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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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Woodstock Ring, Ambleston

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;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

In the community of Ambleston.
In the historic county of Pembrokeshire.
Modern authority of Pembrokeshire.
Preserved county of Dyfed.

OS Map Grid Reference: SN02282563
Latitude 51.89380° Longitude -4.87532°

Woodstock Ring, Ambleston has been described as a Timber Castle although is doubtful that it was such.

There are earthwork remains.

Description

This site has been considered by some writers to be a castle but is rejected as such by Hogg and King as probably prehistoric.

At the junction of four roads a few yards east of Woodstock school-house is an enclosure of about 60 feet in diameter, which is possibly the site of a small moated dwelling, though there are at present no indications of a moat. A surrounding bank stands about 3 feet high. In the same field are the ruins of a small chapel and burial ground of Rinaston. (RCAHMW)

A subrectangular, round-angled earthwork enclosure, 16-20m across, defined by a steep-sides, comparatively well preserved bank, showing a possible entrance on the east, showing indications of a ditch; traces of a rectangular structure, or building have been noted within. Set about 16m north-east of a second earthwork enclosure (Nprn402163). (Coflein)
Comments

In village, next to site of Chapel and a 'Court Farm' in what superficial looks just like a typical manorial centre. Clearly not a timber castle but may well have had medieval use as a manor house. Alternatively the chapel was deliberately sited near a prehistoric enclosure of some significance and the village then grew up around the chapel.
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Sources of information, references and further reading
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This record last updated before 1 February 2016


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