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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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Penmark Castle

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Penmarc

In the community of Rhoose.
In the historic county of Glamorgan.
Modern authority of Vale of Glamorgan.
Preserved county of South Glamorgan.

OS Map Grid Reference: ST05896890
Latitude 51.41123° Longitude -3.35509°

Penmark Castle has been described as a certain Timber Castle, and also as a certain Masonry Castle.

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.
Description

The remains of Penmark Castle consist of two enclosures resting on natural scarps on the north and east. A sub-oval inner enclosure, c.58m east to west by 40m, is defined by the remains of a stone curtain, with one tower and indications of a second. Within are traces of buildings, with a ruined barn of c.1770. The sub-rectanular outer enclosure on the west is around 50m east to west by 60m. It is defined by a bank and ditch on the west and rests on the churchyard on the south (see NPRN 301269). There are remains of a c.6.0m diameter dove cote at the north-west angle. The castle thought to be early twelfth century in origin, but is first mentioned in documents in 1307. It is recorded as ruinous by 1622. (Coflein–ref. RCAHMW, 2000)

Remains of C13 wall 1m thick around a court 65m long by 47m wide with a more thinly walled C16 outer court to the west. The moat has been filled in but there are extensive footings on the east side of the court and on the west side are overgrown ruins of a tower 7m in diameter with a rectangular latrine turret to the south and various other structures. Gilbert de Umfraville had a timber castle on this site in C12. In the time of Edward II Oliver de St John obtained the castle when he married Elizabeth Umfraville, the young heiress. (Salter, 1991)

The monument consists of the remains of a castle, dating to the medieval period. Penmark is a substantial 13th century castle. A round tower stands to second floor level and a stretch of hugh curtain walling of the inner ward runs southwards from it. Fragmentary remains of other parts, with a large outer ward to the west. The castle was held by the de Umfreville family and then by the Bawdrips. (Scheduling Report)
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

Data >
Coflein   County HER   Scheduling        
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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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Further information on mapping and location can be seen at this link.
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This record last updated 06/07/2016 18:00:40
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