Powis Castle and the Enduring Legacy of the Earls of Powis

Written by Simon Willliams

Powis Castle, near Welshpool in Powys, is Wales's only continuously occupied medieval castle. Founded by Welsh princes in the 13th century and held by the Herbert earls for more than 400 years, its terraced gardens and Baroque interiors remain among the finest in Britain.

Key Facts

• Built: Medieval origins c.1200s; major expansion under the Cherleton family (late 1300s) and Herbert family from 1587
• Location: Near Welshpool, Powys, Wales
• Ownership: Welsh princes, then Cherleton family, then Herbert family (1587 to 1950s), now National Trust
• Famous connection: Robert Clive (Clive of India): his collection is on display in the castle museum
• Architecture: Medieval towers, Baroque state rooms (1660s to 1670s), Victorian Gothic additions
• Open to visitors: Yes, as a National Trust property

Powis Castle is a magnificent medieval castle located near Welshpool in the heart of Powys, Wales.

With its soaring towers and opulent Baroque interior, it is considered one of the most iconic and well-known castles in all of Wales. For over 400 years, Powis Castle served as the cherished ancestral home of the Earls of Powis, a branch of the prominent Herbert aristocratic family.

Behind this castle lies a long and intricate history that is closely tied to the rise of the Herbert dynasty and the evolution of the sprawling Powis Estates surrounding it.

The lands around Powis Castle have a heritage stretching back over 900 years. The storied history of its ownership and architectural transformations provide a window into the changing fates of Welsh nobility over the centuries. From its medieval origins to its Victorian-era heyday, Powis Castle has stood as a symbol of aristocratic tradition and prestige as well as an expression of evolving castle architecture and design trends across different eras. Its present grandeur reflects the lasting influence of the Herbert Earls who made it their family seat as they rose to power and prominence.

The Early History of Powis Estates

The origins of Powis Castle and its surrounding estate date back to 1085 when the area was granted by William the Conqueror to his followers after the Norman invasion of Wales. The castle and lands changed hands several times over the next few centuries between various Marcher Lords who ruled the Welsh Marches.

In the late 1300s, Powis Castle and estate came under the control of the Cherleton family, an aristocratic Welsh family descended from nobility. It was under the Cherletons that the first significant fortifications were likely constructed on this strategic high ground site near the Welsh border. They built up Powis as a formidable stronghold with imposing towers, curtain walls, and luxurious living quarters befitting the family's status.

The Cherletons continued to expand the castle into a palatial complex. Architectural accounts show they added a magnificent new great hall and tower to the castle in the early 1400s. These early fortified medieval structures formed the core of what would later become the Powis Castle we know today. The estate also prospered under the Cherletons prior to the family line dying out in 1421. Their lasting medieval mark on the site was inherited by their successors at Powis.

The Herbert Family's Ascent

A major shift occurred at Powis Castle and the surrounding estates when it was acquired by the prominent Herbert family in 1587. Sir Edward Herbert, an influential Elizabethan politician and soldier, purchased Powis Castle and the extensive estates from Lord Edward Somerset. This marked the beginning of over four centuries of continuous Herbert family ownership of Powis.

Sir Edward Herbert's son, William Herbert, served as High Sheriff of Merionethshire and was made the 1st Baron Powis in 1629 under King Charles I. This marked the family's rise to prominence as they were granted a noble title. William's grandson, another William Herbert, was created 1st Marquess of Powis in 1674 by King Charles II in recognition of his loyalty. The title Earl of Powis was later added to the family in 1748.

An intriguing connection to the Herberts emerged through Clive of India, founder of Britain's colonial empire in India. Clive was related to the Herberts through his mother. The enormous wealth Clive amassed during his conquests strengthened the family's aristocratic standing. Over 400 years after Sir Edward Herbert first acquired Powis, his descendants maintained their ancestral seat there as one of the most powerful aristocratic families in Britain.

Powis Castle's Evolution Under the Earls of Powis

Over the centuries under Herbert family ownership, Powis Castle underwent dramatic architectural transformations that reflected the tastes and ambitions of each successive Earl.

In the mid-1600s, the third Lord Powis carried out renovations to transform the castle interiors into an extravagant Baroque aristocratic palace. Intricate carvings, elegant furniture, and lavish fabrics were installed, creating a level of opulence befitting the family's stature.

Under William Herbert, the first Earl of Powis, the exterior and layout of the castle were redesigned starting in 1670. The Italianate style was favoured, giving the castle grand, ornate facades and Baroque details including balustrades and statues.

Later, in the Victorian era, the fourth Earl of Powis oversaw renovations that gave Powis Castle a more Gothic, medieval character. Mock battlements, towers, and turrets were added for a more imposing, fortified aesthetic.

Over four centuries of evolutions under successive Earls saw Powis Castle transformed from a medieval stronghold to a grand Baroque palace and then a Victorian castle. The tastes and ambitions of each Earl left an indelible, yet varied architectural mark on Powis.

The Modern Era at Powis

In the 20th century, Powis Castle entered a new phase as it passed from private aristocratic ownership into the public trust. This allowed its history and architecture to be widely appreciated as a cultural heritage site.

Lady Violet Herbert, wife of the fourth Earl Edward Powis, left a significant mark by redesigning the castle gardens in the early 1900s. She created an intricate parterre and terraced gardens with yew hedges, adding her own passion for horticulture.

