Tretower Court
Encyclopedia
Tretower Court is a medieval fortified manor house situated in the village of Tretower
, near Crickhowell
in modern day Powys
, previously within the historical county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire
.
site and is a very rare example of its type, in that it shows the way in which a castle
gradually developed into another significant type of medieval building, the fortified manor house or defended house http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/574229. It is also a rare survival, escaping destruction in wars or conflicts, partial damage or slighting
, for example during the English Civil War
, and total redevelopment over time.
or private bedchamber and a private living room. The hall probably served as a local court for paying fines and tithes.
The west range was also 14th century.
revolt in Wales
against the new King Henry IV
the building was under a very real threat from Welsh forces. Tretower Castle
was listed as a defensible stronghold for the King in 1404 and under Sir James Berkeley successfully held off an attack. Presumably this was directed at Tretower Castle
and the Court escaped serious damage. The same year an English force led by Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick fought a Welsh army of Owain Glyndwr at the Battle of Mynydd Cwmdu nearby, almost capturing Glyndwr himself and capturing his banner or standard. The Welsh forces retreated down the valley of the River Usk
but laid an ambush for the pursuing English and engaged them in a skirmish below Craig-y-Dorth hill near Mitchel Troy
, where the large fields are still referred to as Upper and Lower Battlefield. The English army was chased to the walls of Monmouth
town. According to the Annals of Owain Glyn Dwr, "Here the more part of the English were slain and they were chased up to the town gate [of Monmouth]".
Ironically, less than a decade later the Court was the local meeting point from which the local contingent of Welsh archer
s left for service in France under King Henry V
and contributed to the English victory at Agincourt
.
by Sir William Herbert
, the Earl of Pembroke
and his half-brother. Sir William Herbert was the previous owner of the Court and Tretower Castle and the manor
. The property was to remain in the hands of successive generations of Vaughans for all of its heyday.
Sir Roger Vaughan was to become the richest Commoner in Wales at the height of his career and he immediately set about refurbishing and developing Tretower Court into one befitting a prosperous man and leaving us the building that broadly speaking we see today.
He modernised the north range http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/550257, inserting a floor above the hall, turning the block into a two storey building http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/574243. The lower storey seems to have served as storerooms, with a kitchen at its west end http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/550255. He also added a new west range, immediately doubling the accommodation available, building a brand new hall, solar and upper rooms http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/574240.
Sir Roger Vaughan was on the Yorkist side in the Wars of the Roses
in the mid 15th century, fighting at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross
in 1461, and leading Owain Tudor to his execution at Hereford
following the battle. He quelled a rising in Carmarthenshire
in 1465 and was soon after knighted. In 1471 he pursued Jasper Tudor following the Battle of Tewkesbury
but Tudor captured him instead and he was beheaded at Chepstow Castle
.
Sir Roger Vaughan's son and heir, Sir Thomas Vaughan, continued to develop the Court further during the last quarter of the 15th Century with the addition of the battlemented wall, wall walks and gatehouse http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/574237, thus enclosing the courtyard.
Subsequent improvements were added in 1630 under Charles Vaughan, a sheriff of Brecknock in 1622 and 1636, adding cellars, a new stair, and an alternative entrance.
The Court passed to his son Edward Vaughan but he died without issue, the estate passing to his sister, Charles' daughter, Margaret of Maes-y-Gwartha, married to a Thomas Morgan. The Court then passed through a few more generations without any further improvements, either to the fabric or the fortunes of the residents.
, Welsh Historic Monuments.
The Court is now open to the public and a guided audio tour is available, inclusive in the nominal entrance fee. Events and interpretive reenactments are often held at the Court in season.
Tretower
Tretower is a hamlet in the community of Llanfihangel Cwmdu with Bwlch and Cathedine in the southern part of the county of Powys in Wales. It lies on the A479 road within the Brecon Beacons National Park at the foot of the Black Mountains just off the Usk Valley...
, near Crickhowell
Crickhowell
Crickhowell is a small town in Powys, Mid Wales.-Location:The name Crickhowell is taken from that of the nearby Iron Age hill fort of Crug Hywel above the town, the Welsh language name being anglicised by map-makers and local English-speaking people...
in modern day Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, previously within the historical county of Breconshire or Brecknockshire
Brecknockshire
Brecknockshire , also known as the County of Brecknock, Breconshire, or the County of Brecon is one of thirteen historic counties of Wales, and a former administrative county.-Geography:...
.
Local & national importance
The Court evolved from the adjacent Tretower CastleTretower Castle
thumb|320px|right|Tretower CastleTretower castle is a castle in the village of Tretower in the county of Powys, Wales.-History:Tretower was founded as a motte and bailey castle. In the 12th century, a shell-keep was added to the motte. By c.1230 a tall cylindrical keep was added to the inside of...
site and is a very rare example of its type, in that it shows the way in which a castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
gradually developed into another significant type of medieval building, the fortified manor house or defended house http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/574229. It is also a rare survival, escaping destruction in wars or conflicts, partial damage or slighting
Slighting
A slighting is the deliberate destruction, partial or complete, of a fortification without opposition. During the English Civil War this was to render it unusable as a fort.-Middle Ages:...
