Ewyas Harold Castle: Pentecost Castle: Castell un Ewias

• Mapharalt, Herefordshire.
• Scheduled Monument.

Motte and bailey castle built on a spur. There are no signs of a ditch on the bailey side. The motte measuring 68.5 m in diameter and standing 21 m high and is separated from the bailey by a ditch.

St Nicholas Chapel was in the bailey.

Visited by Richard Symonds and Charles I and found to be in ruins.

Strengthened and refortified during the uprising of Owain Glyndwr.

1048                            c: Built.

1051-1052                   The castle surrendered.

1052                            Mentioned in the Anglo Saxon Chronicles. Some Lords retreated to the castle. They all fled apart from Osbern who surrendered the castle to Earl Leofric. It was dismantled and the lands given to Osbern’s nephew.

1066                            c: Built by Osbern Pentecost.

1067-1071                   c; Occupied and refortified by William Fitz Osbern.

1071                            Defended by William Fitz Osbern. Shell stone keep built and twin towered gatehouse.

1086                            Before: Lands held by Alfred of Marlborough. When he died it was shared between Harold of Ewyas and Bernard de Neufmarche.

1086                            Domesday: Held by Alfred of Marlborough. Referred to as Castell un Ewias and strengthened by William Fitz Osbern as a motte castle.

1100                            Harold founded a priory within the bailey.

12 C                            c: Stone shell enclosure built on the motte.

13 C                            Dating from: Tower remains. Sybilia de Ewyas inherited the castle and married Robert de Tregoz.

1300                            John de Tregoz died and the lands were divided. It passed in dowry to Roger de la Warre.

1300                            After: When Roger de la Warre died the King too the castle and granted it to Sir Philip de la Vache.

1309                            Sir Philip de la Vache was made a Knight of the Garter.

14 C                            Decaying.

1403                            Custody of the castle was given to Sir William Beauchamp, Lord of Abergavenney, and he was to fortify it.

1538                            Itinerary of John Leland: Ruined.

1645                            Reported as no longer standing. King Charles passed through the area.

1868                            Partially rebuilt.

1982                            Watching Brief.

1999                            Watching Brief.

20 C                            Mound remains.

2000                            18^th September: Scheduled.