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Candleston Castle

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Candleston Castle
Merthyr Mawr, Wales
Candleston Castle, view from south of the 14th-century tower, to rear. Left the hall and domestic range, from the middle of which projects to left the 17th-century west wing. To right of the tower is the stable block, c. 1800.
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Coordinatesgrid reference SS871772
Site history
MaterialsStone

Candleston Castle is a 14th-century fortified manor house, in ruins since the 19th century. It is .75 miles (1.21 km) southwest of Merthyr Mawr, former Glamorgan, Wales, and just .75 miles (1.21 km) northwest of Ogmore Castle, separated by the River Ogmore. Candleston's original long and narrow rectangular structure lay across the western end of a low narrow promontory, suggesting a defensive position. The castle is named after the Norman family of Cantilupe, its first feudal tenants.

Geography

The ruins of Candleston and a windmill built in the 15th century, which had been part of a medieval settlement, stand on the Merthyr Mawr Sand Dunes,[1] on the edge of the Merthyr Mawr Warren.[2] The area around Candleston is woodland and farm land.[3]

Merthyr Mawr dunes are among northwestern Europe's "highest and most voluminous" sand dunes,[4] and it is the "second highest mobile sand dune system in Europe."[5] The dunes are east of Porthcawl off of Swansea Bay. 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]

Since then it is likely the dunes experienced "a complex history of sand blowing, stabilization and re-mobilization."[1] The dunes west of Candleston Castle and above Ordnance Datum are more than 80 metres (260 ft) high and are now fairly stabilized.[1][6]

History of the manor

In the 12th century, Candleston was a mesne manor within the fee of Merthyr Mawr, which was acquired by the St. Quintin lords of Llanbleddian and Talyfan but it is unclear when they sub-enfeoffed Candleston.[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 de Cantilupe family were the original tenants and 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][7] It was Tregantlow in Welsh, Tref or Tre meaning town.[2][8]

Candleston Castle and an enclosure, in the shape of a D, surrounded the 14th century building,[3] which was really a fortified manor.[6] It had a four-centred, local green sandstone ogee arch, pointed and chamfered arch tower, parapet corbelling of the roofs, and an "impressive perpendicular chimneypiece".[3] It "displays only late-medieval fabric". Based upon the presence of a trace of a courtyard wall, it is believed to have been built upon the site of an earlier castle-ringwork.[2] About 1500 the Hall range was remodeled partially. In the early 19th century the alternations included a stable and the castle was crenellated[3] for ornamental purposes. The tower was refurbished and an addition of the "salient tower" was "probably inspired by the need to protect the gateway." The stepped base of a Calvary Cross, of unreported date, with the fallen cross itself lying alongside, was found near the windmill uncovered by sand in 1823. The buildings foundations were also seen nearby.[9]

It was occupied until the 19th century. It is now an "ivy covered ruin".[6]

