Penrhos Castle

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Penros; Penros Farm; Coed y mount

In the community of Llantilio Crossenny.
In the historic county of Monmouthshire (Modern authority of Monmouthshire, preserved county of Gwent).

Ditched motte, c.30m in diameter and 6.0m high, stands towards the S of an irregular oval enclosure, c.40m by 80m, defined by a ditch, with an internal bank on the NE and having a counterscarp except to the SE, in a commanding position about 3 miles north of Raglan Castle. Traces of bailey to the north. Administrative center of a sub-lordship of Abergavenny.Never re-built in stone. Documentary evidence suggests that it may have been built by John of Monmouth c. AD 1248 during a border dispute with William de Cantilupe. It appears to have a very short violent history, probably being dismantled in AD 1253

This site has been described as a;
Timber Castle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Earthworks remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SO40941321

Modern Map from

Good for landscape form and features

Modern Map from

Good for general location

Air Photo from

1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

National Monuments Record number; 306505

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 01543g

Web site links
- http://www.castlewales.com/penrhos.html
  http://www.castleuk.net/castle_lists_wales/161/penrhoscastle.htm
Books
- Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p146
  Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p74 [slight]
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p287
  Bradney, J.A., 1904-33, History of Monmouthshire Vol2 p85-6
Journal Articles
- Olding, F., 2000, 'Penrhos Castle' Gwent Local History Vol88 p3-16
  Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1967, 'Masonry castles in Wales and the Marches: a list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol116 p71-132
  Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol112 p77-124
  1909, Archaeologia Cambrensis [ser6] Vol9 p138
  Wakkeman, 1855, Archaeologia Cambrensis [ser3] Vol1 p14-15

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

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 indivduals and organisations.

It is an offence to disturb a Scheduled Ancient 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.

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This record last updated on Saturday, January 20, 2007

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