Castell Gwallter, Geneu'r Glyn (The Gatehouse Record)

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Castell Gwalter; Penweddig; Pengwern; Penwedic; Pennedich; Llanfihangel Geneur Glyn; Castell Walter; Gaer Brynhir; Castell Penwedig; Chastell Gwalter

In the community of Geneu'r Glyn.
In the historic county of Cardiganshire.
Modern authority of Ceredigion.
Preserved county of Dyfed.

OS Map Grid Reference: SN62178678
Latitude 52.46143° Longitude -4.03005°

Castell Gwallter, Geneu'r Glyn has been described as a certain Timber Castle.

There are earthwork remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

Description

Castell Gwallter is a medieval castle represented by the earthworks of its motte or castle mound, and of its various baileys or courts. The castle was established by the Anglo-Normans in about 1110 and was the centre for the lordship of Geneu'r-glyn commote. It was destroyed in 1135 and is last heard of in 1153. It may have been replaced by Domen Las, the castle of Abereinion (see NPRN 303600). The castle mound is a ditched and counterscarped, circular flat-topped mound, 32-33m in diameter and about 4.5m high. It would have been crowned by a great timber tower with a strong breastwork on the counterscarp. There is a small ditched and banked bailey or court on the north side. This is about 38m north-south by 28m, and would have been the site of the lordly hall and associated offices. There are indications of a much larger court on the east side of the motte. This is roughly rectangular with rounded corners, roughly 80-100m east-west by 126-135m, and is defined largely by scarps. Such a large enclosure would suit the dignity of the main castle of a lordship and would have accommodated assemblies of lesser lords. (Coflein)

Sources of information, references and further reading

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s) for this site is/are 92234.
The County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number(s) for this site is/are 2007.

Websites (Gatehouse is not responsible for the content of external websites.)
- Jeff Thomas's Castles of Wales
  Jeff Thomas's Castles of Wales
Books
- Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 234 (listed)
  Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 40
  Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 29, 44
  Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing) p. 53
  Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 23
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 45, 49
  Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 136
  Owen, Henry (ed), 1936, The Description of Pembrokeshire (London) Vol. 4 p. 489
  Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p. 282 view online copy
  Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales view online copy
Periodical Articles
- Wiles, John, 2012-13, 'A note on the two castles of Genau'r-glyn Ceredigion' Castle Studies Group Journal Vol. 26 p. 190-195
  Spurgeon, C.J., 1977, ‘Castell Gwalter’ 124th Annual Meeting in Aberystwyth, South Montgomery and North Radnor, 1977, CAA p. 15-16
  Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
  King, D.J.C., 1956, 'The Castles of Cardiganshire' Ceredigion Vol. 3 p. 62 no. 20 view online copy
  O'Neil, 1946-7, Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 99 p. 156-7
  Wright, 1912, Aberystwyth Studies Vol. 1 p. 115-25
Primary (Medieval documents or transcriptions of such documents -This section is far from complete, particularly for the major royal castles and the secondary sources should be consulted for full references.)
- Brut y Tywysogion 1136, 1151 (Several transcriptions and translations exist the best being Jones, T., 1952, Brut Y Twysogion (University of Wales, History and Law series 11)–based on the Peniarth MS 20 version. There is a flawed translation Williams ab Ithel, John, 1860, Brut Y Twysogion or The Chronicle of the Princes (Rolls Series) view online copy and Owen, Aneurin (ed), 1864, 'Brut y Tywysogion' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 19 supplement p. 124-5 view online copy)
  Johnson, C. and Cronne, H.A. (eds), 1956, Regesta Regum Anglo-Normannorum, 1066–1154 Vol. 3 Regesta Henrici Primi 1100-1135 p. 113 no. 1041 online copy

Data >	Coflein	County HER
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