East Orchard Castle
East Orchard Castle is a ruined building near St Athan in the Vale of Glamorgan, Wales, whose remains date mainly from the 14th century.[1]
| East Orchard Castle | |
|---|---|
Castell Berllan Dwyrain | |
| Part of St Athan | |
| Vale of Glamorgan in Wales | |
 East Orchard Castle Ruins | |
  East Orchard Castle | |
| Coordinates | 51.403°N 3.398°W |
| Type | Manor House |
| Area | Around 2 Acres |
| Site information | |
| Owner | Unknown |
| Condition | Ruined |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1399–1413 |
| Built by | the Berkerolles |
| In use | Open to public |
| Materials | Rock |
| Battles/wars | Marauders from the hills |
| Events | Destroyed by Llywelyn Bren (1316) Rebuilt (14th century) Dismantled (from 1756) |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | (previously) The Berkerolles |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
While it is called a castle it was not fortified in the style of one and is officially classed as post-medieval and broadly defined as a domestic, manor house dwelling.[2] The historic site in its entirety contains a manor house, a barn, a chapel and a dovecote.[2][1][3] It was destroyed by Llywelyn Bren,[4] probably during the revolt of 1316.
The Orchards were built by the Berkerolles family, who received the land from Robert Fitzhammon after the conquest of Glamorgan 1091.
It has been in ruins since the late 18th century,[5] the house having been dismantled from 1756.[1]
The Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Wales have a number of drawings of East Orchard Castle.[2]
It is located on the eastern boundary of the St Athan community, approximately 1100 metres east of the Church of St Athan on the low cliff on the west side of the River Thaw, and is generally accessed by the lands of Rock Farm. There is a small stone bridge over a run-off of the river thaw that is likely related to the build of the castle (see image below).
Literature
- Clark, G.T. (1869). "East Orchard Manor House". Archaeologia Cambrensis. 24: 63–78.
- Stan Awbery (1959). The Story of St. Athan and Aberthaw.
References
- "East Orchard Castle". Gatehouse. The comprehensive online gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Channel Isles and the Isle of Man. 6 July 2016.
- "East Orchard Castle". CBHC / RCAHMW. Retrieved 29 November 2016.
- Clark, p. 63
- "St Athan Village. Castles". Archived from the original on 20 November 2008.
- "Ruins of East Orchard Castle". UK Beaches Guide. 2016.
