 The three @-@ storey gatehouse to Raglan Castle dates from the 1460s and is approached over a stone bridge restored in 1949 . Characterised by extensive machicolations and gunloops , the gatehouse would originally have had a twin @-@ set of portcullises and a drawbridge . The intention of the design was at least partially defensive , but was also intended to provide a dramatic and impressive entrance for senior visitors to the castle . The upper part of the gatehouse provided chambers for the constable of the castle . Immediately to the west of the gatehouse was the castle library , once famous for its collection of Welsh literature . On the east side of the gatehouse is the three @-@ storey Closet Tower ; this was designed to be integral to the gatehouse , and may have contained the original castle treasury , conveniently accessible by the constable . The Closet Tower was partly altered in later years , possibly to allow the basement to be used as a magazine in the English Civil War . 
