Llanvair Discoed is a 13th century castle hidden away in the raised grounds covered in think undergrowth next to the village church,  built by Sir Ralph Monthermer upon the site of an earlier fortress. The unusual name of the castle and village translates as Mary's (Mair>Fair) church (llan) under (is) the wood (coed). The village is mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 'Lamecare'. The 'D' in Discoed only appeared in more recent times.

The castle is situated on private ground so can only be viewed from the outside via the adjacent church grounds or fields behind. Covered in thick ivy and surrounded by a forest of thorns and nettles, gaining sight of this wonderful castle is sadly very difficut indeed. Two towers and parts of the curtain wall and gatehouse remain but are in a sad state of disrepair in need of more work, love and care than the current owners are able to provide it with.

A hidden gem if you are able to find it!

~ History ~

1271 ~ Robert Fitzpayn is recorded as residing at his seat of Llanvair, in the castle built by Roger Fitzpayn some fifty years earlier.

1297 ~ The castle passes to Sir Ralph Monthermer, a man who was formerly a squire to Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and his wife Joan of Acre, daughter of King Edward I. Following the Earl's death his widow falls in love with her squire and later induces her father to knight him, before marryin him in secret. When she is later forced to reveal her marriage, King Edward is enraged and has Monthermer imprisoned in Bristol. Whilst pleading for her husband to her father she tells him

'No one sees anything wrong if a great earl marries a poor and lowly woman. Why should there be anything wrong if a countess marries a young and promising man?' 

With the intervention of Anthony Bec, Bishop of Durham, King Edward relents and releases Monthermer from prison. Ralph pays homage to King Edward at Eltham Palace and is formally recognised as Earl of Gloucester for the lifetime of his daughter.

He is then summoned to attend a military council at Rochester to prepare for King Edward's invasion of Scotland, and Monthermer's part in this with the siege of Caerlaverock Castle the following year and further campaigns throughout the Scottish Wars of Independence.

1301 ~ Monthermer is the knight who warns Robert the Bruce whilst attending the English court, of the danger posed by King Edward, after hearing of the King's intention to arrest Robert the next morning. Monthermer warns Bruce by sendng him the sum of twelve pence and a pair of spurs. Bruce takes the hint and he and his squire quickly depart the English court for Scotland.

1307 ~ Joan dies in childbirth aged just 35. Llanvair passes to the young Earl Gilbert III de Clare. Ralph is awarded the title of Baron of Monthermer and keeper of Cardiff Castle, and later warden in Scotland.

The castle remains in the hands of Ralph's sons, Edward and Thomas for a further 33 years until their own deaths.

1313~ Monthermer marries his second wife Isabel le Despenser, the widow of Lord Hatsings and a daughter of the Earl of Winchester, again in secret.

1314 ~ Monthermer fights for King Edward II at the Battle of Bannockburn against Robert the Bruce which results in total disaster for the larger English army. Monthermer is captured and taken to Robert the Bruce who, thankful for Monthermer having saved him from King Edward's wrath 11 years earlier and without whom he would not be King of Scotland, releases him without ransom, not before entertaining him at his victory feast and ensuring his safe return across the border.

1315 ~ Monthermer is appointed warden of warden of the royal forests of south of Trent and goes on pilgrimage, his secet marriage revealed for which he will not be pardoned for a further four years, six years before his own death.

1340 ~ Llanvair Discoed passes to John Montacute, Earl of Salisbury. However, due to its location in Wales, the castle and village are of little interest to them.

1541 ~ Following the execution of Margaret Montacute, wife of Sir Richard Pole, on the orders of King Henry VIII, the castle reverts to the Crown and is sold to a succession of local families.

1610 ~ The castle is sold to Edward Woodward.

1635 ~ Rhys Kemey's purchases the castle but builds a house near its grounds to reside in due to the poor condition of the castle, which is allowed to fall into a further state of disrepair.