Moynes Court

Moynes Court
Engraving of the gatehouse, c. 1820
Location	Mathern, Monmouthshire, Wales
Coordinates	51°36′54″N 2°41′42″W / 51.61500°N 2.69500°W / 51.61500; -2.69500Coordinates: 51°36′54″N 2°41′42″W / 51.61500°N 2.69500°W / 51.61500; -2.69500
OS grid reference	ST 520 909
Built	Some C14, mostly 1609–10 Later extensions
Listed Building – Grade II*
Designated	10 June 1953
Location of Moynes Court in Monmouthshire

Moynes Court is a Grade II* listed building in the village of Mathern, Monmouthshire, Wales, about 3 miles (4.8 km) 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.

From 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.

The Knovil family retained the lordship of the manor until about 1360, when John de Knovil died leaving his estate to his widow Margery, who married Thomas de Moigne (or Moyne). According to Bradney, it is likely that the original house at Moynes Court was built at that time, within the bailey to the north-east of the remains of the castle. Soon after 1510, the estate came into the possession of the Morgan family of Pencoed, who held it until it was sold to Francis Lewis of St Pierre in 1638.