Castell Aber Cafwy, Trefenty

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte Ringwork)

There are earthwork remains

NameCastell Aber Cafwy, Trefenty
Alternative NamesLlanfihangel Abercywyn; Abercowyn; Aber Taf; Aber Carwy; Aber Covwy; Aber Cafury; Oysterflow; Osterlow; Ystlwyf; Treventy
Historic CountryCarmarthenshire
Modern AuthorityCarmarthenshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunitySt Clears

Earthworks set along a hog-back ridge, with considerable slopes on the south, thought to represent a medieval castle, mentioned in 1116: a steep-sided oval mound, about 43m east-west by 34m, having an embanked summit area some 20m across, with a further oval, scarp-defined work, about 44m east-west by 27m, set immediately to the east. (Coflein)

A flat-topped, oval mound, c.43m E-W by 34m, the summit, c.20m E-W by 19m, having a further oval work, c.44m E-W by 27m, defined by scarps on the E. possibly mentioned in 1116 as Aber Cofwy. Near ruins of former parish church. Was caput of medieval Lordship of Osterlow (Ystlwyf)

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 ReferenceSN297135
Latitude51.7945289611816
Longitude-4.4718599319458
Eastings229700
Northings213540
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

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. 235 (listed)
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 58
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 35
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 46 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 57
  • Fry, P.S., 1980, Castles of the British Isles (David and Charles) p. 322
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 84
  • RCAHMW, 1917, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Carmarthenshire (HMSO) p. 128 no. 382 online copy

Journals

  • James, H.J., 1979, ‘Lower St Clears’, Archaeology in Wales Vol. 19 p. 37-8
  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol. 3 p. 90-127
  • 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

Primary Sources

  • Brut y Tywysogion (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)