Descent of the manor

Cantilupe of Glamorgan

The castle

The Despenser Survey of Glamorgan in 1320 is the first concrete record the Cantilupe family at Candleston, where Robert III de Cantilupe held one ploughland.[10] Yet the family had clearly long been established in the location. The Cantilupe's were contemporaries of the Norman Robert FitzHamon(died 1107), Lord of Gloucester who with his legendary 12 knights conquered Glamorgan under William II.[11] The family however never seems to have held land in capite from the Lords of Glamorgan. William I de Cantilupe was mentioned in 1128 having possessed by force land in Llandaff (near Cardiff) diocese, which he returned before 1128. Elias de Cantilupe attested deeds 1140-48 and married Maud, daughter of William de Londres of Ogmore (died 1126). His descendants witnessed several de Londres grants to Margam Abbey and Ewenny Priory. Robert I, son of Elias, attested deeds 1140-48 and 1149-1183. Richard de Cantilupe, a contemporary of Maurice de Londres, son of William de Londres, made a grant of land to Ewenny 1140-48. A Mabel de Cantilupe married William de Londres, possibly son of Maurice de Londres, 12th century. Ralph de Cantilupe in the late 12th century attested several de Londres grants to Margam. William II de Cantilupe attests late 12th century and 1st quarter of 13th century.[12] William III de Cantilupe attested a Turberville grant to Ewenny Priory, 1210–19, and witnessed confirmations made to Margam Abbey by Earl Geoffrey and Countess Isabel in 1214-16.[13] After 1223 William III attested a confirmation to Ewenny Priory by William de Londres.[14] He last appears in 1245 at the county court at Stalling Down in the suit of Richard Siward and de Clare. He was clearly an important man.[15] Robert II de Cantilupe also figured at the proceedings against Siward, as one of six "worthy and law-abiding" men representing Earl Richard's charges. He is recorded as a juror at the county court in 1247 and 1249.[16] Robert II also attests several deeds 1234-49 and in 1258, a deed of Turberville exchanging land with Margam.[17] It is probable that Candleston had been acquired by the time of Robert II, given the status he had obtained, yet confirmation should not be expected from the Extent of Glamorgan taken in 1262, which listed only manors held in capite, not sub-manors like Candleston. Robert III de Cantilupe (fl. 1299-1320) attested charters to Ewenny in 1303, 1304 and 1308,[18] and served in 1316 as seneshal to Payn de Turberville Lord of Coity.[19] Robert III, who is not recorded after 1320, may have been the builder of the primary fortified manor and may have been succeeded by John de Cantilupe, who attested a Merthyr Mawr charter in 1328. It is possible the latter was the John de Cantilupe described as Abbot of Margam in 1325, no longer Abbot in 1338.[20] An alternative builder of the Castle is David de Cantilupe who attests in 1351 with Nicholas de Cantilupe, David signing first, possibly implying him to be an elder brother. Nicholas de Cantilupe served in 1333 on a jury at the county court in a case concerning rights of shipwreck claimed by Roger de Berkerolles, then his overlord,[21] attested in 1351 a Lovel family deed at Newton Nottage and is last recorded in 1366 serving as sub-bailiff for the Co. of Glamorgan.[22] Nicholas appears to have died without issue, although David had a daughter Margaret who married Thomas le Eyre of Brychanswell. Their daughter Joan married Sir Gilbert Denys, uncle of Sir Gilbert Denys of Waterton, Glamorgan and later of Siston Court, Gloucestershire.

Heiresses of Hopkin ap Howel Ychan of Tythegstone

Lewis Nicholl, whose family owned Candleston in the 20th century, researched the descent of the manor in his book The Normans in Glamorgan. He mentions the nine daughters of Hopkin,[23] who all married within Glamorgan, as being joint heiresses of the Cantilupe's of Candleston. It appears Hopkin's father Howel had married a daughter and heiress of "Sir William Cantilupe". Six of these daughters are as follows:
1) Katherine, married Llewelyn Ychan, 2nd son of Llewellyn ap Cynfrig, Lord of Miscin.
2) Maud, married Wilcock Turberville, 2nd son of Sir Richard Turberville, Lord of Coity.[24]
3) Gladys, married Robert le Regni, son of Sir Roger, Lord of Brocastle.
4) Wenllian, married John Lovel.
5) Joan, married John Denys of Waterton, Glamorgan, father of Sir Gilbert Denys(died 1422) of Siston Court, Glos.
6) Elizabeth, married Reginald de Somerton (who married again a Loretta)
Nicholl states that The Denys family at one time held a share of Candleston, whether via Joan le Eyre or Joan daughter of Hopkin is uncertain. As mentioned above, the Denys family arms, which it retained until 1701, were the arms of Cantilupe (3 leopards' faces jessant-de-lys) differenced with a bend over-all. It appears these arms were granted in the 13th century by the Cantilupe family as "Arms of Patronage" to the Denys's, who were probably their feudal tenants or officers, therefore connected to the manor of Candleston. A Charter of 1258 (Clark's Cartae DXCIV) concerning an exchange of land between Gilbert de Turberville and Margam Abbey was witnessed by 5 people including Roberto de Cantulupo (II) and Willelmo le Deneys.

