Castle Villa, Brawdy

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Ringwork), and also as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameCastle Villa, Brawdy
Alternative NamesCastle Gwilym; Cas Wilia; Castle-y-Cymry; Castell Willia; Castell Wilym; Castle William
Historic CountryPembrokeshire
Modern AuthorityPembrokeshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityBrawdy

Cas Wilia is a sub-rectangular, or semi-circular enclosure, c.43m by 35m, bounded by triple banks with intermediate ditches on all sides save the east, having a well preserved entrance to the west. (Coflein)

The monument comprises the remains of an earthwork/stone-built enclosure. The date or precise nature of the enclosure is unknown, but it is likely to be later prehistoric or medieval. The enclosure is defended on the west by triple banks and ditches. The east side is occupied by farm buildings which have obliterated the banks and the interior is occupied by a farmyard. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

The multi-vallate form would seem to suggest a pre-historic origin but King records this as a medieval castle site. A farm stands within the enclosure and several finds of stones with Latin and Ogham inscriptions here suggest Roman and Dark Age occupation of fairly high status. (RCAHMW, p. 29-9). Certainly use of this site as a defensible enclosure by the medieval stone building that occupied the site (RCAHMW p. 30) of the modern farm can not be dismissed.

- 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 ReferenceSM881276
Latitude51.9070014953613
Longitude-5.08128976821899
Eastings188160
Northings227660
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image

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Books

  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 29
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 399
  • RCAHMW, 1925, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Pembrokeshire (HMSO) p. 25 no. 62; 28-9 no. 66; p. 30 no. 76 online copy
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy (British Encampment)

Journals

  • Jones, F., 1981, 'Castle Villa - Cas Wilia' The Pembrokeshire historian: journal of the Pembrokeshire Local History Society Vol. 7 p. 63-74 online copy