Narberth Castle

Narberth was once a rectangular enclosure with four corner towers. The entire North side and the gatehouse are long gone. What remains are fragments of a great chamber over a vaulted storeroom. It's location may lead one to think that it had played a role in the Glyndwr Rebellion though the area remained under English influence under the watchful eye of Thomas Carrewe. He kept the castle secure during this period with his small garrison and reaped the reward of Lordship in 1404. Sir Edmund Mortimer was the fifth to gain the Earldom but it reverted to royal possession when he died childless in 1425.

Leading west from the tiny conurbation is a road called Welshman's Road. The origin of this name could well be the fact that it formed the final approach of visitors to the two manors from the more western enclaves of the Mortimers. And the western-most of these lordships, on the mainland at least, was Narberth. This included the castle and its adjacent borough, together with Robeston Wathen, Templeton, Lampeter Velfrey, Llanddewi Velfrey, Molleston, Henllan Amgoed, Peulinog and Crinow, plus half of St. Clears. Described by one observer as a "small but imposing medieval castle", built on a knoll to the south of the town, Narberth was of an irregular rectangular shape, with towers at each corner. The gatehouse was set into the shorter north wall and could well have been linked to the dominant north-east tower with its "great deep dungeon". Sadly, the structure has become progressively more derelict since the late 16th century.

The history of virtually every Welsh castle contains at least one episode which describes its fate during the Glyndwr Rebellion. While Narberth's position could have occasioned a threat from the Welsh at more than one stage of the uprising, it would appear that it remained throughout a bastion of English influence in the area.

This was, no doubt, due to the energies of the castellan, Thomas Carrewe, who, with a small garrison of men-at-arms and bowmen, kept it secure. For this, he was rewarded with the lordship in 1404. This favour had been in the hands of the crown since 1402, when it was forfeited by Sir Edmund Mortimer, younger brother of the fourth Earl, Roger, when the former had made common cause with Glyndwr after his capture in June of that year.

By courtesy of Henry V, the lordship of Narberth reverted to the Mortimers in the person of Edmund's nephew of the same name. This benefaction, for loyal service in the war against France, was rather ironic, as the young Mortimer was the true heir to the English throne having rightful, but unfulfilled precedence over the former Prince Hal who made the gift.

This Edmund also regained the earldom as its fifth holder, but became the last incumbent when he died childless in 1425. With the accession of his nephew's son as Edward IV, Narberth reverted into royal possession.

So ended the Narberth-Mortimer association. It had lasted virtually unbroken for almost two centuries. However important that link had been in the lives of some east Pembrokeshire retainers, though, throughout that period their patch was merely part of a larger fabric. The lordship of Narberth was just one of many in a much greater domain.