Tomen y Rhodwydd, Llandegla
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)
There are earthwork remains
Name | Tomen y Rhodwydd, Llandegla |
Alternative Names | Castell y Rhodwydd; Buddugre; Llanarmon yn Ial; Yale; Castle in Ial; Castell yr Adwy |
Historic Country | Denbighshire |
Modern Authority | Denbighshire |
1974 Authority | Clwyd |
Community | Llandegla |
Motte, 20m across the top, is surrounded on the north and west by a dramatic ditch and outer bank. It stands 7.8m above base of the ditch and 4.9m above the bailey to its south-east, with only a slight hollow between the two. The bailey measures about 40m across internally; no visible traces of buildings remain. Its undulating bank stands about 1-1.5m above the interior, and 4-5m above the base of the ditch, which joins the motte ditch on the south and surrounds the bailey except for a causeway at the northernmost corner beside the motte. An outer bank, possibly built of spoil from the ditches, survives on the south, although the site has been damaged by the road on this side. Built in 1149 by Owain Gwynedd. The castle was taken in 1157 by Iorwerth Goch ap Maredudd of Powys and burnt, although like Tomen y Faerdre, it was restored and ditched by the English forces during King John's 1212 campaign. (Derived from Pratt, 1978)
A ditched motte, c.38-42m in diameter and 4.9-7.8m high, stands on the NE of a crescentic bailey, c.57m E-W by 46m, defined by a bank and ditch. There is a continuous counterscarp about both motte and bailey, the work occupying an area, c.118m by 90m. The castle's construction is recorded in 1149 and its destruction in 1157. (Coflein–J.Wiles 22.10.02)
The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, lying at the head of the Nant y Garth Pass, southwest of the village of Llandegla. The ditched motte lies to the northeast, and stands between 38-42m in diameter and between 4.9 and 7.8m high. The crescentic bailey is approximately 57m from east to west by 46m, and is defined by a bank and ditch. There is a continuous counterscarp around both the motte and the bailey. The castle’s construction is recorded in AD1149, and its destruction in 1157. (Scheduling Report)
This site is a scheduled monument protected by law
Not Listed
The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid Reference | SJ176516 |
Latitude | 53.0553512573242 |
Longitude | -3.22930002212524 |
Eastings | 317690 |
Northings | 351610 |