Aberllynfi Castle

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

There are earthwork remains

NameAberllynfi Castle
Alternative NamesGreat House; Abberlewin; Abrelenuith; Aberllyfni
Historic CountryBrecknockshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityGwernyfed

Aberllynfi Castle is a compact motte and bailey occupying a diamond-shaped area on a natural bluff roughly 80m by 78m. The motte is at the western end. It is 30-35m in diameter at the base, up to 6.0m high, the summit being 16-17m across. (Coflein)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period. The site is keyhole shaped in plan and located on the end of a small bluff which is surrounded on three sides by water meadows bordering the Afon Llynfi. The motte has a base diameter of 34m, is 6m high and has a flat summit 16m in diameter. The bailey lies to the E of the motte and measures 50m by 30m. It is separated from the motte by a the filled-in remains of a ditch, and is bounded by natural slopes to the N and S. An original causewayed entrance crosses the moat on the S side. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Site recorded as captured in 1233. Hogg and King writes that although survived well into C13 never rebuilt in stone, Remfry writes stone lying about near motte may suggest stone round tower. Sometimes identified with the vanished Glasbury Castle although Kings is certain this was a different castle (see Glasbury).

- 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 ReferenceSO171380
Latitude52.0347518920898
Longitude-3.20826005935669
Eastings317170
Northings238060
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 231 (listed)
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p. 11
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 18
  • Remfry, Paul, 1998, Castles of Breconshire (Logaston Press) p. 140-1
  • RCAHW, 1913, An inventory of the historical monuments in Radnorshire p. 47

Journals

  • Kay, Richard, 1994, Herefordshire Archaeological News Vol. 61 p. 26-7
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1967, 'Masonry castles in Wales and the Marches: a list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 116 p. 71-132 (survived into C13 without being rebuilt in stone)
  • 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
  • King, D.J.C., 1961, ‘The castles of Breconshire’ Brycheiniog Vol. 7 p. 84 no. 15 online copy

Primary Sources