The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Candleston Castle

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00258m
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Merthyr Mawr
Unitary authority : Bridgend
NGR : SS87117724
Site Type (preferred type first) : Medieval Manor house
Status : Scheduled Monument , listed building II*

Summary :
A 14th century tower-house. A lightly fortified manor house within the medieval fee of Merthyr Mawr, which continued in use until its abandonment in the late 19th century.

Description :
Candleston Castle is a ruined C14th tower-house: a lightly fortified manor house, one of only 5 within Glamorgan. It consists of a rectangular core, with a square keep at one end, with 2 further rectangular sections projecting E and W from each end of the central section. Parts of the curtain walls are vulnerable to vandalism and other parts are becoming structurally unsound, while other parts appear sound and in good order. Candleston was a mesne manor within the fee of Merthyr Mawr, which was acquired by the St Quintin lords of Llanbleddian and Talyfan in the 12th century.

The castle and manor derive their name from the Cantaloupes, who were the first tenants at Candleston after the St Quintins sub-enfeoffed the site. The structural remains at Candleston represent four main periods of masonry building. Work of the first period was the most significant, imposing its general layout on all subsequent building. There are also minor, undated additions representing the continuous occupation of the site from the 14th to the 19th century. It continued in use as a farmhouse until the late 19th century, and was then abandoned.

Sources :
Smith E.G. , 1932/33 , Merthyr Mawr, Candleston & Ogmore Castles
The Handley Partnership , HAAbase built heritage assessment system: Buildings at Risk database
01/MM Record Card/OS/1968/SS 87 NE 33
02/PM Desc Text/Evans CJO/1944/Glam its Hist & Topog/p214-5
06/MM Photo/GGAT/Lewis W/1979-80/
04/PM Desc Text/1933/Archaeol Cambrensis/p44
05/PM Map/Rees W/1932/S Wales & Border in C14th/SE Sheet
08/PM Desc Text/RCHM/1981/Glam Invent Vol 4 Pt 1 p.348 No.93
07/PM Desc Text/Smith EG/1932-3/Neath Antiq Soc/p.31,35
09/PM List/Cadw/Ancient Monuments Record Form
03/PM Desc Text/1928/Archaeol Cambrensis/p365
10/Desc Text/Cadw/ Full Management Report/2005/Copy in further information file
010/Desc Text/Cadw/Application for Grant Aid/2007 Copy in further information file.
011/Desc Text/Cadw/Full Management Report /01/02/2008/Copy in further information file.

Events :
E002332 : Merthyr Mawr Warren, Bridgend (year : 2001)
E007242 : High Status Settlement in Glamorgan and Gwent (year : 2010)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 93050 http://www.coflein.gov.uk/en/site/93050/details
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 1006M

Compiled date : 01-02-1977


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