Usk Castle is located immediately to the north of the present day town on a hill overlooking the streets and main Twyn square.

However, the site had a history of previous military, strategic, and local significance, for it was here that the Romans had established their early Legionary fortress before relocating it south to Caerleon.

[1][2] The Normans had to control and subjugate the region, and brought in Marcher Lord Richard Fitz Gilbert de Clare who sought to strengthen the castle's defences against Welsh attack, but he was ambushed and killed north of Abergavenny in 1136.

Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Hertford, another holder of Usk castle, was killed at the Battle of Bannockburn.

[6] The Early Medieval re-enactment group Regia Anglorum borrowed the Castle for its Autumn training from 2009-2017.