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The comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Islands.
 
 
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Castell Blaenllynfi

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Blaen Llyfni; Blaen Lleveny; Blean-Llevenny; Blaenllyfni; Blaenllynvi; Bleynleveny

In the community of Llanfihangel Cwmdu with Bwlch and Cathedine.
In the historic county of Brecknockshire.
Modern authority of Powys.
Preserved county of Powys.

OS Map Grid Reference: SO14492289
Latitude 51.89803° Longitude -3.24371°

Castell Blaenllynfi has been described as a probable Timber Castle, and also as a certain Masonry Castle.

There are masonry footings remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.
Description

Stone-built quadrillateral castle, c.70m by 47m, defined by remains of walls, butresses and towers, within a broad moat, c.120m by 100m overall. To the NW of this is an embanked pool (now dry), 100m by 24m, with which the mound at SO14512300 is associated. The site was excavated by its then owner from 1973. (Derived from Coflein and Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

Centre of the Fitz Herbert Barony of 1208, probably constructed in the years 1208 to 1215, after which it fell into the hands of the Braose family. It was returned to the fitz Herberts in 1217/8 and was sacked by Prince Llywelyn ab Iorwerth and Richard Marshall in the October of 1233. Rebuilt soon afterwards it was apparently taken by Llywelyn ap Gruffydd late in 1262. It was retaken by September 1273 when Reginald fitz Peter fitz Herbert was rebuked for his castle taking activities in Brecknockshire. The castle was seized by the Crown after the abortive uprisings of 1321-2 and given to the Dispensers until their overthrow late in 1326. The castle by this time was nearly ruinous and an inquisition by jury of 23 January 1337 held at the castle found numerous defects which suggests that the castle had never recovered from the attentions of Llywelyn ap Gruffydd, even if the archaeological evidence does suggest that the castle defences were improved at this time. (Remfry)

The monument consists of the remains of a castle, dating to the medieval period. A castle is a defended residence or stronghold, built mainly of stone, in which the principal or sole defence comprises the walls and towers bounding the site. Some form of keep may have stood within the enclosure but these were not significant in defensive terms and served mainly to provide accommodation. Castell Blain-Llynfi was a stronghold of the de Breos family, but was confiscated in about 1208 by William Marshall, the Earl of Pembroke and given to King John. The King then granted it to Peter Fitz Herbert, but it was recovered by Giles de Breos in 1213. (Scheduling Report)
Comments

This site is alternatively spelt Blaenllynfi meaning source of Llynfi (it is the site of the source of the Afon Llynfi) or Blaenllyfni meaning something like source of smoothness. The second spelling seems incorrect but is much used and appears to be an old oft repeated typographical error.
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

Data >
Coflein   County HER   Scheduling        
Maps >
Streetmap   NLS maps   Where's the path   Old-Maps      
Data/Maps > 
Magic   Historic Wales   V. O. B.   Geology   LIDAR  
Air Photos > 
Bing Maps   Google Maps   Getmapping   ZoomEarth      
Photos >
CastleFacts   Geograph   Flickr   Panoramio      

Sources of information, references and further reading
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The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.
Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.
Minor archaeological investigations, such as watching brief reports, and some other 'grey' literature is most likely to be held by H.E.R.s but is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded here, or elsewhere, but some suggestions can be found here.
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This record last updated 05/07/2016 17:25:29
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