Bank Farm Enclosure, Berriew

Has been described as a Rejected Timber Castle (Ringwork)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameBank Farm Enclosure, Berriew
Alternative NamesFfridd Penthryn
Historic CountryMontgomeryshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityBerriew

Triangular hillslope enclosure 50m ne-sw by 60m takes form of platform cut into hill and bounded by slight bank and ditch (OS, 1980). Site levelled circa 1970 (Spurgeon, C J, 1972; OS, 1981). Mis-classified by RCAHM, 1911. Degraded earthwork, interior platformed perhaps artificially. (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER categorised as Iron Age Hillfort)

Gatehouse Comments

Listed as early castle by Hogg and King in 1963 but rejected as 'natural mound' in 1970. King rejects in 1983 as too small to have ever been castle earthworks. Spurgeon, in 1966, rejected as gone, motte unlikely. Shows as small circular enclosure on 1st edition OS map and the outline of this is still visible on aerial photo. Nothing about the location suggests medieval occupation. As reported was consistent in size to many ringworks, but more likely to be Iron Age defended farmstead than anything else. King's description of a natural mound suggests by the time he saw the site it was so damaged as to be unidentifiable on the ground.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSJ158032
Latitude52.6208686828613
Longitude-3.24415993690491
Eastings315880
Northings303290
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

  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 301 (reject)
  • RCAHMW, 1911, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Montgomeryshire (HMSO) p. 5 no. 16 online copy

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1970, 'Castles in Wales and the Marches (Additions and corrections to lists published in 1963 and 1967)' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 119 p. 119-124
  • Spurgeon, C.J., 1966, ‘The castles of Montgomeryshire’ Montgomeryshire Collections Vol. 59 p. 57 (reject) online copy
  • 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