Castell y Fran, Bletherston

Has been described as a Rejected Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameCastell y Fran, Bletherston
Alternative Names
Historic CountryPembrokeshire
Modern AuthorityPembrokeshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityNew Moat

A mound, once thought to be ditched, 21m in diameter and 2.5m high, has been rejected as a motte and is thought unlikely to be a sepulcral mound: classified rather as a mill-mound. (Coflein)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. Castell-y-Fran measures 25ft in diameter across the top and stands to a height of 15ft. It is lightly concave and appears to have one had a trench cut across it. There is very slight sign of a ditch. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Recorded in the RCAHMW Inventory as a 'castle mount without enclosure'. King writes "plainly a large barrow" and rejects this as a castle as does Davis.

- 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 ReferenceSN080221
Latitude51.8650817871094
Longitude-4.78905010223389
Eastings208070
Northings222180
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Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 257 (listed as rejected)
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 45 (reject)
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 86 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 400 (reject)
  • RCAHMW, 1925, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Pembrokeshire (HMSO) p. 19 no. 42 online copy
  • Laws, E. and Owen, H., 1908, Archaeological Survey of Pembrokeshire 1896-1907 (Tenby)

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1970, 'Castles in Wales and the Marches (Additions and corrections to lists published in 1963 and 1967)' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 119 p. 119-124 (reject)
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124