Moynes Court

Moynes Court is a Grade II* listed building in the village of Mathern, Monmouthshire, Wales, about 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. HistoryFrom 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. A fortified manor house or castle – sometimes called Mathern Castle – 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. 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.

Moynes Court is a Grade II* listed building in the village of Mathern, Monmouthshire, Wales, about 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. HistoryFrom 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. A fortified manor house or castle – sometimes called Mathern Castle – 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. 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.