Monmouthshire was a county notorious for its continuing recusancy after the Reformation, with many of its gentry remaining Catholic. In the 1640s there were more Catholics in Monmouthshire as a percentage of the population than any other county in England and Wales. A degree of protection was afforded by the Somersets of Raglan Castle, descended from Edward III through John of Gaunt. The 5th Earl of Worcester (1577-1646) converted to Catholicism as a young man and was created 1st Marquess of Worcester in 1642 as a reward for his financial assistance to Charles I.