Tomen y Clawdd, Llantwit Fardre
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Tomen y Clawdd, Llantwit Fardre |
| Alternative Names | Llantwit Vaerdre; Coed y Twr; Monkey Tump |
| Historic Country | Glamorgan |
| Modern Authority | Rhondda Cynon Taff |
| 1974 Authority | Mid Glamorgan |
| Community | Llantwit Fardre |
Minor fortification or abandoned castle site. The circular motte is 3.3m high with a flat top 21m in diameter. It is surrounded by a ditch 6m to 8m wide and 1.7m deep. The ditch has several minor mutilations and infillings. No trace of a bailey was found. (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust HER)
Motte 3m high with encircling ditch now located in a housing estate. (Coflein)
A large earth mound, previously known as 'Coed-y-Twr' but today called 'Tomen-y-Clawdd' is the remains of a typical Norman motte and bailey castle. This had been built in this area to provide defence for the Taff valley against any Welsh chieftains who wished to attack the Normans. The earth mound has a flat top about 20 metres in diameter and the sides are covered with grass and trees, which makes it very attractive when the trees are in leaf. During the early years of the l0th (sic) century it still had a moat surrounding it, but today there is only a circular ditch covered with grass. The local inhabitants call it the 'Monkey Tump' and it used to be a popular place for children to play. But this is now discouraged as it is scheduled as an Ancient Monument. Today it is in the centre of the pleasant Oaklands Housing Estate and the residents there enjoy watching the changing colours of the trees. (The Glamorgan Village Book)
The monument comprises the remains of a motte 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. Tomen y Clawdd is situated at the confluence of two streams on high ground on the edge of the uplands. The uplands were under Welsh control and this area may have marked the northern limit of Norman control in this region. This earthwork castle consists of a motte with steep sides with a circular, flat top
The ditch is boggy in places and may have originally held water. (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 Reference | ST091864 |
| Latitude | 51.5697784423828 |
| Longitude | -3.31207990646362 |
| Eastings | 309160 |
| Northings | 186470 |
