Knucklas borough enclosure

Has been described as a Possible Urban Defence

There are earthwork remains

NameKnucklas borough enclosure
Alternative Names
Historic CountryRadnorshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityBeguildy

Hill top shared with castle fortified as possible small borough enclosure founded by Roger Mortimer in the 1240's.

Knucklas was constituted a borough in 1246. Settlement here was limited and focused on the important castle which was constructed by the Mortimer family in the 1240s (nprn: 306398). The castle was captured by the Welsh in 1262 and both it and the settlement fell into decline. It is possible that a few burgesses remained during the later middle ages (Soulsby, p. 156–7)

Gatehouse Comments

This supposition that the initial burgus shared Knucklas Castle bailey is open to considerable question, but the few inhabitant had burgal privileges in the C17. There is no evidence to suggest the building platforms in the bailey are 'urban' rather than just normal castle buildings. It is also possible the town started from the first where the modern village lies, on the southern base of Castle Hill. The water supply on the hill top must have been difficult particularly for the needs of the domestic animals that where a mainstay of medieval life.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSO250745
Latitude52.3634796142578
Longitude-3.10203003883362
Eastings325000
Northings274500
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Remfry, P., 2008, The Castles and History of Radnorshire (SCS Publishing)
  • Creighton, O.H. and Higham, R.A., 2005, Medieval Town Walls (Stroud: Tempus) p. 82, 273
  • Remfry, P., 1996, Castles of Radnorshire (Logaston Press)
  • Soulsby, Ian, 1983, The Towns of Medieval Wales (Phillimore; Chichester) p. 156-7
  • (see castle for full bibliography)

Journals

  • Creighton, Oliver, 2006, ''Castles of Communities': Medieval Town Defences in England; Wales and Gascony' Château Gaillard Vol. 22 p. 75-86