Erw'r Castell Mound, Caerwys

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Possible Fortified Manor House, and also as a Palace (Other)

There are uncertain remains

NameErw'r Castell Mound, Caerwys
Alternative Names
Historic CountryFlintshire
Modern AuthorityFlintshire
1974 AuthorityClwyd
CommunityCaerwys

Mound 30m diameter, approx 2.5m high, probably natural on steeply sloped hillside. In the centre of the field is a more or less circular earthen mound 70 paces circ and 8-10ft high (Davies 1949, 79). Site is a natural feature on a steeply sloping hillside (CPAT site visit 30/09/99). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

In a field near the village, called Erw'r Castell, was anciently a fortress, the history of which is unknown, and of which there are no remains. (Lewis 1849)

Gatehouse Comments

Site just east of Caerwys church. Caerwys was a town of importance in medieval times (the site of an assize) and has the road layout of a planned Norman town. The tenurial history was as a holding of welsh princes. There should have been a high status manor and court house or llys at Caerwys which may well have had some symbolic military architectural features. Caerwys was granted a Royal Charter in 1290 which would be late for a timber castle but their was an earlier settlement. Although this mound is recorded as either natural or a ?round barrow its location is possible for a castle. Lewis mound may refer to this site or to a fieldname recorded at SJ128734, an even more likely castle site just north of the town (The town is natural defended by steep slopes on sides except the North). However Lewis's 'fortress' may be a reference to a reputed Roman fort from which the town takes it name, although a Roman origin would not preclude medieval use of the site as a llys.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSJ132729
Latitude53.2460403442383
Longitude-3.30311989784241
Eastings313200
Northings372900
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
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Books

  • Davies, E., 1949, Prehistoric and Roman Remains of Flint (Cardiff)
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy