A Little Taste of History

The Name Peterstone is derived form the word Jon of St. Peter’s ~ Church land, the Church land, the church in this case being the church of St. Peter next door.

There has been some form of dwelling at the site of Peterstone Court since the 14th century, being the home of Sir John Walbcoffe, the head of a family butchers to their Lord, Bernard Newmarch, a companion to William The Conqueror. Records show that the spelling of the family name changes over the years, but it appears that in 1333 a John Waldeboef was killed by an act of treason following the battle of Gascony. In 1580 the will of Robert Waldbeff asked that he be buried “in the parish of Llanhamleghe.

”The old family mansion was situated where the present house now stands, but facing the church. Stories exist that Charles 1 was received at Peterstone while recruiting Royalist forces during the Civil War. In the snooker room is a fireback discovered in 1991, EHW 1643 cast along with a figure of a lady or angel- possibly Walbeoffe Arms?

The original house having been willed to a Charles Walbeoffe was sold to “John Powell a barrister.” John Powell took down the old house and erected the present building in 1741, the ballroom (now the Restaurant) being added in 1901.

It was subsequently owned by Lord Glanusk and rented to tenants who included Colonel the Hon. J. H. Bailey D.S.O. and the H.E. Gray J.P. a High Sheriff of Breconshire.