Community members were galvanised into a bid to buy a slice of history, after reading in the Mid Wales Journal that Knucklas Castle was up for sale.
The castle is said to be the site where the legendary King Arthur, famed for his sword Excalibur and the Knights of the Round Table, and Guinevere, the woman he loved, were married.
Now people from Knucklas are hoping to raise enough cash to bring it into community ownership, and are holding a public meeting to discuss ways of achieving this.
“The news in last week’s Mid Wales Journal that Knucklas Castle, near Knighton, was for sale has galvanised some of us in Knucklas,” said village resident Kevin Jones, one of the bid’s organisers. “We are looking for ways that the people of the village and surrounding area can purchase the castle for the benefit of the people.”
He invited anyone who supported this principle to contact him or fellow organiser Will O’Leary and help with the work, adding: “The Radnorshire Wildlife Trust, for instance, is already supporting this bid.”
Mr Jones said: “We would like to set up a community land trust to hold and manage the property, and a meeting to discuss this is to be held in Knucklas Community Centre on November 12 at 7.30pm. All are invited.”
Anyone who can help is asked to contact either Will O’Leary on (01547) 528792 or Mr Jones on (01547) 520266.
Little remains of the original Knucklas Castle, but it stands on a 21-acre part of Castle Hill which is to be auctioned in two lots on November 27.
It was believed to have been commissioned by Norman knight Ralph Mortimer in 1240, but he did not stay to see it built, leaving this work to his 11-year-old son Roger.
Evidence suggests the castle was square, with substantial stone walls and a circular tower at each corner. Its purpose was to remind a hostile Welsh population that the English were in charge.
But it was attacked and destroyed by forces loyal to Owain Glyndwr during his rebellion in 1402.
