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