Moynes Court

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 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…

The house itself is built mainly of local limestone with some Bath stone. The main house was subdivided into two properties – Courtyard House and Knovil House – in the 1950s. Barns on the site have also been converted into residential accommodation. The gatehouse was given Grade II* status on 19 August 1955. The court is not open to the public Moynes Cottage, the walled garden at the court and two 17th-century tithe barns in the vicinity have separate Grade II listings. The garden itself is listed at Grade II on the Cadw/ICOMOS Register of Parks and Gardens of Special Historic Interest in Wales.