Tretower Court, Tretower (Mid Wales)
Restored courtyard house with origins in the fourteenth century.
Introduction
Restored courtyard house with origins in the fourteenth century. Rebuilt by Sir Roger Vaughan in the fifteenth century. Magnificent timberwork survives in the northern and western ranges, with later Classical-style windows dating to the 1630s. Recreated fifteenth-century garden.
History to the present day
Tretower Court is a rare example of the way in which a castle (nearby Tretower Castle) gradually developed into a fortified manor house. It is also significant for having escaped destruction in wars or conflicts, partial damage or slighting, or total redevelopment.
The initial construction (the north range and west range) dates from the early 14th century, when the castle site was also still in use. The 14th century building included a central ground floor hall open to its high roof, a solar or private bedchamber and a private living room. The hall was probably used as the local court for the collection of fines and tithes.
During the early 15th century Owain Glyndwr revolt in Wales against the new King Henry IV the building was under extreme threat from Welsh forces although indirectly as Tretower Castle was the real target. Less than a decade later the Court was the local point at which the contingent of Welsh archers convened and left for service in France under King Henry V to contribute to the English victory at Agincourt.
In 1450 the property was put under the control of Sir Roger Vaughan by Sir William Herbert, the Earl of Pembroke and his half-brother. The property then remained under the control of the Vaughan family for all of its heyday, finally passing out of Vaughan hands in 1783. Following this it fell into a state of disrepair and by the 20th century the building was extremely vulnerable to collapse.
Arrival information and how to find us
Address: Tretower Court, Mid Wales, , United Kingdom
Opening times:
Spring Opening Times:
27.05.10 - 31.10.10 - Monday - Sunday, 10.00 - 17.00
01.11.10 - 31.03.11: Monday - Thursday Closed, Friday and Saturday 9.30 -16.00 , Sunday 11.00 - 16.00
Summer Opening Times:
27.05.10 - 31.10.10 - Monday - Sunday, 10.00 - 17.00
Autumn Opening Times:
27.05.10 - 31.10.10 - Monday - Sunday, 10.00 - 17.00
Winter Opening Times:
27.05.10 - 31.10.10 - Monday - Sunday, 10.00 - 17.00
01.11.10 - 31.03.11: Monday - Thursday Closed, Friday and Saturday 9.30 -16.00 , Sunday 11.00 - 16.00
Further Information: 01443 336000
Photographs courtesy of CADW photographic library.
