Holywell Castle Mound

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameHolywell Castle Mound
Alternative NamesTreffynnon; Bryn y Castell; Treffynnawn; Basingwerk; Dinas Bassing
Historic CountryFlintshire
Modern AuthorityFlintshire
1974 AuthorityClwyd
CommunityHolywell

A densely overgrown castle mound measuring 20m (E-W) by 15m and 2.5m high. Set on a platform at the juncture of two dingles, overlooking St Winefride's Well this is an apparently ditchless mound. Identified with the castle built at "Treffynnawn" in 1210. (Coflein)

The monument comprises the remains of a presumed motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. Holywell Castle Mound consists of a 1.8m high mound at the northern end of a steep sided promontory. There are traces of a ditch on the southern side. Later garden features have disturbed the original form of the motte. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Burnt by Earl of Chester in 1209. Cottages were removed from the site about 1900. Also identified with Basingwork castle built 1157 and destroyed 1166 but King dismisses this and identifies either Hen Blas of Bryn Castell, a site at Basingwerk manor has also been proposed.

- 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 ReferenceSJ185763
Latitude53.2772903442383
Longitude-3.22254991531372
Eastings318570
Northings376300
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image
Copyright Dave Barlow of Abaroths World All Rights ReservedView full Sized Image

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 238 (listed)
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 80
  • Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles of North Wales (Malvern) p. 87 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 153, 155
  • Fry, P.S., 1980, Castles of the British Isles (David and Charles) p. 358-9
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 206
  • RCAHMW, 1912, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Flintshire (HMSO) p. 43 no. 123 online copy
  • Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p. 267 online copy
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy
  • Pennant, T., 1795, History of Whitford and Holywell

Journals

  • Swallow, Rachel, 2016, 'Cheshire Castles of the Irish Sea Cultural Zone' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 173.2 p. 288-341
  • King, D.J.Cathcart, 1972, 'The Field Archaeology of mottes; Eine kurze übersicht' Château Gaillard Vol. 5 p. 101-112
  • 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

  • Brut y Tywysogion 1210 (Several transcriptions and translations exist the best being Jones, T., 1952, Brut Y Twysogion (University of Wales, History and Law series 11)–based on the Peniarth MS 20 version. There is a flawed translation Williams ab Ithel, John, 1860, Brut Y Twysogion or The Chronicle of the Princes (Rolls Series) online copy)
  • The Great Roll of the Pipe for the fourteenth year of the reign of King John,: Michaelmas 1212 (Pipe Roll Society 68)