Aberllynfi Church Hall Mound

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Possible Siege Work

There are earthwork remains

NameAberllynfi Church Hall Mound
Alternative NamesGlasbury; Glasbiry
Historic CountryBrecknockshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityGwernyfed

Probably natural mound some 20m diameter and 10m high. Noted as possible earthwork by CPAT site visit 1979. (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

1233. Aug. 29. Hereford.–Appointment, during pleasure, of W. son of Warin to the custody of the castle of Glasbiry; and mandate to Baldwin de Gisnes to deliver it to him. (CPR)

Gatehouse Comments

Mound formed by 3m deep rock cut ditches. Remfry identifies this site as a possible siege castle of 1233. Presumable he is considering this as the site recorded in 1233, near Aberllynfi but distinct from it, mentioned in Hogg and King under the name Glasbury but unlocated. This site is a classic castle location, by a church and very close to a site of a early medieval Llys. Remfry's description of rock cut ditches is not consistent with a natural formation, but it's also unusual in early motte castles. Certainly use as a siege work can not be excluded but questionable about this being constructed as such. May actually be a feature of a post llys high status manorial site. The map reference given in Archwillo does not quite seem to be correct.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSO175382
Latitude52.0367012023926
Longitude-3.20222997665405
Eastings317560
Northings238270
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Books

  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p. 11
  • Remfry, Paul, 1998, Castles of Breconshire (Logaston Press) p. 141

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 (note as Glasbury)

Primary Sources

  • 1906, Calendar of Patent Rolls Henry III (1232-47) Vol. 3 p. 25 online copy