Horton and Eyre

Following this somewhat confusing and seemingly temporary tenancy, Sir William Horton succeeded to Candleston as husband of Joan de Cantilupe, apparently daughter, and heiress of Robert III. Horton was from Tregwynt, Pembroke, and pedigrees indicate that his son Jenkin was succeeded by a daughter, Janet or Jennet, whomarried Richard Cradock (or Caradoc).[25] Jenkin Horton may never have occupied Candleston, though it reverted to Richard Cradock. In 1411,[26] a Nicholas Horton paid a small quit rent to the lord of Merthyr Mawr for certain lands, not named, but evidently Candleston. Not otherwise recorded he was a cadet and his tenancy was brief. In 1412 John Eyre appears in a bailiff's account as the holder of these lands in right of his wife Joan, paying an almost identical rent for them. Further accounts and extents show that Eyre and his wife held 3 1/2 ploughlands until 1467-8. In 1429 John Eyre was returned as holding "his fee of Candleston".[27] In 1440 he sued Thomas de Cantilupe over unspecified lands in the county court.[28] John's wife is said to have been a daughter of a Margaret Cantilupe, but the form of their tenure or a childless marriage saw the reversion of Candleston to Janet Horton and her husband Richard Cradock. Richard Cradock probably married Janet Horton around 1468 as may be deduced from the fact that their son and heir Sir Mathew Cradock (died 1531) was born about then.[29] Sir Mathew played a leading role in the admin. of Glamorgan and Gower. In 1486 he was appt. constable for life of the castles of Caerphilly and Kenfig. He was steward of Gower in 1491 and 1497, his brass at Swansea describing him as Chancellor of Glamorgan. He was probably responsible for the extensive alterations and refurbishment at Candleston in the late 15th century. In 1531 he was survived by Margarte, his only child, who took Candleston in marriage to Sir Richard Herbert of Ewyas, Hereford.

Herbert and Doddington

The ruins

Sir Richard Herbert and Margaret were succeeded at Candleston by their 2nd son Sir George Herbert of Swansea, their eldest son William Herbert being created in 1551 1st Earl of Pembroke (2nd creation). In 1546 Sir George was returned as its lord, when it was termed a fee held by knight's service, an anachronistic form of tenure it had never enjoyed.[30] Candleston passed to Sir George's son, Mathew Herbert, and to his grandson, Sir William Herbert, in possession in 1598. The latter was succeeded in 1609 by his brother, Sir John, whose daughter Mary on his death in 1617 carried the manor to Sir William Doddington.

