Castle Bank Castles and Hillfort, Cefnllys

Castle Bank at Cefnllys is located two miles east of Llandrindod Wells, Powys in a bend of the River Ithon. The isolated hill includes the remains of two 13th century castles built under the Mortimer family and placed at either end of the ridge. The first castle was built at the north-east (lower) end of the ridge in 1242, probably founded under Ralph Mortimer. In 1262-3 Llywelyn ap Gruffydd sacked this castle and it does not seem to have been rebuilt. In 1267 Ralph's son, Roger Mortimer, built a new castle at the southern (higher) end of the ridge. In 1272 Llywelyn complained to Edward 1st that a deep ditch (the rock cut ditch on the model) was being dug rather than the old castle being repaired. The new castle does not seem to have seen any action in the subsequent Welsh wars of 1277 and 1282 and stayed in the Mortimer family until the early 15th century. In the mid 15th century the constable of Cefnllys & receiver of Maelienydd, Ieuan ap Phylip & his wife Angharad, occupied a hall house at the site.