Hen Blas

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameHen Blas
Alternative NamesBasingwerk; Dinas Bassing; Coleshill Fawr; Coleshill Castle
Historic CountryFlintshire
Modern AuthorityFlintshire
1974 AuthorityClwyd
CommunityBagillt

At the intersection of two steep valleys is the site of a castle which shows, by the earthworks which remain, that it once had an inner ward and a large outer enclosure, a formation perhaps developed from a very early motte and bailey castle. Its history is unknown, but in 1244 a wooden castle was documented as being "at Coleshill" which is less than half a mile away. (Reid)

There is mention of a castle being built in this location in 1157 and captured in 1166. The physical remains include an enclosure approximately 48m north-south by 50m east-west sited on a spur-end beween two streams flowing from west to east. It is defined by a ditch on the west and elsewhere by steep natural slopes. On the west is an outer enclosure 72m north-south by 78m, again ditched on the west. Excavations concluded in 1957 demonstrated that an earthwork castle was replaced by a 'fortified manorhouse' in the early thirteenth century which was itself abandoned in the late fourteenth century. (Coflein)

Motte and bailey built 1157. Motte predominantly levelled in late 13th cent for timber buildings within a pallisade. Excavations concluded in 1957. Site bounded on N and S by steep sided ravine. (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument consists of the remains of a castle, dating to the medieval period. A castle is a defended residence or stronghold, built mainly of stone, in which the principal or sole defence comprises the walls and towers bounding the site. The monument consists of the remains of an enclosure approximately 48m north-south by 50m east-west sited on a spur-end between two streams flowing from west to east. The enclosure is defined by a ditch on the west and elsewhere by steep natural slopes. On the west is an outer enclosure 72m north-south by 78m, again ditched on the west. There is mention of a castle being built in this location in 1157 and captured in 1166

Excavations concluded in 1957 demonstrated that an earthwork castle was replaced by a fortified manor house in the early thirteenth century which was itself abandoned in the late fourteenth century. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Castle possibly that built 1157 and captured 1166 (Basingwerk or Dinas Bassing - also identified with Holywell and Bryn Castell). In the 1970 addition and corrections article Hogg and King write later occupation of site not military. They also place the wooden castle mentioned in 1244 at Bryn y Cwn Motte (SJ238714).

- 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 ReferenceSJ221734
Latitude53.2522811889648
Longitude-3.16880011558533
Eastings322160
Northings373450
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

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. 238 (listed)
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 80
  • Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing) p. 93
  • Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles of North Wales (Malvern) p. 74
  • Higham, R. and Barker, P., 1992, Timber Castles (Batsford) p. 358
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 153 Vol. 2 p. 559
  • Fry, P.S., 1980, Castles of the British Isles (David and Charles) p. 325
  • Davey, P.J., and Morgan, D.E.M., 1977, ‘Hen Blas’, in P J Davey (ed), Medieval Pottery from Excavations in the North West (Institute of Extension Studies (Liverpool)) p. 42-7
  • Renn, D.F., 1973 (2 edn.), Norman Castles of Britain (London: John Baker) p. 104
  • Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p. 267 online copy
  • RCAHMW, 1912, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Flintshire (HMSO) p. 17-18 no. 61 online copy

Journals

  • Swallow, Rachel, 2016, 'Cheshire Castles of the Irish Sea Cultural Zone' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 173.2 p. 288-341
  • Thompson, M.W., 1986, 'Associated monasteries and castles in the Middle Ages: a tentative list' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 143 p. 311
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1970, 'Castles in Wales and the Marches (Additions and corrections to lists published in 1963 and 1967)' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 119 p. 119-124
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1967, 'Masonry castles in Wales and the Marches: a list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 116 p. 71-132
  • 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
  • Lloyd, G.B., 1960, ‘Excavations at Hen Blas. Coleshill Fawr. Near Flint’ Flintshire Historical Society Journal Vol. 18 p. 13-60 online copy
  • 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)
  • Leach, G.B., 1957, ‘Excavations at Hen Blas. Coleshill Fawr. Near Flint’ Flintshire Historical Society Journal Vol. 17 p. 1-15 online copy

Primary Sources