Tre Fedw; The Moat

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameTre Fedw; The Moat
Alternative NamesTreveddw; Trefeddw; Coucorney Fawr; Bwlch Trewen
Historic CountryMonmouthshire
Modern AuthorityMonmouthshire
1974 AuthorityGwent
CommunityCrucorney

Tre Fedw is a ditched oval mound, 36m by 26m and 5.7m high. Mutilated to the N, the mound appears to have been the subject of ornamental planting. Originally interpreted as a 'Roman tumulus'. (Coflein)

'an early period of castle building when offence played a major part of the design needs. The steepness of the motte and the surrounding ditch also show that inner defence was also a major issue.' (Phillips)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period. The site comprises a steep sided conical mound, 5m-6m high and 35m in diameter at the base. On the N side a large chunk of the mound has been quarried away, resulting in a 3.5m deep depression. The summit of the motte has partly been quarried away, with the surviving section measuring 12m NW/SE and 4m NE/SW. On the S and W sides are the remains of a shallow ditch, 3m wide and 1m deep. On the N side are the ephemeral traces of a bailey. (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 ReferenceSO330217
Latitude51.8904113769531
Longitude-2.97426009178162
Eastings333040
Northings221770
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 256 (listed twice as possible)
  • Prior, Stuart, 2006, A Few Well-Positioned Castles: The Norman Art of War (Tempus) p. 110-164
  • Phillips, Neil, 2006, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (British Archaeological Reports) p. 232-3
  • Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p. 74 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 282

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

Other

  • Phillips, Neil, 2005, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (PhD Thesis University of Sheffield) Download