, for example during the English Civil War
English Civil War
The English Civil War was a series of armed conflicts and political machinations between Parliamentarians and Royalists...
, and total redevelopment over time.
Construction
The initial construction of Tretower Court dates from the early years of the 14th century, when the castle site was also still in use. The earliest part of Tretower Court is the north range. The masonry of the walls, the internal fireplaces, the windows and the projecting latrine tower all indicate a date maybe as early as 1300. The 14th century building consisted of a central ground floor hall open to its high roof, a solarSolar (room)
The solar was a room in many English and French medieval manor houses, great houses and castles, generally situated on an upper storey, designed as the family's private living and sleeping quarters...
or private bedchamber and a private living room. The hall probably served as a local court for paying fines and tithes.
The west range was also 14th century.
Owain Glyndwr
In the early 15th century during the Owain GlyndwrOwain Glyndwr
Owain Glyndŵr , or Owain Glyn Dŵr, anglicised by William Shakespeare as Owen Glendower , was a Welsh ruler and the last native Welshman to hold the title Prince of Wales...
revolt in Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
against the new King Henry IV
Henry IV of England
Henry IV was King of England and Lord of Ireland . He was the ninth King of England of the House of Plantagenet and also asserted his grandfather's claim to the title King of France. He was born at Bolingbroke Castle in Lincolnshire, hence his other name, Henry Bolingbroke...
the building was under a very real threat from Welsh forces. Tretower Castle
Tretower Castle
thumb|320px|right|Tretower CastleTretower castle is a castle in the village of Tretower in the county of Powys, Wales.-History:Tretower was founded as a motte and bailey castle. In the 12th century, a shell-keep was added to the motte. By c.1230 a tall cylindrical keep was added to the inside of...
was listed as a defensible stronghold for the King in 1404 and under Sir James Berkeley successfully held off an attack. Presumably this was directed at Tretower Castle
Tretower Castle
thumb|320px|right|Tretower CastleTretower castle is a castle in the village of Tretower in the county of Powys, Wales.-History:Tretower was founded as a motte and bailey castle. In the 12th century, a shell-keep was added to the motte. By c.1230 a tall cylindrical keep was added to the inside of...
and the Court escaped serious damage. The same year an English force led by Richard Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick fought a Welsh army of Owain Glyndwr at the Battle of Mynydd Cwmdu nearby, almost capturing Glyndwr himself and capturing his banner or standard. The Welsh forces retreated down the valley of the River Usk
River Usk
The River Usk rises on the northern slopes of the Black Mountain of mid-Wales, in the easternmost part of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Initially it flows north into Usk Reservoir, then east by Sennybridge to Brecon before turning southeast to flow by Talybont-on-Usk, Crickhowell and...
but laid an ambush for the pursuing English and engaged them in a skirmish below Craig-y-Dorth hill near Mitchel Troy
Mitchel Troy
Mitchel Troy is a village in Monmouthshire, south east Wales, in the United Kingdom. It is located 3 miles south west of the county town of Monmouth, just off the A40 road leading towards Raglan.- History and amenities :...
, where the large fields are still referred to as Upper and Lower Battlefield. The English army was chased to the walls of Monmouth
Monmouth
Monmouth is a town in southeast Wales and traditional county town of the historic county of Monmouthshire. It is situated close to the border with England, where the River Monnow meets the River Wye with bridges over both....
town. According to the Annals of Owain Glyn Dwr, "Here the more part of the English were slain and they were chased up to the town gate [of Monmouth]".
Ironically, less than a decade later the Court was the local meeting point from which the local contingent of Welsh archer
Archery
Archery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
s left for service in France under King Henry V
Henry V of England
Henry V was King of England from 1413 until his death at the age of 35 in 1422. He was the second monarch belonging to the House of Lancaster....
and contributed to the English victory at Agincourt
Battle of Agincourt
The Battle of Agincourt was a major English victory against a numerically superior French army in the Hundred Years' War. The battle occurred on Friday, 25 October 1415 , near modern-day Azincourt, in northern France...
.
Development under the Vaughan family
About 1450 the property was given to Sir Roger VaughanSir Roger Vaughan
Sir Roger Vaughan of Tretower Court, was the son of Welsh noblewoman Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam and Sir Roger Vaughan of Bredwardine, who fought and died with Gwladys' father, Dafydd Gam in the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.-Marriages:...
by Sir William Herbert
William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1423-1469)
William Herbert, 1st Earl of Pembroke KG , known as "Black William", was the son of William ap Thomas founder of Raglan Castle and Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam, and grandson of Dafydd Gam, an adherent of King Henry V of England....
