Bryn y Cwn Motte, Flint
Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Bryn y Cwn Motte, Flint |
| Alternative Names | Plas yn Balls; Bryn-cwn; Bryn y cwm |
| Historic Country | Flintshire |
| Modern Authority | Flintshire |
| 1974 Authority | Clwyd |
| Community | Flint |
Bryn-y-Cwn is a large earthwork motte and partially surviving counterscarp bank located about 1 mile north of Flint. The site consists of a tree-clad circular mound, c.55m in diameter and 8.0-12m high, with a summit diameter of 16m, set upon the N end of a spur, ditched to the S. The location of the bailey (if any) has been lost. There is no recorded history for the castle, although possibly it is the site 'palisaded' in 1244 (see Hen Blas as alternative site for this work). Its proximity to the castle at Flint may be an indication that Bryn-y-Cwn Castle served as an outpost or support site for this larger castle nearby. (Dervived from Coflein)
The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period. A motte and bailey castle comprises a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil or stone (the motte) surrounded by, or adjacent to, one or more embanked enclosures (the bailey). Both may be surrounded by wet or dry ditches and could be further strengthened with palisades, revetments, and/or a tower on top of the motte. The motte is roughly circular and stands to a height of 30ft with a flattened top, which measures 90ft in diameter. The ditch on west side rises 15ft to the counterscarp and on the south side of motte, a spur of high ground runs south. This is separated from the field to the west by the ditch which measures 15ft deep with a small stream at the bottom, and from the field to the east by a wide ditch rising 10ft to field boundary. (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 Reference | SJ238714 |
| Latitude | 53.2344703674316 |
| Longitude | -3.14271998405457 |
| Eastings | 323830 |
| Northings | 371440 |
