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Castell Blaenllynfi

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;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

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)

This site is alternatively spelt Blaenllynfi meaning source of Llynfi (it is the site of the source of the Avon 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 mapping and other online resources
Data >
Coflein   County HER        
Maps >
OS getamap   Streetmap   Old-Maps   Where's the path  
Data/Maps > 
Magic   Vision of Britain   EarthTools    
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Sources of information, references and further reading

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.
It is an offence to disturb a Scheduled Monument without consent. It is a destruction of everyone's heritage to remove archaeological evidence from ANY site without proper recording and reporting.
Don't use metal detectors on historic sites without authorisation.
The information on this web page may be derived from information compiled by and/or copyright of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales, the four welsh archaeological trusts and other individuals and organisations. All the sources given should be consulted to identify the original copyright holder and permission obtained from them before use of the information on this site for commercial purposes.
I do not receive any income from this site and I fund it myself. The information within this site is provided freely by me for educational purposes only.
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.
The possible site or monument is represented on maps as a point location. This is a guide only. It should be noted that OS grid references defines an area, not a point location. In practice this means the actual center of the site or monument may often, but not always, be to the North East of the point shown.
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 on Monday, June 17, 2013
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