, the Earl of Pembroke
Earl of Pembroke
Earl of Pembroke is a title created ten times, all in the Peerage of England. It was first created in the 12th century by King Stephen of England. The title is associated with Pembroke, Pembrokeshire in West Wales, which is the site of Earldom's original seat Pembroke Castle...
and his half-brother. Sir William Herbert was the previous owner of the Court and Tretower Castle and the manor
Manor house
A manor house is a country house that historically formed the administrative centre of a manor, the lowest unit of territorial organisation in the feudal system in Europe. The term is applied to country houses that belonged to the gentry and other grand stately homes...
. The property was to remain in the hands of successive generations of Vaughans for all of its heyday.
Sir Roger Vaughan was to become the richest Commoner in Wales at the height of his career and he immediately set about refurbishing and developing Tretower Court into one befitting a prosperous man and leaving us the building that broadly speaking we see today.
He modernised the north range http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/550257, inserting a floor above the hall, turning the block into a two storey building http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/574243. The lower storey seems to have served as storerooms, with a kitchen at its west end http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/550255. He also added a new west range, immediately doubling the accommodation available, building a brand new hall, solar and upper rooms http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/574240.
Sir Roger Vaughan was on the Yorkist side in the Wars of the Roses
Wars of the Roses
The Wars of the Roses were a series of dynastic civil wars for the throne of England fought between supporters of two rival branches of the royal House of Plantagenet: the houses of Lancaster and York...
in the mid 15th century, fighting at the Battle of Mortimer's Cross
Battle of Mortimer's Cross
The Battle of Mortimer's Cross was fought on 2 February 1461 near Wigmore, Herefordshire . It was part of the Wars of the Roses....
in 1461, and leading Owain Tudor to his execution at Hereford
Hereford
Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, southwest of Worcester, and northwest of Gloucester...
following the battle. He quelled a rising in Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire
Carmarthenshire is a unitary authority in the south west of Wales and one of thirteen historic counties. It is the 3rd largest in Wales. Its three largest towns are Llanelli, Carmarthen and Ammanford...
in 1465 and was soon after knighted. In 1471 he pursued Jasper Tudor following the Battle of Tewkesbury
Battle of Tewkesbury
The Battle of Tewkesbury, which took place on 4 May 1471, was one of the decisive battles of the Wars of the Roses. The forces loyal to the House of Lancaster were completely defeated by those of the rival House of York under their monarch, King Edward IV...
but Tudor captured him instead and he was beheaded at Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle
Chepstow Castle , located in Chepstow, Monmouthshire in Wales, on top of cliffs overlooking the River Wye, is the oldest surviving post-Roman stone fortification in Britain...
.
Sir Roger Vaughan's son and heir, Sir Thomas Vaughan, continued to develop the Court further during the last quarter of the 15th Century with the addition of the battlemented wall, wall walks and gatehouse http://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/574237, thus enclosing the courtyard.
Subsequent improvements were added in 1630 under Charles Vaughan, a sheriff of Brecknock in 1622 and 1636, adding cellars, a new stair, and an alternative entrance.
The Court passed to his son Edward Vaughan but he died without issue, the estate passing to his sister, Charles' daughter, Margaret of Maes-y-Gwartha, married to a Thomas Morgan. The Court then passed through a few more generations without any further improvements, either to the fabric or the fortunes of the residents.
Decline & neglect
The property was sold in 1783 as the Vaughan family decided to take up occupancy at another of their properties following a marriage and Tretower Court passed out of Vaughan hands to a series of new tenants and over time some previously residential rooms were adapted as stores, barns and then even used by animals, part even becoming a piggery. The building was not maintained to the previous standards and by the early years of the 20th century the building was in danger of collapse, the roof in particular being vulnerable. What maintenance had taken place was piecemeal and concealed the origin, age and value of the medieval structure.Rescue & renovation
In 1929 the Brecknock Society made a successful appeal for the government to purchase the building. In the 1930s it was saved and restored for the nation, and is now in the care of CadwCadw
-Conservation and Protection:Many of Wales's great castles and other monuments, such as bishop's palaces, historic houses, and ruined abbeys, are now in Cadw's care. Cadw does not own them but is responsible for their upkeep and for making them accessible to the public...
, Welsh Historic Monuments.
The Court is now open to the public and a guided audio tour is available, inclusive in the nominal entrance fee. Events and interpretive reenactments are often held at the Court in season.
External links
- Tretower Court - official site at CadwCadw-Conservation and Protection:Many of Wales's great castles and other monuments, such as bishop's palaces, historic houses, and ruined abbeys, are now in Cadw's care. Cadw does not own them but is responsible for their upkeep and for making them accessible to the public...
- Description of Tretower Court