Dinham Castle

Has been described as a Possible Masonry Castle

There are masonry ruins/remnants remains

NameDinham Castle
Alternative NamesCestilldinan
Historic CountryMonmouthshire
Modern AuthorityMonmouthshire
1974 AuthorityGwent
CommunityCaerwent

A collection of stone building remains and enclosures resting above the slopes of a combe to the west, set in and around a round-ended walled enclosure, some 58m east-west by 28m: some of the remains have been interpreted as being those of a tower, however there is nothing in the site plan to suggest a castle. (RCAHMW)

The ruins of a small, square keep, similar to that at Penhow Castle, and other walls, assigned to the C13, within a wood. (Newman)

The monument consists of the remains of a castle, dating to the medieval period. The castle is situated in woodland on the E side of a small valley with a steep drop to the valley bottom on the W and S sides. On the N side, below the castle, is a wide shallow ditch 0.5m deep, which runs NW down the slope. On parts of the inners side low footings of a wall are visible. The castle itself is situated on the top of the slope to the W and S, 3m above the ditch. At the N end of the site are the remains of a rectangular stone-built building measuring 14m N/S by 7m, containing two rooms. To the S of the rectangular building is a T-shaped wall standing up to 1.8m high. This is rubble-built and has been spread. On the S side of the wall is a level platform, and on the S side of the platform are the remains of a second rectangular structure. On the E side of the site are faint traces of a bank. The history of the site is obscure, although it is known that there was a church on this location in the 12th century. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Gatehouse thanks Guy Hamilton for pointing out a previous erroneous description of this site and the error in the Castles of Wales site description. Phillips records the site as entirely overgrown, but that the history suggests a small masonry castle or tower 'built to ensure the rights of the forest' of Wentwood. No evidence of an earlier timber castle.

- 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 ReferenceST480923
Latitude51.6275405883789
Longitude-2.75215005874634
Eastings348020
Northings192340
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

  • Davis, Paul, R., 2011, The Forgotten Castles of Wales (Almeley: Logaston Press) p. 156-57
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 243 (listed)
  • Kenyon, J.R., 2008, 'Masonry Castles and Castle-building' in R. Griffiths, T. Hopkins and R. Howell (eds), The Gwent County History (Cardiff: University of Wales Press) Vol. 2 The Age of the Marcher Lords, c. 1070-1536 p. 89-114
  • Prior, Stuart, 2006, A Few Well-Positioned Castles: The Norman Art of War (Tempus) p. 110-164
  • Phillips, Neil, 2006, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (British Archaeological Reports) p. 184-5
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 146
  • Newman, John, 2000, Buildings of Wales; Gwent/Monmouthshire p. 362
  • Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing) p. 76
  • Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p. 18
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 283
  • Fry, P.S., 1980, Castles of the British Isles (David and Charles)
  • Bradney, J.A., 1906, History of Monmouthshire Vol. 4 p. 176-7
  • Mackenzie, J.D., 1897, Castles of England (Heinemann) Vol. 2 p. 81 online copy
  • Morgan and Wakeman, 1858, Notes on Ecclesiastical Remains of Runston (Mon. and Caerleon Ant. Assn.) p. 23-5 online copy
  • Barber, J.T., 1803, A Tour Throughout South Wales and Monmouthshire (London: T. Cadell and W. Davies) p. 227-8
  • Coxe, W., 1801, An Historical Tour in Monmouthshire (London) Vol. 1 p. 29

Journals

  • 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

Primary Sources

  • Rees, W. (ed), 1840, Liber Landavensis p. 32, 43, 571, 584 online copy

Other

  • Phillips, Neil, 2005, Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050-1250 (PhD Thesis University of Sheffield) Download