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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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Bryn y Castell, Knighton

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Bryn Castell; Cnicteton; Cnichton; Trefylco

In the community of Knighton.
In the historic county of Radnorshire.
Modern authority of Powys.
Preserved county of Powys.

OS Map Grid Reference: SO29017217
Latitude 52.34314° Longitude -3.04283°

Bryn y Castell, Knighton has been described as a certain Timber Castle, and also as a probable Masonry Castle, and also as a Siege Work although is doubtful that it was such.

There are earthwork remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.
Description

Mound 40m in diameter (flat top 15m across) and 4.4m high on the edge of a steep escarpment on its N side. Surrounded, except on the N, by a ditch 1.3m deep. Possibly castle mentioned in 1181, 1191-3 and 1207 (Coflein)

Circular flat topped motte some 40m overall dia and 4.5m high. Surrounded except at N by 1.3m deep ditch. No evidence for the bailey to s postulated by RCAHM, 1913. No further detail. (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. Bryn y Castell is located on the south bank of the Teme, almost equidistant from the mottes at Knucklas and Lower Stanage. The motte is c.35m in diameter and c.4m high above the base of a ditch c.1m deep. its summit is c.15m in diameter. The bailey probably lay to the south, but the area is now covered by the Knighton Town Cricket ground. As at Lower Stanage, the ditch of the motte disappears on the north side into an almost sheer drop of 12 to 15m to the flat water meadows bounding the river. (Scheduling Report)
Comments

Usually described as original castle of Knighton of c1100. However, Remfry writes it is possible a supplementary castle of just after 1215. Possible had masonry shell keep. Armitage thought this might be a siege castle of Knighton, but this seems unlikely.
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 > 
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Photos >
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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.
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This record last updated 20/04/2017 04:39:01
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