Builth: Castle
The motte-and-bailey castle at Caer Beris (below) was probably the first castle built in the area after the conquest of Buellt. by the Norman forces under the Braoses at the end of the 11th century. Builth Castle was begun in 1208 by the sheriff of Gloucester but his forces were driven off by the Welsh of Buellt and he had to return in 1210 to complete the castle. It then came into the hands of the Braose family and it was attacked by Llywelyn in 1223. It was handed over to Llywelyn Fawr in 1229 as part of a settlement and reduced soon after. After Llywelyn’s death the castle was re-built by John Monmouth but besieged repeatedly between 1256 and 1260 when it was taken and again destroyed.The castle was in a commanding and prominent site controlling the crossing over the river Wye. It was surrounded by a deep water-filled moat. Within this were a motte and 2 baileys. Much of the masonry from the castle has been removed over the years to be used in buildings in the town, and other walls have collapsed and been grassed over so that the site is a prominent grassy mound today.
To see a modern aerial photograph of the site from the Gathering The Jewels website click here.
[B; Remfry]
To see a modern aerial photograph of the site from the Gathering The Jewels website click here.
[B; Remfry]
Builth: Caer Beris Manor
The name probably refers to a 12th century motte-and-bailey on a terrace of the Irfon. This was probably the first castle in Buellt built by invading Anglo-Norman forces. On the bailey was built a large neo-Jacobean timber framed house between 1896 and 1911 designed by Harcourt Wood. This was later the home of Lord Swansea. It later became a hotel.
[Publicity advert on Enquiry file 21/4B; Haslam]
[Publicity advert on Enquiry file 21/4B; Haslam]
Builth: The Spa waters
The Park Wells mineral springs, situated about a mile from the town, are reached by a walk along the banks of the Wye to the junction of the Irfon, which is crossed by a swing bridge. These springs possess renovating properties; though placed at distances of not a yard apart they differ entirely in quality, being either saline, sulphur or chalybeate; over the springs are 1st and 2nd class pump rooms, with conveniently arranged sulphur baths and saline baths. Shower and vapour baths can also be taken, and near the baths is a good boarding house with extensive grounds from which magnificent views are obtained.
Glanne Wells sulphur and chalybeate springs and baths are about three-quarters of a mile west from the town, and have adjoining a convenient residential house for visitors.
(Click here for more on taking the waters at Builth)
[Kelly's Directory South Wales 1891, 1895, & 1906]
Glanne Wells sulphur and chalybeate springs and baths are about three-quarters of a mile west from the town, and have adjoining a convenient residential house for visitors.
(Click here for more on taking the waters at Builth)
[Kelly's Directory South Wales 1891, 1895, & 1906]
Burgh, Hubert de (d.1243)
An able servant and justiciar of the Angevin kings. In 1201 he was granted the Three Castles of Whitecastle, Skenfrith and Grosmont, but in 1205 they were transferred to William de Braose. After the fall of Braose, however, Hubert was able to reassert his own claims.
He particularly extended his influence during the early years of Henry III. In 1223 he was responsible for building the new castle at Montgomery; in 1227 he gained Archenfield; in 1229 Carmarthen and Cardigan; in 1230 he was given custody of the lands and person of the earl of Gloucester, who was a minor; and in 1231 he gained custody of the Braose lands in Wales. He was also responsible for the disastrous "Ceri campaign" of 1228, when he tried to annexe Ceri to the castle of Montgomery without success.
But he was overthrown in the first major constitutional crisis of Henry III's reign in 1232: he was regarded as something of an interloper, and his failures to keep order did not impress the king (nor did his failure to support the Breton expedition of October 1229). His downfall came in summer of 1232, over unrest in the north of England over papal nominees appointed to English benefices. Hubert was implicated in this, although it was really just a pretext engineered by Peter des Roches. In any case, after a trial he was stripped of his public offices and honours, though allowed to keep his private estates. He died in 1243. [G.R.]
[R.R. Davies, Lloyd, Walker]
He particularly extended his influence during the early years of Henry III. In 1223 he was responsible for building the new castle at Montgomery; in 1227 he gained Archenfield; in 1229 Carmarthen and Cardigan; in 1230 he was given custody of the lands and person of the earl of Gloucester, who was a minor; and in 1231 he gained custody of the Braose lands in Wales. He was also responsible for the disastrous "Ceri campaign" of 1228, when he tried to annexe Ceri to the castle of Montgomery without success.
But he was overthrown in the first major constitutional crisis of Henry III's reign in 1232: he was regarded as something of an interloper, and his failures to keep order did not impress the king (nor did his failure to support the Breton expedition of October 1229). His downfall came in summer of 1232, over unrest in the north of England over papal nominees appointed to English benefices. Hubert was implicated in this, although it was really just a pretext engineered by Peter des Roches. In any case, after a trial he was stripped of his public offices and honours, though allowed to keep his private estates. He died in 1243. [G.R.]
[R.R. Davies, Lloyd, Walker]