Greville, Franklen and Nicholl

Doddington's granddaughter carried it to Robert Greville, 4th Baron Brooke of Warwick. Greville died in 1676 and was succeeded by his brother whose great-grandson Francis Greville, 8th Baron Brooke was created Earl of warwick in 1759. Candleston was maintained during the 17th and 18th centuries (as minor works attest) but there is no structural or documentary evidence to suggest it was considered other than a periphery manor, rarely visited by its owners. It was sold by the Grevilles in the 18th century to the Franklen family who permitted Sir John Nicholl of Merthyr Mawr to reside there 1806-8 whilst awaiting completion of his new mansion. In 1830 Nicholl purchased Candleston from Richard Franklen, and in the early 19th century the castle was said to have a good dining room, drawing room and breakfast rooms, with 4 bedrooms, servants' rooms, walled garden and lawn, stable, coach house and other offices.[31] It served as a farmhouse until the late 19th century when it was finally abandoned.[32] It has remained part of the Merthyr Mawr Estate.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d 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. p. 12-13. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  2. ^ a b c d e f Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales (30 April 2000). An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. RCAHMW. p. 408. ISBN 978-1-871184-22-8. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  3. ^ a b c d "Merthyr Mawr, Kenfig and Margam Burrows - 014 Candleston". Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  4. ^ F. T. Banner (22 August 2011). Physical and Chemical Oceanography, and Physical Resources. Elsevier. p. 371. ISBN 978-0-08-087061-8. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  5. ^ Darius Bartlett; Jennifer Smith (27 August 2004). GIS for Coastal Zone Management. Taylor & Francis. p. 45. ISBN 978-1-4200-2342-8. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  6. ^ a b c Michael C. Dunn; Mike Dunn (26 July 2012). Walking in the South Wales Valleys. Cicerone Press Limited. p. 146. ISBN 978-1-85284-664-0. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  7. ^ South Wales & Monmouth Record Society Pub. 1, 1932, p. 173
  8. ^ W. Evans (1771). New English-Welsh Dictionary - Tref. Carmarthen.
  9. ^ Royal Commission on Ancient and Historical Monuments in Wales (30 April 2000). An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan. RCAHMW. p. 417. ISBN 978-1-871184-22-8. Retrieved 11 July 2013.
  10. ^ Clark, Cartae, vol 3, no.874, p.1033; Merrick, Morg.Arch.,p.75.
  11. ^ Nicholl,L. The Normans in Glamorgan.
  12. ^ Nicholl,L. The Normans in Glamorgan.
  13. ^ NLW Journal,III (1943-4),p.131; Patterson, Glouc Charters, nos.139-40,pp128-31, nos.148-9,pp.139-42.
  14. ^ NLW Journal III (1943-4) p.136, Margam Deed 2802.
  15. ^ Clark, Cartae, vol 2, no. 535, pp.549-53.
  16. ^ Clark, Cartae, vol.2, nos.533,537, pp.543,561.
  17. ^ Nicholls, L. The Normans in Glamorgan.
  18. ^ NLW Journal III (1943-44), p.133. Clark, Cartae, vol 3, no 844, p. 980 and no. 855, p.1008.
  19. ^ Robert III de Canteloupe was described in a 1316 deed of Payn de Turberville as "My seneschal". Nicholl, L. The Normans in Glamorgan.
  20. ^ Clark, Cartae, vol.3,no.927,pp.1135-6;no.934,pp.1145-5; Nicholl, L. The Normans in Glamorgan.
  21. ^ The judgement of the court is cited in John Stradling's 1598 "The Storie of the Lower Borowes of Merthyrmawr" ed. H.J.Randall & W.Rees, S.Wales & Monmouth Record Society Pubs. I (1932), 15, pp.48-9.
  22. ^ Clark, Cartae, vol.4, nos. 1004,1029 pp.1280,1318.
  23. ^ Hopkin may have come from Brecon or possibly descended from Griffith Gwyr or Gower poss. lords of Penrhos Castle
  24. ^ Burkes' Armorials, 1884: Turberville.
  25. ^ Randall & Rees, S. Wales & Monmouth Rec. Soc. Pub. 1 (1932),20-1 (no.9); Clark, Limbus Patrum, p.372; Lewis, Breviat,p.121,note 3.
  26. ^ Possibly following the death of Sir Lawrence de Berkerolles,(died 1411) which caused much reshuffling of local interests.
  27. ^ Randall & Rees op.cit., 22,120-1(no.9). Nicholl, Lewis. The Normans in Glamorgan.pp.123-4. Beauchamp Survey, Cardiff Lib. MS 3.464, f 126-7.
  28. ^ Cardiff Lib. Thomas Wilkins "Fragments of ye Antiquities of Glamorgan" (1657), MS B.464.
  29. ^ Dict. Welsh Biog.pp85-6.
  30. ^ Cardiff Library MS 3.464, ff 135-7.
  31. ^ Evans, Glam. Hist. & Top., p.215.
  32. ^ Rees & Randall, op.cit.., 23,34(no.9); Glamorgan Inventory, Vol 4, part 1 appendix 1, no 72; appendix 2, no.93.

Bibliography

  • Candleston, Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales, Vol 3, Part 1b, The Later Castles. pp. 408–417.
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