Bishton Castle

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Other/Unknown), and also as a Possible Palace (Bishop)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameBishton Castle
Alternative NamesLankes Castle; Lanckiscastle; Bishopston
Historic CountryMonmouthshire
Modern AuthorityNewport
1974 AuthorityGwent
CommunityBishton

The alledged site of Bishton Castle lies on a natural platform that projects southwards from ground overlooking a small river valley in which lies the village of Bishton. The platform, the outer scarp of which is about 5m high, slopes to the south and is characterised by an undulating surface. No earthwork traces were noted. (Coflein)

No remains are left, though there is a farmhouse which is still called the Castle, adjoining a mound on which the castle may have stood. (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The site consists of a semi-circular scarp on the E and S sides of a natural ridge. At the top of the slope the ground appears to have been levelled with two roughly rectangular level areas possibly corresponding to the location of buildings. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Possibly a manor of the Bishop of Llandaff.

- 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 ReferenceST392880
Latitude51.5882911682129
Longitude-2.87848997116089
Eastings339230
Northings188060
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 255-6 (listed as alleged site)
  • Phillips, Neil, 2006, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (British Archaeological Reports) p. 123-4
  • Thompson, M.W., 1998, Medieval bishops' houses in England and Wales (Aldershot: Ashgate Publishing) p. 180
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 289
  • Bradney, J.A., 1932, History of Monmouthshire Vol. 4 p. 257

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
  • Sheppard, H.E., 1895-97, 'Monmouth Castle and Priory' Transactions of the Bristol and Gloucestershire Archaeological Society Vol. 20 p. 59-75 (slight) online copy

Other

  • Phillips, Neil, 2005, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (PhD Thesis University of Sheffield) Download
  • Payne, Naomi, 2003, The medieval residences of the bishops of Bath and Wells, and Salisbury (PhD Thesis University of Bristol) Appendix B: List of Medieval Bishop's Palaces in England and Wales (available via [http://ethos.bl.uk])