Moynes Court

Moynes Court

Engraving of the gatehouse, c. 1820
Location Mathern, Monmouthshire, Wales
Coordinates 51°36′54″N 2°41′42″W / 51.61500°N 2.69500°W / 51.61500; -2.69500Coordinates: 51°36′54″N 2°41′42″W / 51.61500°N 2.69500°W / 51.61500; -2.69500
OS grid reference ST 520 909
Built Some C14, mostly 1609–10
Later extensions
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated 10 June 1953
Location of Moynes Court in Monmouthshire

Moynes Court is a Grade II* listed building in the village of Mathern, Monmouthshire, Wales, about 3 miles (4.8 km) south west of Chepstow. An earlier building was rebuilt as a private residence by Francis Godwin, Bishop of Llandaff, in about 1609/10, and much of the building remains from that period. Its grounds contain earthworks thought to be the foundations of an earlier moated manor house.

History

From perhaps as early as the 7th century, lands at Mathern, close to the Severn estuary, were the property of the Bishop of Llandaff. However, according to local historian E. T. Davies, a new manor of Newton-juxta-Mathern was formed out of the ecclesiastical lands, and was granted by the lord of Striguil (or Chepstow) to Sir Bogo (or Bevis) de Knovell (or Knovil), Sheriff of Shropshire and Staffordshire in 1254.[1][2] A fortified manor house or castle – sometimes called Mathern Castle[3] – was built on the site. Earthworks to the southwest of the existing buildings suggest that it was roughly square in form, with a surrounding ditch and an outer bailey.[3][4] The only built remnant from the period is part of a gatehouse to the north, dating from the 14th century. This is square in plan, with two external stair turrets and some mediaeval windows.[5]

The Knovil family retained the lordship of the manor until about 1360, when John de Knovil died leaving his estate to his widow Margery, who married Thomas de Moigne (or Moyne). According to Bradney, it is likely that the original house at Moynes Court was built at that time, within the bailey to the north-east of the remains of the castle.[3] Soon after 1510, the estate came into the possession of the Morgan family of Pencoed, who held it until it was sold to Francis Lewis of St Pierre in 1638.[3]

Moynes Court changed hands many times.[2] By 1608 the property had been leased by Francis Godwin, Bishop of Llandaff. Most sources ascribe the rebuilding of the house to Godwin, whose crest dated 1609 is over the main entrance,[6] although Davies states that "the story that it was built by [Godwin] is without foundation."[1] Some sources state that the house would have been built as a private residential lodge for the bishops, with the nearby bishop's palace retained for official use.[4][5] However, according to Bradney, by 1618 it was leased by Thomas Hughes of Cillwch at Llantilio Crossenny; his elder son, also Thomas, was a colonel in the Parliamentary army, governor of Chepstow Castle and Member of Parliament for Monmouth, while his younger son Charles fought for the Royalists.[3][7]

Around 1670 the ownership of the estate and the house passed to Col. Hughes' son-in-law, Richard Lyster, later passing in turn to his own son-in-law, Lewis Owen. Members of the extended family of Owen and Lyster then retained the house until it was sold in about 1826.[3] In 1893, it returned to the ownership of the Lewis family of St Pierre, and became the seat of Charles Edward Lewis.[8][9] After the start of the First World War, it was occupied by the Wanklyn family; the young David Wanklyn later became the Allies' most successful submarine commander in the Second World War, in terms of tonnage sunk, and was awarded the VC and DSO before his death in 1942.[10]

Buildings

The house itself is built mainly of local limestone with some Bath stone.[2][9] Described as "delightfully trim and regular",[5] it is of two storeys with five bays, and "presents an appearance of absolute symmetry."[5] It has a steep gable-ended roof of three gables, with prominent groups of chimneystacks, mullioned stone windows, and a central porch. The building may originally have been in a T shape, but has been much extended to give a house two rooms deep. Internally, only the main staircase is original,[5][6] but the house contains several 17th-century fireplaces.[9]

The main house was subdivided into two properties – Courtyard House and Knovil House – in the 1950s.[9] The rear of the house incorporates various extensions of different dates, one with mullioned windows, and has two four-storey central gables.[6] The Gatehouse, also converted into residential use, incorporates two tall square towers with battlements.[4] In 2013 it was marketed for short-term holiday lets.[11] Barns on the site have also been converted into residential accommodation.[5] Moynes Court also has a 16th-century walled garden, and a mediaeval fishpond.[12]

Moynes Court was given Grade II* listed building status on 10 June 1953.[13] The gatehouse was given Grade II* status on 19 August 1955.[14]

The property is not open to the public.[12]

References

  1. 1 2 Davies, E. T. (1990). A History of the Parish of Mathern (2nd ed.). Mathern Parochial Church Council.
  2. 1 2 3 "Courtyard House, Moynes Court". WelshGatehouse.com. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Bradney, Sir Joseph (1933). A History of Monmouthshire: The Hundred of Caldicot. Mitchell Hughes and Clarke. pp. 50–56. ISBN 0 9520009 4 6.
  4. 1 2 3 "Moynes Court". Gatehouse Gazeteer. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Newman, John (2000). The Buildings of Wales: Gwent/Monmouthshire. Penguin Books. pp. 387–388. ISBN 0-14-071053-1.
  6. 1 2 3 "MOYNES COURT, MATHERN; KNOVILL HOUSE; THE MOAT HOUSE". RCAHMW. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  7. ↑ Knight, Jeremy (2005). Civil War and Restoration in Monmouthshire. Logaston Press. ISBN 1-904396-41-0.
  8. ↑ National Library of Wales: St Pierre Documents. Retrieved 16 September 2013
  9. 1 2 3 4 Caroe & Partners, Architects (October 2011). "Mathern: Moynes Court: Knovil House: Archaeological survey" (PDF). Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  10. ↑ Hart, Sydney (2009). Submarine Upholder. Amberley Publishing. pp. 12–13. ISBN 184868116X.
  11. ↑ The Gatehouse, Alastair Sawday's Special Places To Stay. Retrieved 16 September 2013
  12. 1 2 Parks and Gardens Register: Moynes Court, Chepstow, Wales. Retrieved 16 September 2013
  13. ↑ Moynes Court at British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 16 September 2013
  14. ↑ Gatehouse at Moynes Court, Mathern, at British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 16 September 2013
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