Castell Llanfair / Builth Castle
Quick Info
Region: Buellt
Built: 1180s*
In the Care of: N/A
Free Parking: Street Parking available in town
Wheelchair Accessible: No
Dogs Allowed: Yes
Admission: Free
Postcode: LD2 3EG
Opening Times
Always Open
Image courtesy of Coflein
“It is worth a trip to the top of the earthworks to see the town from a new angle and to imagine what the world would have looked like from there nearly one thousand years ago. ”
History
There has been a long history of fortifications on this site at Builth Wells, some evidence suggests that the castle was possibly constructed over an earlier Roman Fort. The early castle was a ‘motte and bailey castle, the most common form of Norman fortification, probably built by Phillip de Breos in about 1100. Phillip was a Norman baron and a major land owner, being the lord of both Radnor and Builth.
Builth at this time, constituted an independent lordship preserving the boundaries pf the Welsh Cartref of Buellt, an area especially troubled in Norman times. Four other castles existed in the lordship, namely, Llanganten, Trellys, Llanlleonfel and Llysdinam. Builth, because of its strategic position, it was the most important and this the major strong hold in the lordship. Built of earth and timber, it was one of the largest of its type in Wales.
The motte rises some 20 feet above its ditch and on its summit stood the tall timber-framed Lord’s Tower, surrounded by a palisade. In the bailey would have been the timber buildings necessary for retainers and animals, as well as workshops and perhaps a small chapel.
This is what Builth Wells & District Historical Society has to say about the castle;
“Initial accounts for a new stone castle commenced on May 1277. the clerk of the works was John Fitz Adam of Radnor, who received a wage of 12pence per day. The hall and chamber were placed on the motte and by mid-November a brewhouse and stabling had been added. One hundred and forty workers were on the payroll by 1278. Including a master mason and his deputy plus twelve other masons. The workforce included 23 women (one a Gwladus Talgard, Hod Carrier) who were paid less than their male colleagues”.
The castle was subject to a number of assaults and changes of ownership during several Welsh-norman disputes, necessitating frequent refortification. From 1230-40 it lay in the hands of Llewelyn ap Iorwerth and from 1260-76 with Llewelyn ap Gruffudd. During the Welsh Wars of 1277 and 1282-83 the castle then reverted to Edward I who in 1277 began to construct the castle in stone’ (CADW).
Construction of the stone castle began in 1277, it was a colossal structure comprising of ‘a great tower on the motte, encircled by a stone wall or chemise which itself had six towers on it’s line around the slope on the motte. A twin towered gatehouse on the south east side of the chemise formed the inner entrance to the castle. The bailey would have also been defended by a wall and the entrance may have stood on the North side’ (CADW).
What Can You See?
Although the castle remained in use well into the Tudor period, it wasn’t seen as worthy of maintenance and a catastrophic fire on the 20th of December 1690 destroyed most of the town. It is believed that much of the masonry from the castle was stolen to rebuild the town following this. There isn’t any stone work there now but the earthworks are still very prevalent, and you can walk on top of the castle, gaining access from a back alley in the town or over a style in castle street. It is worth a trip to the top of the earthworks to see the town from a new angle and to imagine what the world would have looked like from there nearly one thousand years ago. Did you know that the Castle earned an income by providing a ferry across the river?
Accessibility
This site is not very easy to get to as you will have to climb over a style and the earthworks themselves are steep and bumpy. Not suitable for people who are less mobile. Dogs are allowed (but be mindful that you may have to lift them over a style).
Sources
CADW
Builth Wells & District Heritage Society
