Castell Oxwich: A Tudor Manor House on the Gower Peninsula

Situated on a wooded headland overlooking Oxwich Bay on the Gower Peninsula, Castell Oxwich is a Grade I listed castle. Although it may occupy the site of an earlier fortification, it is a castle in name only, as it is a grand Tudor fortified manor house built in courtyard style. The existing buildings were largely created in the 16th century, consisting of a Gateway built between 1520 and 1538, a Hall built between 1559 and 1580, and a South Range built between 1520 and 1538.

Standing tall at the corner of the Hall and the South Range, the six-story South-East Tower serves as an imposing guardian. The Gateway is surmounted by a plaque with the coats of arms of the Mansell family and the Penrice and Scurlage families to which Sir Rhys was related. The East Range carried a large Hall and, with the South-East Tower to which it was connected, provided extensive accommodation. The South Range contained a kitchen.

Castell Oxwich was originally built by Sir Rice Mansel, who also owned Old Beaupre Castle. His son, Sir Edward Mansel, succeeded to the property and between 1560 and 1580 created a much grander structure, called the Great House, capable of housing a large number of guests and retainers. It was a leading example in Wales of the Elizabethan prodigy house. It is possible that the construction of this range may have led to the bankruptcy of its builder, Sir Edward Mansel.

By 1632, the Castle was already leased out by the Mansell family. Parts of the building collapsed in the eighteenth century, and parts of the South Range were rebuilt, with the building continuing to be used as a farmhouse into the 20th century. In 1949, the Castle was threatened with demolition but was saved and given to the State. The building is now in the care of Cadw.

A gold brooch was discovered by Cyril Grove during maintenance works in 1968. This rare fine example of medieval British jewellery is in the form of a gold ring with mounts from the period 1320–1340. It is set with three rubies and three cameos, which may have been added at a later date. It may once have been part of the treasure of Edward II or an heirloom of the Mansel family, and it is now on display at the National Museum Cardiff.

Sources: Wikipedia, OpenStreetMap, Wikidata, Wikimedia Commons