Question #7

"I am first referred to in the Domesday Book. My builder was an important comrade-in-arms of William the Bastard, and my later owners were among history's most notorious noble-Marcher families. Although some would say that my remains are "gaunt" I've recently had an expensive face-lift that has me looking, not as I did in my prime, but rather more like I did in your grandfather's day. What castle am I and can you explain my clues?"

Yes, the correct answer is WIGMORE CASTLE!

Wigmore was built by one of William the Conqueror's most important Norman captains, William Fitzosbern. The castle however is more often associated with the Mortimers, and served as an important early seat of power for this ambitious and influential Marcher family. Today the site of the castle is owned by a Mr. John Gaunt ("gaunt remains"). Wigmore recently underwent a different type of restoration program whereby, instead of excavating the site, the existing above-ground remains were repaired and strengthened, preserving the site as an unrestored romantic ruin, the way the site has appeared for centuries ("in your grandfather's day").