Peterston Castle

Has been described as a Certain Masonry Castle

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains

NamePeterston Castle
Alternative Names
Historic CountryGlamorgan
Modern AuthorityVale of Glamorgan
1974 AuthoritySouth Glamorgan
CommunityPeterson-super-Ely

The masonry remains of Peterston Castle lie within the grounds of Caehir House to the west and Castleby to the centre. The earliest fragment seems to represent a detached keep, retaining slight hints of twelfth century detail. Other features included a rectangular walled and towered enclosure, approximately 40m east to west by 35m. The court and other towers were later medieval work. The castle has been progressively destroyed by housing development, and recent Ordnance Survey mapping along with information from the Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust indicates that only a single fragment remains. (Coflein)

Only a small portion of walling, up to 3.7m high, now remains of Peterston Castle. (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust HER)

Here are the remains of an ancient castle, which has been long in ruins; nothing satisfactory is known of its original foundation. (Lewis)

The monument consists of the remains of a medieval castle at Peterston. Comprising the north-west angle tower, it is the main surviving part of the castle of the le Sores of St Fagans and Peterston. Richard le Sore was settled in Glamorgan by c. 1102 and the family remained in possession until the site of the castle was sold to John Butler in c. 1382. There are possible traces of a 12th century keep, but the north-west tower is probably of 13th-14th century date. The surviving west wall stands to a height of c. 6m, with traces of north and south returns. The tower was of three floors. Of the uppermost only the beam holes of its floors remain. In the west wall is a splayed window with a segmented headed rear arch. There are traces of other windows at ground floor level in the north wall, and a garderobe chute in the south-west angle. Access between the floors was via a newel stair in the south wall. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

A small masonry castle which, despite being scheduled, does seem to be being gradually destroyed. No known history and no apparent interest in the castle.

- 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 ReferenceST083764
Latitude51.4790191650391
Longitude-3.32080006599426
Eastings308390
Northings176410
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
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Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
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, R., 2011, The Forgotten Castles of Wales (Almeley: Logaston Press) p. 101-108
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 240, 255 (listed twice)
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 111
  • < >RCAHMW, 1991, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan Vol. 3 Part 1a: The Early Castles (London: HMSO) < > EM5 p. 340-3
  • Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p. 61
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 168
  • Fry, P.S., 1980, Castles of the British Isles (David and Charles) p. 373
  • Hague, D.B., 1971, in Pugh, T.B. (ed), Glamorgan County History Vol. 3 The Middle Ages (Cardiff) p. 445 (King writes 'not very helpful')
  • Rees, Wm, 1932, Map of South Wales and the Border in the 14th century (Ordnance Survey) (A handbook to the map was published in 1933)
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy
  • Homfray, Jeston, 1828, The Castles of the Lordship of Glamorgan (Cardiff) p. 21 and plate

Antiquarian

  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1906, Leland's Itinerary in Wales  (Bell and Sons; London) p. 26 online copy

Journals

  • Spurgeon, Jack, 1987, 'The Castles of Glamorgan' Château Gaillard Vol. 13 p. 209n, 222
  • 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