Coed-Cwnwr Moat

Has been described as a Possible Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameCoed-Cwnwr Moat
Alternative NamesLlanllewell; Coidkynor
Historic CountryMonmouthshire
Modern AuthorityMonmouthshire
1974 AuthorityGwent
CommunityLlantrisant Fawr

The monument comprises the remains of a well-preserved medieval moated homestead. It consists of a roughly rectangular platform measuring 26m N/S by 32m E/W surrounded by a moat. The interior is slightly dished and slopes gently to the N. The ditch is up to 3m wide and 1.7m deep, and is flat bottomed and boggy in places, with small streams running N from the moat on the W and E sides. On the W side, towards the S end, is a 5m wide causeway leading across the moat and into the interior. (Scheduling Report)

A moat is located at the head of a stream valley, generally overlooked from surrounding ground and fed by small streams which appear to have caused some recent erosion.

The earthwork comprises a ditch enclosing a roughly 30m square area. The ditch averages 7m wide, 2m deep on the south but only 0.3m deep on the north. It is broken by a 6m wide causeway towards the south-west corner. In the south of the interior is a 14m wide platform, possibly constructed for a building though no traces of one survive. D.Leighton & J.Wiles 5 April 2016 (Coflein)

A roughly square earthwork labelled 'Camp' is shown on first Edition Ordnance Survey (OS) mapping (OS map).

Listed as Roman Camp, Llanllewell (old parish name) (Nash-Williams 1933)

Shown on OS as Roman camp, but is in fact a homestead moat of post-Norman date (Downman 1914).

The interior includes a 14m wide platform, which may have been constructed for a building, though no visible trace of such remains (Edwards 1957).

A well preserved moated site (Whittle 1987). (Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust Historic Environment Record)

The monument comprises the remains of a well-preserved medieval moated homestead. It consists of a roughly rectangular platform measuring 26m N/S by 32m E/W surrounded by a moat. The interior is slightly dished and slopes gently to the N

The ditch is up to 3m wide and 1.7m deep, and is flat bottomed and boggy in places, with small streams running N from the moat on the W and E sides. On the W side, towards the S end, is a 5m wide causeway leading across the moat and into the interior. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

In Llantrisant Fawr community although close to border with Llangwm community where the Coflein record incorrectly locates the site. The wood of 'Coidkynor' is recorded in the IPM of Edmund Mortimer (died 1381) "of the right and inheritance of Philippa, his wife, deceased." as part of the manor of Usk Castle. The place-name might be a reference to dogwood tree (gen. Cornus ) although 1381 would be an early use, alternatively this may have been a kennel site, suggesting the area was used for hunting rather than just as a woodland resource. Was this the site of a forester's house?

- 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 ReferenceST412994
Latitude51.6904907226563
Longitude-2.85110998153687
Eastings341260
Northings199428
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Journals

  • Nash-Williams, V.E., 1933, 'An Early Iron Age hillfort at Llanmelin, Monmouthshire' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 88 p. 237-346

Primary Sources

  • M. C. B. Dawes, A. C. Wood and D. H. Gifford, 1970, 'Inquisitions Post Mortem, Richard II, File 20', in Calendar of Inquisitions Post Mortem Volume 15, Richard II (London) p. 217-227 no. 558 online transcription