Twyn y Garth
This site at Grid Reference SO.107.437 was thought to have been a hill-fort, until in 1967 its similarity to a castle ringwork was recognised. The climb up Twyn y Garth accords wonderful views across the Wye valley as well as of the surrounding amphitheatre of mountains. The castle lies with the cantref of Elfael on the opposite side of the River Wye to Cantref Selyf.
The
main defences of the castle proper were undoubtedly the slightly
squashed oval
ringwork set on the highest point of the hill. The entrance to the
ringwork was
apparently gained by a causeway through the ditch and a corresponding
break in
the rampart beyond. The 6' deep ditch appears to be virtually at
its
original depth. Beyond the ditch is a slight counterscarp which
protects the
gently sloping interior platform. To the south lies a rectangular
annexe or
bailey that covers the southern base of the hill. This bailey that
would have
effectively doubled the internal area of the ringwork. Its defences are
now only
marked by a low 1' high rampart with the slightest trace of an
accompanying and never substantial ditch. The large amounts of stone
found in
this slight bank may suggest that it once was a low wall or breastwork,
although
the flimsy nature of the entire site may suggest that the fortification
was
never completed and that this bailey was merely marked out on the hill
top in a
one to one scale ground plan.
Order Four Castles of the River Wye through the PayPal basket below.
The Castles and History of Radnorshire (ISBN 1-899376-82-8) takes a further look at the history of Twyn y Garth. The book consists of 309 pages of A4 and examines in greater detail the history and castles of Radnorshire and Rhwng Gwy a Hafren. Starting in the early eleventh century the book covers the age of the castles up to the Civil War of 1642-46. Each castle description is buttressed by numerous photographs and plans of the earthworks and remains where they survive. A new look is also taken at the battlefield of Pilleth and the evidence for the course of the battle is scrutinised. The book also contains genealogical family trees of the major historical Radnorshire families and a full index.
Available for £39.95.