Wentloog Castle

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameWentloog Castle
Alternative NamesCastleton; Wentlloog; Castell Coch; Castell Behan; Remmi; Remni
Historic CountryMonmouthshire
Modern AuthorityNewport
1974 AuthorityGwent
CommunityMarshfield

Now incorporated into a garden, the steep-sided mound measures about 25m across at base, 12m across at top and 5m high. (Coflein)

Castle mound is 18ft high and has a flat top with a 40ft diameter. Stands on the grounds of a hotel. (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The site consists of a steep-sided flat-topped circular mound around 5m high, measuring around 25m in diameter across the base and 14m across the summit. The motte has been landscaped and turned into a garden feature, with a path created up the S side of the mound to the summit which has been levelled and a seating area and flower beds formed. The sides of the motte are covered in Rhododendrons and yew trees. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive practices. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Small motte said to be reduced in size. Possibly the Castell Coch in Wentloog and/or Castell Behan mentioned by Leland (Both these castles mentioned by Leland may be the same castle.) Suggested by Armitage as possible site of castle Remmi or Remni mentioned in Pipe Roll of 1184.

- 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 ReferenceST251834
Latitude51.5451698303223
Longitude-3.08092999458313
Eastings325130
Northings183470
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 244 (listed)
  • Prior, Stuart, 2006, A Few Well-Positioned Castles: The Norman Art of War (Tempus) p. 110-164
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 282, 289
  • Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p. 297n2 online copy
  • Coxe, William, 1801, An Historical Tour in Monmouthshire Vol. 1 p. 63

Antiquarian

  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1906, Leland's Itinerary in Wales  (Bell and Sons; London) p. 12 (Castell Behan) online copy
  • Toulmin-Smith, Lucy (ed), 1910, The itinerary of John Leland in or about the years 1535-1543 (Bell and Sons; London) Vol. 4 p. 84, 91 (Castell Coch in Wentloog) 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
  • Clark, G.T., 1875, 'Moated mounds' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 30 p. 69 online copy