Pen-y-Clawdd Court

Pen-y-Clawdd Court
Location within Monmouthshire
General information
Architectural style Tudor
Location Llanvihangel Crucorney, Wales
Coordinates 51°52′29″N 3°00′07″W / 51.8748°N 3.0020°W / 51.8748; -3.0020Coordinates: 51°52′29″N 3°00′07″W / 51.8748°N 3.0020°W / 51.8748; -3.0020
Construction started c.1610
Completed c.1625
Technical details
Floor count 2

Pen-y-Clawdd Court is a Grade I listed country house in Llanvihangel Crucorney, Monmouthshire, Wales, situated 1 mile (1.6 km) to the southwest of the village off the A465 road. It is a Tudor manor house, which lies within the bailey of what was Penyclawdd Castle,[1] and is thought to date from circa 1625.[2]

History

The remains of an adjoining Norman motte and bailey castle known as Penyclawdd Castle are still discernible. Its history is not well documented, but it is thought to date from the late 11th century when Roger de Hastings was building castles in the area.[3] According to the Inquisito post mortem of 1349, conducted during the 22nd year of the reign of Edward III, the manor at the time was in the possession of Laurence Hastings, 1st Earl of Pembroke.[4]

The current house probably dates from the early 16th century, and began as a heavily timber-framed structure, but underwent major restructuring between about 1610 and 1625. A wing with a stair tower was added, though it is possible that the other kitchen wing was older and was simply refurbished at that time. It was subject to minor refurbishment in the 19th century.[1]

In the early 20th century it was described by Joseph Bradney as a "roomy mansion with the remains of walls enclosing gardens but the whole had become sadly neglected."[5]

On 5 June 1952 it became a Grade I listed building.[1] Further repair work was done between 1984 and 1997, mainly to the stonework and to replace the old oak windows.[1] It has since become a bed and breakfast hotel.[6]

The hilly area of Bryn Arw, to the west of the house, has been investigated by archaeologists. By 2000, some 183 flints, including 39 scrapers and 9 blades had been found on the site.[7]

Architecture

Pen-y-Clawdd Court, described by The Welsh Academy encyclopaedia of Wales as "a memorable manor house with splendid chimney stacks",[8] is built in an L-shaped plan[9] on the site of a medieval manor.[2] It comprises three main sections, with a rectangular entrance, a tall wing, known as the Stuart wing on the left, and a kitchen wing on the right. It is built from coursed red sandstone rubble, with a Welsh slate roof.[1] Near the road at the entrance of the estate is a red brick arch, dated to May 1861.[10]

The interior is a maze of rooms set at different levels with low ceilings and a wealth of architectural detail. It retains its 17th century ambience, though many changes were made during refurbishment between 1984 and 1997. The Dining Room is to the right and the Sitting Room to the left of the hall. Both feature beams across the ceiling, flagstone floors, and fireplaces with chamfered stone lintels. The Grand staircase, with oak steps, is situated in the Stuart wing. On the upper floor are bedrooms with chamfered ceiling beams. The largest room, the Court Room, features a compartmented ceiling with a moulded surround fireplace.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Good Stuff IT Services (5 June 1952). "Pen-y-Clawdd Court - Crucorney - Monmouthshire - Wales". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  2. 1 2 "Pen-Y-Clawdd Court, Gardens, Llanvihangel Crucorney | Site Details". Coflein. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  3. ↑ "Pen y Clawdd Castle". Castlewales.com. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  4. ↑ Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club (1916). Transactions of the Woolhope Naturalists' Field Club. Jakeman and Carver. p. 11.
  5. ↑ Sir Joseph Alfred Bradney (1907). The History of Monmouthshire from the Coming of the Normans Into Wales Down to the Present Time: pt. 1. The hundred of Skenfrith. Mitchell, Hughes and Clarke.
  6. ↑ Yates, Patricia (1 November 1996). Guide to Britain's Best Hotels. McGraw-Hill Trade. p. 593. ISBN 978-0-8442-4871-4.
  7. ↑ Olding, Frank (2000). The prehistoric landscapes of the eastern Black Mountains. Archaeopress. p. 88. ISBN 978-1-84171-057-0.
  8. ↑ Davies, John; Jenkins, Nigel; Baines, Menna (2008). The Welsh Academy encyclopaedia of Wales. University of Wales Press. p. 178. ISBN 978-0-7083-1953-6.
  9. ↑ "Penyclawdd Court, Llanfihangel Crucorney | Site Details". Coflein. Retrieved 30 March 2016.
  10. ↑ Newman, John (1 March 2000). Gwent/Monmouthshire. Yale University Press. p. 469. ISBN 978-0-300-09630-9.
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