Penarth Mount

Penarth Mount is a well defined ditched motte on a natural mound overlooking the Afon Edw in Radnorshire. The mound is sat upon a level rectangular shelf which drops away to the east and south to the river valley, and is bounded to the west by a stream, beyond which is the prominent hill of Wylfre. Just to the south is the Cregrina Bridge, which is a natural crossing or fording point, and probably the reason for the castle being constructed here. The mound is within fields used for grazing, but is clearly visible from the road.

The motte measures about 38 metres across at the base, perhaps ten metres across at the summit, and is a well-preserved conical shape some seven or eight metres high. Around the base, the one metre deep ditch is clearly visible on all sides, as is the counterscarp bank on the outside; in addition there is a second ditch around the southern face of the natural mound, perhaps 15 metres at most from the base of the motte. There is no evidence of a bailey, and the summit is rounded from some directions although it is also slightly hollowed, perhaps indicating that the remains of a fallen tower are hidden below the grass.

There is no known history associated with the motte here. However the Edw valley was fiercely fought over many times during the medieval period. It was part of the cantref of Builth which fell under the dominance of the de Braose family, and appears to have been ruled intermittently by the Mortimers and the princes of Gwynedd. Cregrina has a chapel dedicated to St David, believed to date from c1220 and the lordship of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth of Gwynedd, but the font is described as “Norman” and is therefore older. The close proximity of the motte and chapel point towards Penarth Motte (named after the farm) and the church and settlement at Cregrina perhaps being a foundation of Philip de Braose. It seems unlikely that a church of St Davids was established by a Norman, so there may have been an earlier cult centre here. The motte (and putative tower) may have remained in use through to the late 13th century, but destruction during the many wars that took place in the area is just as possible.

RCAHMW Coflein database entry