Cosmeston Castle

Has been described as a Questionable Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameCosmeston Castle
Alternative NamesCoed y Cwm
Historic CountryGlamorgan
Modern AuthorityVale of Glamorgan
1974 AuthoritySouth Glamorgan
CommunitySully

Only traces remain of what is thought to have been a defensible medieval mansion, disused by C15. Limited excavations and examination of slight earthworks, bisected by a modern road, indicate a moated complex, some 50m NW-SE by at least 15m, with the principal house occupying the SE part of the site. Associated with the garden and dovecote, c.50m to the SW. (Coflein)

The enclosure and mound are not now recognisable in a pasture field within which there are a number of field banks, and grassed-over disused quarries.

Excavation revealed considerable deposits of destruction material dating to the second half of the C17. The tail of a clay bank was found underneath, C14 pottery was found in the bank material. (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust HER)

Gatehouse Comments

Angular enclosure of possible castle. Rejected as a castle by King who writes remains are non military, although the destruction of the site is fairly intensive. This site is called by Salter Coed y Cwm (repeated by Morgan), possibly a transcription error.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceST176689
Latitude51.4128189086914
Longitude-3.18611001968384
Eastings317640
Northings168920
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Davis, Paul, R., 2011, The Forgotten Castles of Wales (Almeley: Logaston Press) p. 101-108 (mention)
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 254 (listed as possible)
  • 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. 174 (reject)
  • Hague, D.B., 1971, in Pugh, T.B. (ed), Glamorgan County History Vol. 3 The Middle Ages (Cardiff) p. 439

Journals

  • Cardiff University, 2008, 'Medieval Britain and Ireland' Medieval Archaeology Vol. 52 online copy
  • Spurgeon, C.J. and Thomas, H.J., 1978, 'Medieval Glamorgan' Morgannwg Vol. 22 p. 25 online copy
  • Dowdell and Thomas, 1961, Archaeology in Wales Vol. 11 p. 24