzAlan, escaped, but the rest of the garrosin were all hanged.
Henry II used Shrewsbury Castle as a base for his campaigns against the Welsh.
Henry IV used it as a base before the Battle of Shrewsbury in 1403, in which the rebel Harry Hotspur was defeated by the King and his son, the future Henry V.
During the Civil War, the castle was taken by Parliamentarian troops after another siege in 1645.
In the 18th century, the castle, by now becoming ruinous, was bought by Sir William Pulteney M. P, who engaged Thomas Telford to carry out repairs. Telford built Laura's Tower, which affords excellent views, in 1790.
The castle is now open to the public, and its grounds are attractive public gardens.