The Gatehouse website record for Harold's House, Portskewett

In the community of Portskewett. In the historic county of Monmouthshire (Modern authority of Monmouthshire, preserved county of Gwent).

Earthworks immediately W of Portskewett church (Nprn307463), comprising: a subrectangular/oval mound/platform, c.21-22.5m in diameter and 1.0m high, with a bank springing from it, defining part of a possible enclosure, c.55m E-W by 25m; on the W is a bank, c.50m E-W by 15m and 1.0m high, possibly forming a pond bay across a damp valley. (Coflien)
TimeTeam evaluation excavation in June 2007 found C12-C13 medieval manor house with fortified tower on probably site of late Saxon royal hunting lodge on probably site of early medieval welsh llys. Close to River Severn, although tidal inlet now silted up. On slight hill, along with local church. Typical manorial site.
Underneath the rubble, which included large quantities of medieval roof tiles, the diggers in this trench uncovered a doorway from one building, probably the manor house tower, and two walls from a separate, adjacent structure, probably stables. Dressed stone was recovered from the doorjamb and windows, which proved to be the same size and style as used on St Mary's church, which dates to the early 1100s. The detailing on the window stones, which are known to have been changed on the church in the 1200s, also matched, suggesting that manor house was altered at same time. (TimeTeam)

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is ST49868805

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's National Monument Record (Coflein) number is 15506
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 00505g 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

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The information on this web page may be derived from information compiled by and/or copyright of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales, the four welsh archaeological trusts and other individuals and organisations. All the sources given should be consulted to identify the original copyright holder and permission obtained from them before use of the information on this site for commercial purposes. I do not receive any income from this site and I fund it myself.
The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.

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