Guanceste

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameGuanceste
Alternative NamesGwaunceste; Bryn y Maen
Historic CountryRadnorshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityNew Radnor

A mound, 24m in diameter and 2.0m high, associated with the stone alignment, 60m to the SW (Coflein)

The monument comprises the remains of an earthen built round barrow, which probably dates to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC). It stands on a plateau to the north-east of the Bryn y Maen stone alignment. The barrow is circular in shape on plan and has a rounded profile, is c.22m in diameter and c.2m high. (Scheduling Report)

Despite being overlooked by high ground the worn earthworks here commanding a high pass from Elfael into Llythyfnwg seems to have been a small motte with tiny triangular baileys to the north and south of it. (Salter 2001)

Gatehouse Comments

The map reference given by Salter is for the Bryn y Maen round barrow below Gwaunceste Hill. The nearby Four Stones is a boundary marker. Although this might be a small 'taxation post' type welsh castle on a drovers route now just a footpath there is not enough evidence to suggest medieval reuse of what is clearly a prehistoric site.

- 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 ReferenceSO156568
Latitude52.2039184570313
Longitude-3.23513007164001
Eastings315660
Northings256860
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.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Remfry, P., 2008, The Castles and History of Radnorshire (SCS Publishing)
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 258 (listed as round barrow)
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p. 62
  • Remfry, P., 1996, Castles of Radnorshire (Logaston Press) p. 129
  • Gregory, D., 1994, Radnorshire: A Historical Guide (Gwasg Carreg Gwalch, Iard yr Orsaf)
  • RCAHMW, 1913, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Radnorshire (HMSO) p. 90 no. 355 online copy