Arnold le Boteler, the first recorded 'lord' of the
Welsh
Welsh may refer to:
Related to Wales
* Welsh, referring or related to Wales
* Welsh language, a Brittonic Celtic language spoken in Wales
* Welsh people
People
* Welsh (surname)
* Sometimes used as a synonym for the ancient Britons (Celtic peopl ...
village of
Pembrey, was a late 11th and early 12th century
Norman squire with a penchant for property development.
He established the manor house and estate which is now known as
Court Farm, Pembrey during the reign of
William the Conqueror. Earlier, he had acquired Dundryfan manor from his lord,
Maurice de Londres, for services rendered, and had built the first stone building,
Dunraven Castle
Dunraven Castle (or in Welsh, Castell Dwnrhefn) was a mansion on the South Wales coast near Southerndown. The existing manor house was rebuilt as a castellated Hunting and shooting in the United Kingdom#Hunting_lodge, hunting lodge in the early 19 ...
, on the site.
Arnold's service to Maurice de Londres was the defence of
Ogmore Castle
Ogmore Castle ( cy, Castell Ogwr) is a Grade I listed castle ruin located near the village of Ogmore-by-Sea, south of the town of Bridgend in Glamorgan, South Wales. It is situated on the south bank of the River Ewenny and the east bank of the Riv ...
while the lord defended against Welsh insurgence, led by Princess
Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd
Gwenllian ferch Gruffydd () (''Gwenllian, daughter of Gruffydd''; 1100 – 1136) was Princess consort of Deheubarth in Wales, and married to Gruffydd ap Rhys, Prince of Deheubarth. Gwenllian was the daughter of Gruffudd ap Cynan (1055–1137), ...
, at
Kidwelly Castle
Kidwelly Castle ( cy, Castell Cydweli) is a Norman castle overlooking the River Gwendraeth and the town of Kidwelly, Carmarthenshire, Wales. The origin of this surname traces back to when it was spelled Cygweli which means "swan."
Early histo ...
.
The le Boteler/Butler family crest can be seen in plasterwork in St.
Illtud's Church, Pembrey. The le Boteler estate passed to the
Earl of Ashburnham.
External links
Walks and history around Dunraven House.Sadly inaccurate schoolteacher's video supporting restoration of le Boteler's Court House in Pembrey.Reference to the "faithful servant."
{{DEFAULTSORT:Boteler, Arnold le
11th-century births
12th-century deaths
Anglo-Normans in Wales
People from Carmarthenshire