William de Valence

I am William de Valence, the man who actually built most of the castle you see today. It’s expensive to use this much stone, but when you have as many enemies as I do, you need to impress and intimidate them... and I had plenty of money.

Who were these enemies you ask? Hmmm...just about everyone at Court, I think, except King Henry III.

Why did they hate me? Ach! Jealousy, envy, stupidity, take your pick, they had all those qualities in plenty. Although in fairness I can pick out four reasons.

First, I was the king’s half brother, and he gave me many of the greatest estates in his English kingdom.

Second, I was French, and it annoyed these English barons that a ‘foreigner’ was getting so many royal favours. Ironic when you remember their great grandfathers had come over as Norman invaders themselves!

Third, I supported the king against the barons. There was always a power balance between kings and lords, and I was on my half-brother’s side.

And fourthly – and this is just something I hear people say – I have a reputation for being arrogant and boastful...

Stick with the King, let the others swing, that’s my advice. But if you want to know how that worked for me, you’ll have to step into my tower...