Published
Booklets
on Breconshire Castles
Hay
on Wye Castle, 1066 to 1298
(ISBN 1-899376-07-0) [1995] opens up new possibilities for the
early foundation of this castle and the Fitz Osbern penetration
of South-East Wales in the summer of 1070 when he defeated three Welsh
kings. The history is then continued through the lordship of
the Neufmarché, which was confirmed at the battle of
Brecon,
and also the Gloucester family until 1165 when the district
passed into the hands of the Braoses. The very early origins of
the castle are examined and compared with that of the little known
motte by the church, which has always wrongly been ascribed as
the first castle of Hay on Wye. In 1230 the castle passed to the
Bohuns and the local history, including the battle near Hay in
1231, is continued through the Mortimer wars of the 1260's and
the battle at Brecon
down to the death of Earl Humphrey Bohun
in 1298.
The powerful castle remains
are examined
in full and the construction dates of the various parts of the
castle are deduced. Available for £9.95.
For more
details on the castle and history follow this
link.
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basket below.
Four
Castles
of the Middle Reaches of the River Wye, 1066 to 1282
(ISBN 1-899376-13-5) [1995] examines the castle sites along the
River Wye from just west of
Hay on Wye northwards to
Builth Wells.
The sparse and sketchy history of the land is first explored,
before the four castle sites of Crickadarn, Waun Gunllwch, Llyswen
and Twyn y Garth, are examined in detail. Finally a conclusion
is reached which suggests that two of these castles may date from
the time of the Braose war of 1208-10 and the
battles at Aberduhonw
and Builth Wells.
Available for £4.95.
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Castell
Bwlch y Dinas and the families of Neufmarché, Hereford,
Braose, Fitz Herbert Mortimer and Talbot
(ISBN 1-899376-79-8) [2007]
New
Series!
This book, with index, examines the
setting, site
and history of the castle and hill fort set high in a key pass through
the Black Mountains. The book begins with a survey of the
history of the lordship of Brycheiniog from the days of
Brychan in
the fifth century up to the Norman Invasion of England in 1066.
The history of the lordship over the next hundred years
suggests
that the castle was built before 1093, and probably in the early days
of the Norman conquest around 1070. The castle was probably
first
mentioned in 1217, although its existence is implied from an early
date. Much fighting took place around the castle in the
thirteenth century and the fortress was sacked on at least one
occasion. In the fourteenth century the castle became
increasingly a backwater until destroyed by Owain Glyndwr in the early
fifteenth century. The current remains are examined in detail
with the aid of a fourteenth century description of the castle.
Available for £19.95.
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