Candleston Castle
| Candleston Castle | ||
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Grid reference grid reference SS871772 | | |
| Site history | ||
| Materials | Stone | |
Candleston Castle (historically sometimes Candlestone Castle) is a 14th-century
Geography
The ruins of Candleston, which had been part of a medieval settlement, stand on the
History
12th – 14th centuries
In the 12th century, Candleston manor passed to the St Quintin lords of Talyfan and Llanbleddian; The Cantilupe family are considered Candleston's first tenants.[2] Although there are no records to show that the de Cantilupes were at the site in the 12th century, it is believed that the name Candleston is derived from their name, variously spelled Cantulupo, Cantilupo, Cantelo. In 1596 it was called Cantelowstowne and in 1635 Cantloston.[2][3] It was Tregantlow in Welsh, Tref or Tre meaning town.[2][4]
Candleston Castle, a fortified manor, was built in the 14th century. An enclosure, in the shape of a D, surrounded the structure.[5][6] The late-medieval manor may have been constructed on the site of a previous building, based upon the presence of remnants of an earlier wall.[2] The castle may have been built by Robert de Canteilupe III, who owned one ploughland at Candleston in 1320 according to the Despenser Survey of Glamorgan of that year.[7][nb 1] Robert III, who is not recorded after 1320, may have been succeeded by John de Cantilupe, who may have been the Abbot of Margam in 1315.[7][nb 2] Robert de Cantilupe III's daughter Joan, heiress of Candleston, married Sir William Horton of Tregwynt, Pembrokeshire.[7]
Sands from the dunes shifted starting in the late 14th century and encroached on nearby Kenfig Castle, resulting in its evacuation.[1] The Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales reported that Candleston's "elevated position was just sufficient to save it from the encroaching sand dunes on the northern fringe of the Merthyr Mawr Warren, which entirely surrounded the promontory and formed a relatively stable margin close to the southern wall of the castle."[2][nb 3]
15th – 19th centuries
Candleston passed through Joan Cantilupe Horton and Sir William Horton's son Jenkin, who may not have resided at Candleston, to Jenkin's daughter Jennet or Janet. The manor then went to the Cradocks when Janet married Richard Cradock about 1468.[7] Nicholas Horton briefly resided at Candleston and paid a small quit rent in 1411 for what is believed to be Candleston to the lord of Merthyr Mawr.[7]
Joan Robert, reported to be the daughter of Margaret Cantilupe, married John Eyre. In 1412 and 1429, Eyre is recorded as Candleston's landholder. Janet Horton and Richard Cradock received Candleston, possibly because the Eyres did not have children or due to the nature of their tenure.[7]
Janet and Richard Cradock's son, Sir Mathew Cradock (about 1468–1531) inherited the property. During his career, he was steward of Gower, Chancellor of Glamorgan and constable for life of the Kenfig and Caerphilly castles. In the late 15th century the manor was refurbished and modified; It is believed that Mathew Cradock was responsible for the construction. His only child, Margaret, was heiress of the manor.
George Herbert of Swansea inherited Candleston from Margaret and Sir Richard Herbert. Mathew Herbert, George's son then held Candleston. Brothers, grandsons of Sir George Herbert, had the manor next. First, Sir William Herbert had the manor in 1598, then Sir John Herbert inherited the manor after his brother's death in 1609. Sir John died in 1617 and Mary, his daughter and heiress, married Sir William Doddington.[7]
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In the early 19th century modifications included construction of a stable, the castle was
20th – 21st centuries
In the 21st century, the castle is an "ivy covered ruin".[6] Wildfowl, butterflies, moths, autumn gentian, violets and orchids are seen in the area.[6] The area around the castle is woodland and farm land.[5] The nearby Merthyr Mawr dunes are among northwestern Europe's "highest and most voluminous" sand dunes,[9] and it is the "second highest mobile sand dune system in Europe."[10] The dunes west of Candleston Castle are more than 80 metres (260 ft) above sea level and are now fairly stabilised.[1][6]
See also
- Castles in Great Britain and Ireland
- List of castles in Wales
- List of Scheduled Monuments in Bridgend
Notes
- ^ An alternative builder of the castle may have been Nicholas de Cantilupe, who was a sub-baliff in 1366 for the county of Glamorgan and who "appears to" have died without having fathered children.[7]
- ^ The source states that it is "uncertain whether he can be identified with the John de Cantilupe who was Abbot of Margam in 1325."[7]
- ^ Since then it is likely the dunes experienced "a complex history of sand blowing, stabilization and re-mobilization."[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e K. Pye and S.J. Blott (November 2011). "Merthyr Mawr Warren Potential for Dune Reactivation (searched on Castleton Castle)". CCW Contract Science Report No: 978 for Countryside Council for Wales. pp. 12–13. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-871184-22-8. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ South Wales & Monmouth Record Society Pub. 1, 1932, p. 173
- ^ W. Evans (1771). New English-Welsh Dictionary – Tref. Carmarthen.
- ^ a b c d "Merthyr Mawr, Kenfig and Margam Burrows – 014 Candleston". Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-85284-664-0. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-871184-22-8. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-871184-22-8. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ISBN 978-0-08-087061-8. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
- ISBN 978-1-4200-2342-8. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
