Pen Twr Enclosure, Treflys (The Gatehouse Record)

Pen Twr Enclosure, Treflys

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Cwm Cowydd; Cefn Gardys

In the community of Treflys.
In the historic county of Brecknockshire.
Modern authority of Powys.
Preserved county of Powys.

OS Map Grid Reference: SN89605213
Latitude 52.15638° Longitude -3.61511°

Pen Twr Enclosure, Treflys has been described as a Timber Castle but is rejected as such.

There are earthwork remains.

Description

On PEN TWR above the E.-W. ridge CEFN GARDYS, 370 m above O.D., is a circular enclosure, probably a ring-cairn, 16.0m in internal diameter, surrounded by a bank of grass-grown earth and small stones 3.1-3.9m wide at the base and 0.3-0.8m high. The interior level rises in the form of a shallow dome slightly above that of the ground outside, but this elevation may be a natural feature. There is a short length (6.5m) of counterscarp bank 2.1m wide and 0.3m high, visible externally on the W. side. Within the N.W. quadrant is a level terrace, 6.5-7.0m wide externally. The site has no ditch, entrance or internal features. The bank is being eroded by sheep. It was first described by G.T.Clark in 1873. Clark placed it above 'Cwm Cowydd' and pointed out that it lay close to an old ridge-way, formerly an extremely important drovers' road. He also believed it to have been a dwelling site, and indeed, its true function will only be ascertained by excavation (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The Pen Twr Enclosure has been interpreted by some as as a ring cairn, although others have commented that it does not have the appearance of a prehistoric site. It is a circular and embanked enclosure, 16.7m in diameter internally, whose bank is 3.1m to 3.7m wide and 0.3m to 0.6m high. There is no trace of a ditch, entrance or internal features. (Coflein)

Comments

Earlier versions of the Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER identified this as a ? ringwork. Location clearly not that of a medieval castle and record probably represents a poor use of the term 'ringwork' rather than a genuine thought as to medieval date.

Sources of information, references and further reading

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s) for this site is/are 92.
The County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number(s) for this site is/are 1999.

Books
- RCAHMW, 1997, An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Brecknock (Brycheiniog); The Prehistoric and Roman Monuments, Part i
Periodical Articles
- Clark, G.T., 1873, 'Earthworks in Brecknockshire' The Archaeological Journal Vol. 30 p. 264-6 (Plan) online copy

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This record last updated before 1 February 2016

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