de Lacy Barons of Weobley,  leading Marsher Lords
​Some may say "War Lords"

The de Lacy Marcher Lords. Baron's of Weobley. 
In recognition of their major part in the conquest, King William I. awarded Walter de Lacy, and his firstborn son Roger, Manors throughout what is now, Berkshire, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Shropshire and even as far as Chester.

​With many areas of England either reluctant to accept or in open rebellion against  Norman rule. William realised that to contain or even conquer the Welsh he would have to follow the pattern used by the Saxons to keep the Welsh from Marching on Mercia.

The King created three Earldoms, The Earl of Chester Hugh de Avranches. The Earl of Shropshire Roger de Montgomerie and The Earl of Herefordshire his cousin William FitzOsbern. To act of their own accord and rule the English Welsh Border

They became known as the Marcher Lords. They raised their own army’s. Created their own laws and Courts. Levied their own taxes. They held rights to create forests, markets and boroughs. The Castles they built were in their names, not the Kings. In return, they only paid allegiance to the King and the Church. As subjects, to the English King, they were bound to support him in times of war,  No other Norman Lords throughout England had such power. King Williams gain was the Crown was saved the high cost of protecting England from the Welsh.

Earl William FitzOsbern, had become Overlord to Walter and Roger de Lacy and created them as Marcher Lords in their own right without having to be subservient to him. They had already been given many Manors throughout the West by King William who was pleased to create Walter as the 1st Lord of Weobley. Earl William then spent most of his time as Overlord of the Isle of Wight. Walter de Lacy as the first Baron of Weobley had been granted full Marsher Lord status. 

The de Lacy family were truly Marcher Warlords!
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​This picture encompasses very much the 11th century landscape of the area.

Mountains, Thick Forest      and March land.

The Normans had to come to terms with all three. To protect themselves and their men. 
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The Welsh Marches covered both sides of the ever-changing Welsh Border with England

In order to both protect themselves when advancing or defending themselves against the Welsh forces. The Welsh Marcher Norman lords built more Motte & Bailey Castles then anywhere else in the country. Many built by the de Lacy’s Barons of Weobley.
The Normans had added the principle of building Motte & Bailey Castles as the essential part of their plans for conquest.
 Ideally, there was a castle within one day's march of each other offering defended shelter. Once built they only needed a small detachment to protect them. 
Earth, timber and conscripted labour was always readily available Indeed a Motte & Baily was shipped across to Hastings in 1066. Was this the first 'flat pack'?​

​Site of Weobley Castle
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Walter de Lacy together and his two sons Roger & Hugh, quickly set about building a castle at Weobley on the Welsh border near to Hereford. Time was short so a Ring & Bailey castle as an early headquarter was quickly built for their border defences. Walter was soon in battle with the Welsh warlords. Over the following years they engaged in many skirmishes with the Welsh and built many Motte & Bailey castles within Herefordshire and Staffordshire.
Tap or Paste to visit their Marcher surviving Stone Castles 

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If you would like to add a question or comment, perhaps give your reactions
​to a visit to any of the de Lacy Castles or Churches.
If you have an interest in the de Lacy family castles we would love to start a photo gallery of your visits to any of the castles
If you wish to include photos* please submit both your text and photos by email to delacychronicles@gmail. 
*Include any permissions if the pictures are not yours. Thank you.