The castle was inherited by her son Robert Clive, fifth Earl of Powis, in 1952. However, since he had no children of his own, he made the decision to bequeath the castle and gardens to the National Trust in the 1950s. This ensured its preservation for future generations.

Today, as part of the National Trust, Powis Castle and Gardens are a major historic tourism destination. Over 100,000 visitors a year marvel at the castle's blend of medieval, Baroque, and Victorian architecture. The estate's history is vividly retold and celebrated for all who visit. From aristocratic private home to public treasure, Powis now enters its newest chapter.

Centuries of Heritage

Throughout its long history, the heritage of Powis Castle and the surrounding estates has proved inseparable. From its 13th-century medieval roots to its Victorian architectural work in the 1800s, Powis Castle bore witness to centuries of change. Its evolving architecture under successive Earls of Powis provides a window into the tastes and ambitions of Welsh aristocracy across different eras.

The castle's present grandeur reflects the lasting influence of the Herbert family, whose rise to power is etched into the very stones of Powis. Their ancestral family seat for over 400 years, it remained their cherished home until being entrusted to the nation in the 20th century. Powis Castle stands as an architectural jewel and historic time capsule, drawing visitors with its blend of medieval, Baroque, and Victorian styles. Its past remains very much alive, inviting discovery within its dramatic turrets and opulent rooms.

Deepen Your Understanding

→ Chirk Castle: 700 Years of the Marcher Border: The only Edwardian conquest castle in Wales still occupied today.

→ Montgomery Castle: Norman Power on the Welsh Border: How a border stronghold commanded the Welsh Marches for five centuries.

→ Harlech Castle: History, Sieges and the Men of Harlech: The UNESCO fortress that inspired the famous song and defined Welsh resistance.

→ Beaumaris Castle: Edward I's Unfinished Masterpiece: The high point of concentric castle design, begun in 1295 and never finished.

→ A Guide to the History of Welsh Castles: How Wales became the castle capital of the world, from earthworks to Edward I's Iron Ring.

This article is part of the Castles in Wales series. Read all articles at historiesandcastles.com/blogs/castles-in-wales.

People Also Ask

Who built Powis Castle?

Powis Castle was built in stages by several powerful families. The first significant fortifications were raised by the Cherleton family in the late 14th century on a strategic hilltop site near Welshpool. The castle was then acquired in 1587 by Sir Edward Herbert, whose family transformed it over four centuries into the Baroque and Victorian palace visitors see today. The Herbert family held Powis until the 1950s, when it was given to the National Trust.

What is Clive of India's connection to Powis Castle?

Robert Clive, known as Clive of India, was related to the Herbert earls through his mother. His son Edward Clive married Lady Henrietta Herbert, daughter of the first Earl of Powis, and inherited the castle. The family's Indian connections brought an extraordinary collection of South Asian art, armour, and manuscripts to Powis, now displayed in the Clive Museum housed within the castle. It remains one of the finest collections of its kind outside a national museum.

Why are the Powis Castle gardens so famous?

The terraced gardens at Powis Castle are considered among the finest in Britain and are unusually old for their type. Laid out in the late 17th century in an Italianate style with clipped yew hedges, formal terraces, and lead statuary, they were redesigned in the early 20th century by Lady Violet Herbert. Unlike most gardens of this period that were swept away by later fashions, Powis's terraces survived largely intact, making them an exceptional survival of Baroque garden design.

Is Powis Castle a National Trust property?

Yes. Robert Clive, the fifth Earl of Powis, inherited the castle in 1952 but had no children. In the 1950s he transferred both the castle and its gardens to the National Trust, ensuring their preservation for future generations. Powis Castle is now one of the Trust's most visited properties in Wales, receiving over 100,000 visitors a year who come to see its medieval towers, Baroque state rooms, Victorian Gothic additions, and the world-famous terraced gardens.

When was Powis Castle built?

The earliest fortifications at Powis date from the late 13th century, when Welsh princes controlled the site. The Cherleton family built significant new structures in the late 1300s and early 1400s. The most transformative phase came after 1587, when the Herbert family acquired the estate and progressively rebuilt the castle in Renaissance, then Baroque, then Victorian styles. The result is a building that spans seven centuries of architectural ambition, with each era leaving a distinct layer.

Can you visit Powis Castle?

Yes. Powis Castle and Garden are open to visitors as a National Trust property. The castle itself contains state rooms with original furnishings, the Clive Museum with its South Asian collection, and a series of historic interiors spanning five centuries. The terraced gardens, with their yew hedges, baroque statuary, and herbaceous borders, are open separately. Welshpool town is within easy walking distance. Visitor numbers are highest in summer; arriving early on weekends is advisable as the car park fills quickly.

Primary Sources and Further Reading

• Richardson, J. M.: The History of Powis Castle and Its Owners (1849) — the foundational account of the castle's ownership history.
• Cadw: Listed Building description for Powis Castle (cadw.gov.wales) — official architectural assessment and heritage classification.
• National Trust: Powis Castle and Garden property guide — current visitor and historical information.
• Cathcart King, D. J.: Castellarium Anglicanum (1983) — reference work on medieval castle construction in Wales and England.
• Williams, G.: Recovery, Reorientation and Reformation: Wales c.1415 to 1642 (1987) — context for the Herbert family's rise through the Tudor and Stuart periods.

• Visit Wales: https://www.visitwales.com
• Cadw: https://cadw.gov.wales
• National Trust: https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/wales/castles-forts

Regular podcasts by Histories and Castles to help you get a deep dive understanding of histories events and figures.