Knighton Castles

Knighton is a town in eastern Powys, Wales, on the border with England, about 18 miles west of Ludlow. There were two motte and bailey castles in the town and there is still some confusion about which is referred to in documents as “Knighton castle” at different times.

Castle 1 is to the west of the centre of the town (at SO 284723). It is in an elevated position and is thought to be the earlier of the two castles. The site has been seriously encroached upon by later building, the motte and bailey now, seemingly, being occupied by the back gardens of the surrounding houses. On the north side the motte has been cut into, and a high wall built directly behind the houses, to retain the earth (see image).

Castle 2 is called Bryn y Castell and is to the east of the town centre (at SO 290721). The motte here is much more accessible, being adjacent to extensive playing fields and public paths. Now covered in mature trees, the top of the motte has a diameter of about 40 m. It sits high above the river Teme and has a ditch all round, except on the north side where the ground falls away steeply. There is now no clue as to extent of the bailey, because of the work done to convert the area into an attractive public amenity.

Knighton lies in Maelienydd, an area continually fought over for centuries, so the history of Knighton castle is difficult to piece together from available records. There is a reference to the castle in a pipe roll in 1182 and William de Braose (d1230) is recorded as building at the castle in 1193. In 1207 King John gave Knighton temporarily to Roger Mortimer (d1214) but, for the first part of the 13th century, Maelienydd was largely in the hands of the Welsh prince, Llewelyn ab Iorwerth (d1240). In 1230 Llewelyn married his daughter, Gwladus Ddu, to Ralph Mortimer (d1246) and her dowry included Knighton castle. Although the Mortimers consequently held Knighton, they did not regain control of Maelienydd until after Llewelyn’s death. More problems arrived with the rise to power of his grandson, Llewelyn ap Gruffudd (d1282). In 1262 he captured Knighton and destroyed the castle. It may be that this was Castle 1. Bryn y Castell was certainly in existence in 1402 as it was captured and demolished by Owain Glyn Dwr, as was much of the town.

The position of the castles: Castle 1 (blue arrow) and Bryn y Castell (red arrow)