Castlefacts³

Grugyn Mound, St Harmon

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

Name	Grugyn Mound, St Harmon
Alternative Names
Historic Country	Radnorshire
Modern Authority	Powys
1974 Authority	Powys
Community	St Harmon

A mound occupying a low spur in a river valley, 25m in diameter and 1.5m high. Its relatively large size and situation, close to a point where a Roman road makes a river-crossing (see Nprn400375) have prompted suggestions that this monument is a motte. (Coflein)

Mound 25m dia by 1.5m high. sited on river valley spur. scheduled as barrow (cadw, 1974) but size and position may indicate motte (OS, 1978).

Rounded tumulus, apparently in original undisturbed state. Base circumference 250ft, height 7ft (RCAHM, 1913).

Diameter 25m, height 1.5m. Site now under pasture, but presumed ploughed. Its large size and its situation dominating an ancient river crossing (Roman road identified here) lead OS to suspect it may be a motte (OS visit, 1978).

Large barrow, spread by ploughing, circumference 32 yards, height 6ft. Unopened. ?trace of ditch on SW side (Cadw, AM7).

Barrow c.1.75m high, diameter c.25m, no sign of ditch. Sited on river valley spur (Cadw, 1986/1992). Large round grass-covered barrow in very good condition. Lies in pasture field and appears undisturbed. Presumably spread somewhat by ploughing. No trace of the previously recorded ditch. Circumference 75m, height c.1,5m, diameter c.22m (CPAT, 19/10/00). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a earthen built round barrow, which probably dates to the Bronze Age (c. 2300 - 800 BC). Crugyn Tumulus is circular in shape on plan and has a rounded profile. It sits on a low spur in a river valley above an ancient river crossing, and is c.25m in diameter and c.1.5m high. It gives the impression of having been spread by ploughing in the past, and there is now no trace of a previously recorded ditch. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Located at the north end of a low spur in the Marteg valley in a position where it would be a visual focal point for Bronze Age communities or a strategic position to control and administer the local medieval people. Does not seem to have been identified by the usual castle studies authors although was documented (as a tumulus) and is easily viewed.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)

304961

County Historic Environment Record

www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=CPAT1664&dbname=cpat&tbname=core

OS Map Grid Reference	SN982723
Latitude	52.3396797180176
Longitude	-3.49476003646851
Eastings	298250
Northings	272340