Nantcribba
| Nantcribba | |
|---|---|
 Nantcribba
 Nantcribba shown within Powys |
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| OS grid reference | SO237014 |
| Coordinates | 52°36′18″N 3°07′39″W / 52.60499°N 3.12747°WCoordinates: 52°36′18″N 3°07′39″W / 52.60499°N 3.12747°W |
Nantcribba is a township in the parish of Forden in the historic county of Montgomeryshire and now in Powys It is also the site of Nantcribba Castle which was built by the Corbett, Barons of Caus, of Caus Castle in Shropshire. To the south of the Castle site was Nantcribba Hall, which was owned by the Devereux family and the Marquises of Hereford. In the 19th century Nantcribba became part of the Leighton Hall estates.
Nantcribba Castle lies immediately to the SSE of Offa's Dyke. Nantcribba Farm and the Model Farm buildings are to the E and the Moated Manor site is further to the E. Nantcribba Hall (now replaced by Parklands) is to the S of Offa’s Dyke and to the W of the Nantcribba Castle. Hen Nantcribba is equidistant between the Castle and Nantcribba Hall
The castle has been suggested as the castle of Gwyddgrug that was mentioned in 1260 as belonging to the Corbets of Caus and taken by Gruffydd ap Gwenwynwyn on the instructions of Llywelyn the Great in 1263. The identification of the site as being Gwyddgrug is by no means certain. While the Corbets regained the area after 1277, there is no evidence that the castle was re-built.
A description in 1786 by Thomas Pennant appears to record an 18th-century excavation of the castle.
‘A little beyond (Offa’s Dyke), near the house of Nantcribba, rises a great conoid rock. A few years ago, on taking away the top, were discovered the remains of a little fort; and on paring away the rubbish, it appeared to have been square, with a round tower probably at each corner: one is tolerably entire, and is only nine feet diameter within; the wall seven feet severn feet seven inches thick. There had been some small square rooms, with door cases of good freestone: the rest of the building is of rough stone, cemented with clay. This place was probably ruined by fire: for I observed some melted lead, mixed with charcoal and several pieces of vitrified stuff. There is no history relative to it. It must be very antient, for on the top is the stool of a vast oak. The base of the rock is surrounded with a ditch, cut through it, leaving only a narrow pass to the fort. At a distance is another trench.’
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