The site known today as "Mathrafal Castle" is a 90 m by 80 m compound defended by a bank and outer ditch on three sides, the fourth side being the river. Little remains of the original walls. Mathrafal is the original capital of the
Kingdom of Powys, The 35m by 25m by 5m high
motte of Mathrafal Castle dates from around the end of the 12th century and was probably built either by
Owain Cyfeiliog (circa 1170) or
Robert de Vieuxpont on behalf of
King John in 1212. Prince
Gwenwynwyn ab Owain of Powys moved his capital from Mathrafal to
Welshpool (Y Trallwng) in 1212. Later in 1212, Robert de Vieuxpont was besieged in the castle by the coalition forces of Gwenwynwyn and
Llywelyn the Great, he was rescued by King John. The castle was destroyed and never rebuilt. Excavations by the University of York around 1991 found an iron and bronze figurine of St
Gwynllyw (or Woolos the Warrior) in a cavity in a window base. ==References==