Population Milestone

Lore & Background

The village stands at the crossing point of two Roman roads, that from Gloucester to Usk, and that from Chepstow to Abergavenny. Raglan was first mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086). The earliest market in Raglan was recorded in 1354. The market cross stands at the edge of the crossroads between the church and the Beaufort Arms Inn. It now consists only of the base, with a lamp post mounted on top. In the large space around this stone the markets were held, the base of the cross forming the table on which bargains were struck. The agricultural roots of Raglan are illustrated by a 1397 account of discussions between the reeve Ieuan Hire and Ieuan ap Grono and haywards (hedge wardens) Iorwerth ap Gwillym and Hoe ap Gwillym Goch, held in the records depository at Badminton House. The earliest records of the manor of Raglan Court are found in a document dated 26 October 1391 to 28 July 1392 during the reign of Richard II. At this time Raglan Castle was probably no more than a hill fort. After 1430 Raglan Castle was greatly expanded and by 1587 contemporary descriptions refer to Raglan as a town. For the court, 13 July 1587, the marginal heading reads Burgus de Ragland cum Curia Manerii de Ragland cum membris and the caption becomes 'The Court of William Somerset, 3rd Earl of Worcester of his said borough and the Court of the said Earl of his said manor with members'. From 1 June 1587 onwards most courts refer to the Borough of Ragland in the following manner: 'The Court of the said manor with the Court of the borough or the town of Ragland'. By 1632, a courthouse was established in Raglan; the Badminton record stating, 'the jury to meet at the Court House at Ragland the 25th March next by ten of the clock under peyn of xls. apeece to have a view and inquire of lands in Landenny (Llandenny) and Ragland late of Philip David Morris', (Dec. 1632). Subsequent leet courts refer to the liberty of Raglan and in 1682 the hundred of Ragland is mentioned. Court Roll excerpts reflect the issues of the day: In 1680, 'The bridge called Pontleecke upon the highway leading from Raglan towards Chepstow to be out of repair. Moses Morgan fined for not spending 14s of the parish money towards repairing the stocks and whipping post in the parish of Raglan'. In 1695 the repair of bridges are still under discussion, 'The bridge called Pont y bonehouse in the town of Raglan, 1695.

Reader's Guide

Raglan elects a community council of eleven community councillors. Raglan is also a county electoral ward for elections to Monmouthshire County Council, represented by one county councillor.

Did You Know?

• Raglan was first mentioned in the Domesday Book (1086), not in the will of Walter de Clare.
• The local railway station closed in 1955 and its buildings were removed to St Fagans.