Page 12 - ESL Ultimate Guide to The Wye Valley

The Marches
marcher lords battle of the roses the marches way
In this book we introduce you to the thriving Marches towns of Ludlow in Shropshire, Hay-on-Wye, Presteigne and Knighton in Powys. Their beauty, charm and sometimes sheer simplicity will let you respect their origins while supporting their ongoing strides to remain proudly unique.
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In very simple terms, because by ‘eck it’s complicated, the modern-day Marches or Welsh Marches region is the undefined stretch from south Shropshire along the west Herefordshire border, right down into Monmouthshire and nosing into south Gloucestershire; although, more commonly the lower half is known as the Wye Valley.
It is this Welsh/English divide that was the turf war of the Marcher Lords. The name Marches (meaning mark or line) came about when William I, having conquered England in 1066, sent his troublesome blood-thirsty earls west to take whatever land they could seize.
It is one of the most unspoilt areas of England, with its rugged countryside and lush landscapes. Abundant with a wonderful mix of Celtic, Norman French, and Anglo-Saxon heritage, it’s easily explored on foot or by cycle.
The Marches Way a long distance path of 218 miles takes in the Long Mynd and Wenlock Edge on its way to Ludlow and Leominster.
Mortimer Country
Deep on the North Herefordshire/ Shropshire border lies the ancient region of Mortimer Country, dating back over 1000 years. This land of historical political intrigue and the site of the famous Battle of Mortimers Cross during the War of the Roses is where the Mortimer Marcher Lords, The Harleys of Brampton Bryan and the Croft family of Croft
Castle battled for power. Once a glacial lake, explore beautiful Wigmore Basin which can be seen from the ruins of Wigmore Castle and the nearby Abbey.
Photos
1 Croft Castle 2 The Marches Way
3 Battle of Mortimers Cross re-enactment
10 The ULTIMATE Guide to Herefordshire, The Wye Valley & The Marches
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