Crugyn Dimai, Llanfarian

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Questionable Siege Work

There are earthwork remains

NameCrugyn Dimai, Llanfarian
Alternative NamesLower Llanabadarn y Creuddyn
Historic CountryCardiganshire
Modern AuthorityCeredigion
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityLlanfarian

A substantial hillock, thought to be mostly natural, however the presence of a rabbit colony upon the flat summit in 1973, suggests that this part has been made-up. (source Os495card; SN57NE1) J.Wiles 14.02.02 A steep, predominantly natural, hillock some 8.0m in height whose west side is largely made up of a steep, exposed rock outcrop. There is some evidence that artificial paths or scoops have been cut into the hillock at some point in the past. However, there is no sign that the hill has been artificially defended although its exceptional position in a valley 'through route' and its prominent form must have invited settlement or human use during prehistoric and later times. The slopes to the N, S and E are earth covered and less steep, but still present good natural defences below the summit. The N slope is not a uniform gradient and is broken by a ?natural shoulder of rock or earth which continues around to the west. The summit, c10m wide, is oval in plan and mostly level, rising to a low rocky point at the W tip. To the N is an oval scoop taken from the edge of the level area c.4m wide which, if not natural, may result from quarrying. On the W side, the ground falls away steeply in a series of rocky ledges; one of these just below the summit has the appearance of an artificial path and is the place chosen for the erection of a TV aerial. No artefacts were found in rabbit burrows and sheep scrapes on and around the rock. The whole is wooded and thickly grown with brambles, wild garlic and bluebells. Visited by T Driver, 17th March 2000. T Driver, 5th May 2004. (Coflein)

Gatehouse Comments

Davis rejects as purely natural outcrop. However, this is a prominent feature in a position which controls roads and a river crossing and which certainly could have been used as a siege castle in any the numerous occasions when nearby Tan y Castell changed hands.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSN592787
Latitude52.3886489868164
Longitude-4.0696702003479
Eastings259240
Northings278720
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 45 (reject)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 49
  • Rees, Wm, 1932, Map of South Wales and the Border in the 14th century (Ordnance Survey) (A handbook to the map was published in 1933)

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124 (possible)
  • Renn, D.F., 1959, 'Mottes: a classification' Antiquity Vol. 33 p. 106-12 (listed as siegework)
  • King, D.J.C., 1956, 'The Castles of Cardiganshire' Ceredigion Vol. 3 p. 67 no. 31 online copy