Hay-on-Wye Town Walls
Has been described as a Certain Urban Defence
There are masonry footings remains
| Name | Hay-on-Wye Town Walls |
| Alternative Names | Haya; Gelli; Tregelli |
| Historic Country | Brecknockshire |
| Modern Authority | Powys |
| 1974 Authority | Powys |
| Community | Hay |
C13 stone wall. A roughly triangular area resting on an extensive, c.437m, river frontage, and extending c.372m to the SE, was enclosed by walls, described as being strong, by Leland, in 1535-43. Scarps survive between SO23014268 and SO23184243, whilst the circuit incorporated the castle in the S. The first grant of murage, for 3 years, was granted in 1232 the year after the town and castle had been attacked by Llywelyn ab Iorwerth. The castle was built at the same time (c.f. Haverfordwest). A second murage, again for 3 years, was granted in 1237. Both grants were to Eva de Braose, rather than to the town community.
Section of the former town boundary wall with steep bank to E. Runs from the site of the Water Gate, curves SE and continues until the end of the narrow lane which itself follows the course of the town wall up to the site of the Gate by The Olde Black Lion Inn. The wall was probably constructed in C19 out of the town wall which is said to have been largely destroyed by the late C18/early C19. The rubble medieval walls were erected after 1237 financed by a murage tax levied weekly for 3 years by Eva de Breos. The wall has partially collapsed, is overgrown in several places and is rebuilt at S end to form a garden wall; boarded gate entrance midway along. Included as a clearly defined and moderately long stretch of medieval town bounary. (Listed Building Report)
Not scheduled
This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law
Historic Wales CADW listed database record number
The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
| OS Map Grid Reference | SO229424 |
| Latitude | 52.0770988464355 |
| Longitude | -3.12444996833801 |
| Eastings | 322960 |
| Northings | 242450 |
