Rhyd y Gors, Llangunnor

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Other/Unknown)

There are no visible remains

NameRhyd y Gors, Llangunnor
Alternative NamesBanc y Castell; Rhydygors; Ritcors
Historic CountryCarmarthenshire
Modern AuthorityCarmarthenshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityLlangunnor

Castle built on a bluff above the river at Carmarthen by William fitz Baldwin in the late C11, and was an important center for the Norman invasion and subsequent control of southwest Wales. Fitz Baldwin held the castle until his death in 1096. His brother Richard re-established the castle in 1105. By 1109 the surrounding territory was under the control of one of King Henry I's most experienced administrators, Walter of Gloucester, and Rhyd y Gors remained a center of royal influence in southwest Wales for years to come. (Walker)

According to Hogg and King "This was the early name of Carmarthen Castle, but not necessarily its site" Site destroyed by railway in C19.

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSN409186
Latitude51.8432502746582
Longitude-4.31096982955933
Eastings240900
Northings218600
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

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Books

  • Purton, P.F., 2009, A History of the Early Medieval Siege c. 450-1220 (Woodbridge: The Boydell Press) p. 172, 264, 273, 279
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 253 (listed as possible)
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 44
  • Walker, David, 1990, Medieval Wales (Cambridge University Press)
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker)
  • RCAHMW, 1917, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Carmarthenshire (HMSO) p. 247 no. 725 online copy

Journals

  • Kenyon, John R., 1996, 'Fluctuating Frontiers: Normanno-Welsh Castle Warfare c. 1075 to 1240' Château Gaillard Vol. 17 p. 119-126
  • 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 (possible)

Primary Sources

  • Brut y Tywysogion 1094, 1096, 1102, 1106 (Several transcriptions and translations exist the best being Jones, T., 1952, Brut Y Twysogion (University of Wales, History and Law series 11)–based on the Peniarth MS 20 version. There is a flawed translation Williams ab Ithel, John, 1860, Brut Y Twysogion or The Chronicle of the Princes (Rolls Series) online copy)
  • Williams (ab Ithel), John, (ed), 1860, Annales Cambriae (444 – 1288) (London: Longman, Green, Longman, and Roberts)s.a. 1105 online copy