Castle Kinsey, Court Evan Gwynne

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle

There are earthwork remains

NameCastle Kinsey, Court Evan Gwynne
Alternative NamesCwrt Gwynne; Clyro 2; Court Evan Glynne
Historic CountryRadnorshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityClyro

A ditched motte, c.31m in diameter and 4.0-6.3m high, with a bailey enclosure, c.52m by 40m, partly defined by scarps to the E. The bailey scarps continue around the N of the motte as a counterscarp. The motte appears to have traces of spiral paths cut into it and may be considered as a garden feature (see Nprn86212) - possibly associated with farmstead partially built over site (Nprn81884). (Coflein)

Motte up to 6.5m high and 11m dia at top and skirted by bank and ditch (remains) on N with a sub-oval bailey 50m long (nearly destroyed) to the SE. No further detail. Motte, 12m in diameter and c.5.5m high. Much of the vegetation has been cut back recently which has helped to clarify its structure. The ditch and its counterscarp bank on the northern side is clearer as also is the outline of the bailey adjacent to the motte on its eastern side (Cadw, 2000). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. Castle Kinsey is defended on the north by the deep ravine of Cwm Byddog and commands extensive views of the Wye valley to the east, south and west. The motte is c.5.5m high and 12m in diameter at the top, with a slight ditch and counterscarp surviving around its northern side. The line of the counterscarp continues eastwards beyond the scheduled area as a scarp to define the position of a bailey to the east-south-east, which measures c.50m east-south-east to west-north-west by 40m. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Little trace of apparently stone masonry.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSO215447
Latitude52.0955810546875
Longitude-3.14679002761841
Eastings321560
Northings244750
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Remfry, P., 2008, The Castles and History of Radnorshire (SCS Publishing)
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 249, 258 (listed twice)
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p. 61
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 181
  • Remfry, P., 1996, Castles of Radnorshire (Logaston Press) p. 136
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 407
  • RCAHMW, 1913, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Radnorshire (HMSO) p. 34 no. 116 online copy
  • Davies, Edwin (ed), William, Jonathan, 1905, A General History of the County of Radnor (reprinted from Williams, J., 1858, 'History of Radnorshire' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 13 p. 250

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
  • Renn, D.F., 1959, 'Mottes: a classification' Antiquity Vol. 33 p. 106-12 (listed as precussor to Clyro)