Pencader Castle

Pencader Castle is a well-preserved earth and timber castle on a steep-sided promontory jutting out into the valley of the Nant Gran at its confluence with the Afon Tyweli. The castle sits within private grounds and is not accessible to the public – for the most part it cannot be seen from public roads or footpaths.

The motte is well defined and steep sided, rising about 5.5 metres high at the eastern tip of the promontory. The summit is flat and about 24 metres across, and separated from the bailey area by a ditch some 13 metres across. The bailey area is defined largely by modern boundaries, but Castle Road, which curves around the south-western part, climbs up past a steep sided gully, and although the road turns west, a track continues northwards past St Mary’s Church – and the spring opposite. The sides of the slopes by this well form the north western limit of the bailey, which is now occupied by a private house, although it used to be a school.

It is believed that Pencader Castle was founded by Gilbert de Clare, earl of Pembroke in 1145, at which point it was known as the castle of Mabudrud, the commote in which it was built, although it was retaken by Cadell ap Gruffudd the following year, with his younger bothers Maredudd and Rhys.  Clare was at the time involved in trying to take advantage of the death of Gruffudd ap Rhys to expand his territory into Ystrad Tywi during the Anarchy period. However, the territory was reclaimed by the Welsh and the castle of Mabudrud was later held by Rhys ap Gruffudd, who had achieved a regional dominance, and who paid homage to King Henry II at the castle in 1162. The commote of Mabudrud appears likely to have been held by Rhys Gryg, and then by his son Maredudd (builder of Dryslwyn Castle) and by Maredudd’s son Rhys. The presence of a Gruffudd ap Bleddyn of Mabudrud as a witness to the Lord Rhys’ charter of foundation issued to Strata Florida Abbey probably records the name of one of Rhys’ officials or followers. The castle has not been excavated, so the occupation dates are unknown. However it seems most probable that a llys court of sorts was maintained here as the commotal centre into the latter 13th century, but it did not see military action as a castle.

RCAHMW Coflein database entry