Dingestow Castle

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle

There are earthwork remains

NameDingestow Castle
Alternative NamesLandinegath; Llandingat; Landinegat
Historic CountryMonmouthshire
Modern AuthorityMonmouthshire
1974 AuthorityGwent
CommunityMitchel Troy

A castle at Dingestow is recorded as being constructed 1184 and further noted in 1469. The earthwork remains include two enclosures, the upper being sub-rectangular, about 54m by 38m, the lower adjoins on the south-east and is about 36m by 60m. The castle is defined by ditches, or moats, except to the north-east where it is sited above a stream. There is a counterscarp to the north-west. Excavations in 1969 failed to locate any substantial masonry structures. (Coflein)

The monument consists of the remains of a castle mound, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The site comprises two enclosures located on the SW side of the River Trothy. The upper, western, enclosure is roughly rectangular in plan and measures 54m NW/SE by 38m NE/SW. It is up to 7m high and defined by steep-sided banks that drop to the surrounding ditch on the W,S and E sides and to the river on the N side. It is probably of natural origin, enhanced by the digging of the ditch. The lower enclosure, possibly the Bailey, adjoins the upper enclosure on the SE side and measures 36m NE/SE by 60m NE/SW. The ditch measures between 3m and 5m wide and is up to 2.5m deep. There is a 5m wide causeway over the ditch on the SW side that probably represents an original entrance. Documentary evidence from Giraldus Cambrensis suggests that Dingestow was built in the early 1180s by Ranulf Poer, Sheriff of Herefordshire, before being destroyed in 1184. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Some poor quality walls were found during the 1969 excavation. A possible motte may actually be a collapsed tower. The motte and bailey at Mill Wood, on the opposite bank of the River Trothy, is usual described as a precursor site to this castle and earlier historical references may actual refer to that site.

- 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 ReferenceSO456104
Latitude51.7897491455078
Longitude-2.78924989700317
Eastings345600
Northings210440
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
Copyright Jonathan Billinger and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons license.View full Sized Image

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. 243 (listed)
  • Phillips, Neil, 2006, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (British Archaeological Reports) p. 182-3
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 146
  • Whittle, E., 1992, A Guide to Ancient and Historic Wales, Glamorgan and Gwent (London: Cadw HMSO) p. 94
  • Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p. 18
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 282-3
  • Fry, P.S., 1980, Castles of the British Isles (David and Charles) p. 348
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 166
  • Bradney, J.A., 1906, History of Monmouthshire Vol. 2 p. 53

Journals

  • Leslie, J.V., 1969, '62 Dingestow Castle', Archaeology in Wales Vol. 9 p. 28.
  • 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
  • Brown, R, Allen, 1959, 'A List of Castles, 1154–1216' English Historical Review Vol. 74 p. 249-280 (Reprinted in Brown, R. Allen, 1989, Castles, conquest and charters: collected papers (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p. 90-121) view online copy (subscription required)

Primary Sources

  • Giraldus Cambrensis, c.1188, Journey Through Wales view online transcription
  • Stubbs, Wm. (ed), 1867, Chronicle of the Reigns of Henry II and Richard I. A.D. 1169-1192 (London, Rolls Series 49) Vol. 1 p. 288 online copy

Other

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