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Old Radnor Castle

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
The Castle

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

OS Map Grid Reference: SO25015901
Latitude 52.22417° Longitude -3.09916°

Old Radnor Castle has been described as a probable Timber Castle, and also as a probable Fortified Manor House.

There are earthwork remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.
Description

Possible moated house in undefensive position - not a castle, possible rectory site. (King, 1983)

Old Radnor Castle is an oval enclosure, measuring c.40m by 33m, defined by a steep sided ditch, 2.6m maximum depth, and close by Old Radnor church (Nprn306985). It is set beneath steep slopes to the east, whilst the ground falls away to the west and north. The curvilinear form of the enclosure suggests an Iron Age origin, whilst the lack of banks and proximity to the church may indicate a medieval date. Conventionally regarded as a medieval ringwork castle (Coflein)

Ringwork with dished interior defined by steep sided ditch up to 2.6m deep. Original entrance probably on north side. West side destroyed. Sited at foot of steep slope. Referred to in 1607 as moated parsonage (Silvester, R J 1994b, 134). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a well-preserved medieval or post-medieval moated homestead. Old Radnor Castle is set beneath steep slopes to the east, while the ground falls away to the west and north. It is an oval moated enclosure, measuring c.40m by c.33m, defined by a steep-sided ditch up to c.2.6m deep; the west side has been damaged and partially destroyed by later activity. The entrance may originally have been on the north. It lies close to Old Radnor Church and was described in 1607 as a ‘moated parsonage’. (Scheduling Report)
Comments

D.J.C. King was quite adamant in his rejection of this as a castle site, although it is a defended medieval residence. However it does seem to be accepted as a ringwork by Coflein and Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER.
The moat ditch is more than would be strictly needed for drainage, although rain on this welsh hillside can be intense at times. It would serve to do service for domestic security but as it is below a hillside and could readily be overlooked in a bow-shot distance could not have withstood any serious attack.
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  
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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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Locations derived from OS grid references and from latitude longitiude may differ by a small distance.
Further information on mapping and location can be seen at this link.
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This record last updated 20/04/2017 04:59:44
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