Plas Cadwgan Mound

Description

Cadwgan Hall mound is part natural hillock and part earthwork, situated within a small field, lying to the east of a section of Offa's Dyke (DE132). The mound is approximately 42m in diameter and 2.5m high, with the remains of an air-raid shelter cut into the north-west slope of the site. A slight hollow on its west side may be the trace of a ditch. A hoard of armour is traditionally said to have been dug out of the mound. (Coflein ref. Cadw scheduling description. RCAHMW/F.Foster 08.05.2008)

Large mound situated at North edge of knoll about 42m in diameter 2.5m high. Offa's Dyke adjacent to west. Possibly natural. A hoard of armour is traditionally said to have been dug from it. An association with the Dyke is possible. A large earthen mound (5.5m high, 50m dia), apparently the result of excavating material between its west side and the bank of Offa's Dyke, creating a hollow between them. There is no trace of an encircling ditch. On the S and SE sides it has been cut back and its original form can not be seen. It has a flat top. Relationship between the mound and the Medieval structures at Plas Cadwgan is uncertain. Possible that Plas Cadwgan may have occupied the bailey if this was a Medieval motte. It does not resemble a burial mound or a windmill mound. CPAT site visit 28/7/99 - extremely large mound partly utilising a natural spur. Mound has been cut into by farm track on S side, also extending round SE side. Height on S side c.2.5-3m; on N side possibly as much as 6m to base of slope on lower side of spur. World War 2 air raid shelter built into W side. Offa's Dyke runs N-S along field boundary 8m to west. The suggestion that mound material was excavated from E side of the dyke is highly improbable. Location has good visibility all around. The large size suggests a motte rather than a barrow. No trace of ditch or bailey, but due to the topography this would have to lie to S under the area of the farm. Note that air raid shelter is dangerous and in need of demolition/infill (CPAT 1999). Considered to be a natural mound or a Bronze Age barrow by Spurgeon (Manley, J, Grenter, S & Gale, F, 1991, pp171). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. Cadwgan Hall mound is part natural hillock and part earthwork, situated within a small field, lying to the east of a section of Offa's Dyke (DE132). The mound is approximately 42m in diameter and 2.5m high, with the remains of an air-raid shelter cut into the north-west slope of the site. A slight hollow on its west side may be the trace of a ditch. A hoard of armour is traditionally said to have been dug out of the mound. (Scheduling Report)

Comments

Although accepted as a early castle in 1963 the site was rejected as a castle by Hogg and King in 1970. In CA King writes "Likely to be natural, or possibly a barrow." Scheduled as a Motte. Position, on the English side of Offa's Dyke, where a stream and road cross the Dyke, a similar situation to some other mottes on the Dyke. Presumably the lack of encircling ditch was King's reason for dismissing the site but seems likely that this mound (natural rather than barrow) could have been adapted as a motte.