Hay on Wye Castle, 1066 to 1298

Early foundation of this castle

Hay on Wye opens up new possibilities for the early foundation of this castle and the Fitz Osbern penetration of South-East Wales in the summer of 1070 when he defeated three Welsh kings. The history is then continued through the lordships of the Neufmarchés, which was confirmed at the battle of Brecon in 1093, and also the Gloucester families until 1165 when the district passed into the hands of the Braoses. The very early origins of the castle are examined and compared with that of the little known motte by the church, which has always wrongly been ascribed as the first castle of Hay on Wye. In 1230 the castle passed to the Bohuns and the local history, including the battle near Hay in 1231, is continued through the Mortimer wars of the 1260's and the battle at Brecon in 1266 down to the death of Earl Humphrey Bohun in 1298.

Powerful castle remains

The powerful castle remains are examined in full and the construction dates of the various parts of the fortress are deduced.

British Castles Series

The first of the British Castles Series to be home-published was Clun Castle in 1994. This was a successful comprehensive history based solely on original Anglo-Welsh manuscripts. Since this 32 more followed making up the present collection in the British Castles Series. Professionals and individuals find them useful for their research and interest purposes in medieval history, archaeology, genealogy, and family and local history.

Paul Martin Remfry

Paul Martin Remfry, B.A., M.Phil., studied history at Aberystwyth University College of Wales between 1981 and 1984 and in 1989 obtained a Master of Philosophy Degree by Thesis on the Welsh Dynasties of Rhwng Gwy a Hafren (roughly equates to the old county of Radnor) and their Middle March castles.
Publisher: SCS Publishing, 1995
ISBN: 1899376070

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