Trefecca Motte

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameTrefecca Motte
Alternative NamesTrefeca; Weynards Castle; Waynards castle; Castellum Waynardi
Historic CountryBrecknockshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityTalgarth

An uncertain earthwork site that has been identified as a motte and bailey castle. A sub-rectangular enclosure, about 66m by 50m, rests on scarps above the Afon Llynfi to the north-west. It is otherwise defined by seemingly natural gully carrying a small watercourse about its south-east and north-east sides, and a sunken track on the south-west. An earthen bank crossing the gully could represent a pond-bay. A mutilated mound in the north-west angle, about 25m by 16m, might be the remains of a motte. (Coflein)

A house now lies within the bailey which has strong natural slopes on each side except to the SE. The construction of the railway from Hay to Brecon caused removal of most of the motte in the NW corner, leaving just a chord of the summit which is 6m long, 2.5m high, and now overgrown. (Salter)

Castle mentioned in charters of fee of Trewalkin. May be equated with Weynard's castle (Coplestone-Crowe, B 1993, 43-9). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The site comprises a shapeless mound, 2.4m high, in a private garden to the E of the Afon Llynfi. Much of the W side of the motte was removed during the building of the railway cutting in the 19th century. The probable site of the bailey lies to the E in an area now occupied by a house and garden. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Waynard's Castle is an unidentified castle mentioned in mid C12 Charter, near Talgarth, identified as possibly Trefecca Fawr by Remfry and as either Trefeca, Trefeca fawr by King.

- 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 ReferenceSO141322
Latitude51.9826698303223
Longitude-3.25104999542236
Eastings314180
Northings232290
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 232 (listed)
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p. 33
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 18
  • Remfry, Paul, 1998, Castles of Breconshire (Logaston Press) p. 174
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 20

Journals

  • Coplestone-Crowe, B., 1993, 'Trewalkin and its Anglo-Norman Lords' Brycheiniog Vol. 26 p. 43-9 online copy
  • 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. 92 no. 34 online copy

Primary Sources

  • Dugdale, William (Caley, J., Ellis, H. and Bandinel, B. (eds)), 1817-30 (originally pub. 1655-73), Monasticon Anglicanum (London) Vol. 3 p. 265b online copy

Other

  • Silvester, R.J. and Dorling, P.J., 1993, Historic settlements in the Brecon Beacons National Park (CPAT report)