Twyn y Gregen, Llanarth

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameTwyn y Gregen, Llanarth
Alternative NamesTwyn y Cregen
Historic CountryMonmouthshire
Modern AuthorityMonmouthshire
1974 AuthorityGwent
CommunityLlanarth

A mound, c.20m in diameter and 5.0m high, ditched except where it rests on steep natural slopes to the E, to the S a part of the mound has been consumed by a sand pit. Excavation in 1936 produced high quality C13 pottery, but no structural evidence. (Coflein)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The site consists of a large conical, steep-sided mound, 5m high, with a flat top. The surrounding ditch is not visible on the grounds. On the S side of the mound is a depression caused by the quarrying of the site for gravel. A brief excavation of the motte in 1936 revealed that it had been constructed by augmenting a natural mound by digging a ditch around it and raising and levelling the top. On the summit of the motte a hearth was found, together with charcoal and a reasonable assemblage of high quality medieval pottery. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

In August 2005 heavily overgrown with bramble. The mound is formed from a low ridge, is now invisible except at very close inspection but can never have been particularly prominent. In the Coflein record for Llansantffraed Court this seems to be described as a 'possible viewing platform'. Certainly high status C13 pottery may be better expalined by this being a hunting feature than by it being motte. However it is catalogued in Coflein as a motte and, therefore, record in Gatehouse as possible although I would dismiss it otherwise.

- 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 ReferenceSO362096
Latitude51.7820816040039
Longitude-2.92517995834351
Eastings336270
Northings209660
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 244 (listed)
  • Phillips, Neil, 2006, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (British Archaeological Reports) p. 220-22
  • Higham, R. and Barker, P., 1992, Timber Castles (Batsford)
  • 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. 284
  • Bradney, J.A., 1904-33, History of Monmouthshire Vol. 1 p. 301

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
  • O'Neil, B.H.St.J. and Foster-Smith, A.H., 1936, 'Excavations at Twyn-y-Cregen, Llanarth, Monmouthshire' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 91 p. 247-58, 348-9

Other

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