Pointz Castle

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NamePointz Castle
Alternative NamesPunch Castle; Poyntz; Castrum Poncii
Historic CountryPembrokeshire
Modern AuthorityPembrokeshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityBrawdy

A ditched motte, 36m in diameter and 4.0m high, with no trace of further works. There are possible traces of a stonewalled structure upon the motte summit (Nprn30076). In C19 several unspecified bronze coins were found on the slopes of the mound, which has also produced a cross inscribed stone, hinting at an earlier origin for the mound. (Coflein)

This is doubtless the mound-castle of Punchard or Ponce, one of the Poitevin knightly tenants of bishop Peter de Leia (1176-1199), the manor being frequently referred to in royal and episcopal documents as Castrum or Villa Poncii. It was subsequently retained in the hands of the bishop, and became one of the principal granges in the extensive episcopal possessions. (RCAHMW)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. The motte at Pointz Castle measures 35ft in diameter across the top and 18ft high. For the greater part it is surrounded by a ditch with a 5ft counterscarp and is eroded or has been dug into on the south side. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

There is no bailey but the RCAHMW felt if there was one it lay to the west of the mound. It is more likely the Ponce house and farm lay to the east of the mound, where the modern farm building are and was probably lightly protected with a fence. The mound, probably surmounted by a timber tower, having a mainly symbolic function showing the knightly status of the foreign tenants to pilgrims heading to nearby St David's.

- 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 ReferenceSM830237
Latitude51.8698616027832
Longitude-5.15309000015259
Eastings183020
Northings223730
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 248 (listed)
  • Hull, Lise, 2005, Castles and Bishops Palaces of Pembrokeshire (Logaston Press) p. 187
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 173
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 40
  • Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing) p. 121
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 87 (slight)
  • Miles, Dillwyn, 1979 (Revised 1988), Castles of Pembrokeshire (Pembrokeshire Coast National Park) p. 5-7
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 396
  • RCAHMW, 1925, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Pembrokeshire (HMSO) p. 25-6 no. 63 online copy
  • Laws, E. and Owen, H., 1908, Archaeological Survey of Pembrokeshire 1896-1907 (Tenby) p. 46

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