Under Attack
The powerful Fitzalan family became the lords of Clun Castle in the mid 12th century, when William Fitzalan of Oswestry married Isabella de Say. Around this time a new town began to emerge next to the castle in a typical grid pattern, this layout is still visible today in Clun town.
In 1196, Prince Rhys of South Wales attacked the castle and burnt it down, although it was quickly rebuilt. In 1199 the castle passed to William and Isabella’s son, also named William Fitzalan. William died in 1210 and the castle passed to his son, but King John demanded a colossal 10,000 Marks for William to inherit the castle. William was unable to pay and died soon afterwards. William’s brother, John Fitzalan joined the First Barons’ War (1215–1217) and reclaimed the castle. Naturally, King John did not take this lightly and sent troops to besiege Clun Castle. King John died before the end of the war and John Fitzalan made peace with King Henry III in 1217, though he still had to pay the 10,000 Marks.
In 1233 the castle was besieged again, this time by Prince Llywelyn of Wales (Llywelyn the Great) who had battled many Marcher lords. Clun Castle successfully resisted the attack but the local town was destroyed.
Quieter Times
After Edward I’s invasion of Wales in 1280 the threat of attack from the Welsh dramatically reduced. In approximately 1292, Richard Fitzalan built the unusual great keep that stands on the sloping side of the motte instead of on top of it. The keep was four stories high and reached 80 feet, but was likely built more for comfort than defence which is evidenced in the lack of arrow slits.
Fading
The Fitzalen family had acquired Arundel Castle through marriage in 1243 and moved their main residence there, Clun Castle was now used for administrative purposes and as a hunting lodge.
Clun Castle was hastily refortified in the early 15th century during the Welsh Revolt (1400-1415) led by Owain Glyndwr. Following this attack it seems the castle was disused as there’s very little mention of it and by the mid 16th century it was ruinous. Although the castle was completely abandoned and not involved in the English Civil War (1642–1651), it still did not escape being slighted (deliberately destroyed) by Parliament.