Hendre Isaf Motte, Llangernyw

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameHendre Isaf Motte, Llangernyw
Alternative NamesDomen Pentre Isaf; Llangerniew
Historic CountryDenbighshire
Modern AuthorityConwy
1974 AuthorityClwyd
CommunityLlangernyw

Remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period. The stone and earthen built motte is located at the edge of a gravel terrace on the W bank of the River Elwy. The motte survives as a tall and irregular shaped mound and measures c. 6.5m in height from its top to the bottom of the ditch. The motte measures c. 50m N-S by 40m transversely and is encircled by a dry moat, measuring c. 10m in width. Source: Cadw scheduling description. F.Foster/RCAHMW 30.03.2007 (Coflein)

Irregular mound much over grown and eroded 7m high. Surrounded on all but the eastern side by a broad dry ditch 12m wide and 2m deep. No trace of bailey although the farm to the east may have destroyed it. (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

Controlling the route up the Afon Elwy the castle consists of what is probably a largely natural mound on the edge of the river plain scarped into a motte. Once more this fortress has no known history and it could well be another one of the castles built by Robert Rhuddlan to protect his lands in North Wales before his death in 1093 and the destruction of nearly all the castle of Wales during 1094. (Remfry 2016)

The monument, also known as Y Domen or Domen Pentre Isaf, comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The stone and earthen built motte is located at the edge of a gravel terrace on the W bank of the River Elwy. The motte survives as a tall and irregular shaped mound, and measures c. 6.5m in height from its top to the bottom of the ditch. Buildings belonging to Hendre-Isaf farm have encroached onto the E side of the motte, giving the motte an oval shape on plan. The motte measures c. 50m N-S by 40m transversely. The motte is encircled by a dry moat, measuring c. 10m in width. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Suggested as a native welsh castle.

- Philip Davis

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 ReferenceSH874688
Latitude53.2044296264648
Longitude-3.68707990646362
Eastings287420
Northings368820
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 237 (listed)
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 69
  • Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles of North Wales (Malvern) p. 87 (slight)
  • Manley, J., Grenter, S. and Gale, F., 1991, The Archaeology of Clwyd
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 104
  • Davies, E., 1929, The Prehistoric and Roman Remains of Denbighshire (Cardiff)
  • RCAHMW, 1914, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Denbighshire (HMSO) p. 115 no. 404 online copy

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