Gwerclas

Has been described as a Rejected Timber Castle (Motte)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameGwerclas
Alternative NamesLlangar, The Mount
Historic CountryMerioneth
Modern AuthorityDenbighshire
1974 AuthorityClwyd
CommunityCynwyd

This site was considered by the 1921 Commissioners to be a castle mound 5ft high, 60ft in diameter, but is rejected as such by Hogg and King as a barrow if anything. Marked on OS map as 'cairn'.

A circular mound set on the edge of a river terrace, 14m in diameter and 2.0m high, with kerbing noted on the E side. Set in a landscaped garden/park (Nprn265146), this is a rejected castle site, possibly adapted as prospect mound. (Coflein–J.Wiles 01.10.02)

Round cairn 2m high, 14m in diameter lying 91m east of Gwerclas house. It has a kerb of recumbent stones on its east side. RCAHM, 1921 thought this was a castle mound 5ft high, 60 ft diameter. CAR, 1971 - probable sepulchral nature indicated by kerb of large recumbent stones on one side. 14m diameter, 2m high. Field monument warden, 1989, reports 7 large kerb stones visible on east side and further stones lying W and SW of it. Site visit 4/1/99 Sited on level ground. Height 2m, diameter 14m (Denbighshire SMR report)

Gatehouse Comments

Is close to a ford but does seem to be fully rejected as a motte.

- 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 ReferenceSJ053421
Latitude52.968090057373
Longitude-3.41014003753662
Eastings305390
Northings342130
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 278
  • Bowen, E.G. and Gresham, C.A., 1967, History of Merioneth Vol. 1
  • RCAHMW, 1921, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Merionethshire (HMSO) p. 124-5 no. 397 (as motte) online copy

Journals

  • 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 (reject)
  • Hemp, W.J., 1951, 'Merionethshire cairns and barrows in Llandrillo and neighbouring parishes' Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies Vol. 14 p. 156 no. 4