Cae Castell, Llechart

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameCae Castell, Llechart
Alternative NamesRhyndwyclydach; Nant Llwydyn
Historic CountryGlamorgan
Modern AuthoritySwansea
1974 AuthorityWest Glamorgan
CommunityMawr

Rhyndwyclydach is a rectangular earthwork enclosure, c.21m across, on ground falling generally to the SSE, resting above steep natural scarps on the NE, elsewhere ditched about; an irregular rampart, rising up to 4.7m above the ditch, occupies the N part of the enclosure, facing rising ground: thought to be a medieval castle, the site has no recorded history. (Coflein Ref. RCAHMW, 1991)

This quite singular earthwork might have a slight affinity with the motte and bailey, if the elevated NW angle were taken to be the intended strong-point of the site. Its square form virtually discounts any possibility that it represents an unfinished motte; square mottes are extremely rare in Britain. No record of this site is known, but its high altitude and remote situation, deep in Gower Wallicana and far from any known manorial centre, suggests it was the work of a medieval Welsh lord. (RCAHMW 1991)

The monument consists of the remains of an earthwork probably dating to the medieval period. Square in plan, it measures approx. 18 x 21m and is situated 183m above OD on the western edge of a deep ravine. Interestingly, it lies within a field recorded on early tithe maps as 'Cae castell' - castle field. The west, south and north sides are enclosed by a broad shallow ditch with bank. The east side is defined by the edge of the ravine. (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 ReferenceSN694047
Latitude51.7257194519043
Longitude-3.89124989509583
Eastings269410
Northings204730
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Davis, Paul R., 2007, Castles of the Welsh Princes (Y Lolfa) p. 104
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 111
  • < >RCAHMW, 1991, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Glamorgan Vol. 3 Part 1a: The Early Castles (London: HMSO) < > UW2 p. 142-3
  • Davis, Paul R., 1988, Castles of the Welsh Princes (Swansea)
  • Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p. 75 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 168

Journals

  • Spurgeon, Jack, 1987, 'The Castles of Glamorgan' Château Gaillard Vol. 13 p. 207
  • Spurgeon, C.J. and Thomas, H.J.,1980, 'Cae Castell, Rhyndwyclydach', Archaeology in Wales Vol. 20 p. 71, 73
  • Spurgeon, C.J. and Thomas, H.J., 1978, 'Medieval Glamorgan' Morgannwg Vol. 22 p. 20 online copy
  • 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