Graig Fawr, Dyserth (The Gatehouse Record)

Graig Fawr, Dyserth

In the community of Dyserth.
In the historic county of Flintshire.
Modern authority of Denbighshire.
Preserved county of Clwyd.

OS Map Grid Reference: SJ05958039
Latitude 53.31205° Longitude -3.41320°

Graig Fawr, Dyserth has been described as a Timber Castle although is doubtful that it was such, and also as a Masonry Castle although is doubtful that it was such.

There are uncertain remains.

Description

Possible site of castle mentioned in 1241 as foundation of Henry III "near Rothelan". Visit 20.3.92 did not reveal the site (Latham, J 1992, 6). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER 17813)

Series of banks on SE neck of Graig Fawr, probably combination of stock enclosures natural ridges and quarries. Seen by Beer as promontory fort, and Parry as the documented 1st Dyserth castle. Both unlikely.
Extensive area of irregular shaped banks of varying height, but no more than 2m. Some of the banks have been destroyed by late activity such as quarrying. (CCC, 1982)
Probable field system covering about 4 hectares. Banks with stone core and turf covering. Predate mining (Latham, J 1992,7). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER 102191)

Comments

Said to be site of false start for castle, that mentioned in 1241 as founded by Henry III 'near Rothelan'. Graig Fawr is a complex archaeological site with much use in many periods including multiperiod metal ore mining presumably with associated spoil tips. This site is doubtful. Confusion is added by there being two listing in the HER for a castle site here one at SJ05958039 and another at SJ06188020.

Sources of information, references and further reading

The County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number(s) for this site is/are 17813; 10219141373*0 [NT SMR].

Websites (Gatehouse is not responsible for the content of external websites.)
- Jeff Thomas's Castles of Wales
Books
- Reid, Alan, 1998, Castles of Wales (John Jones Publishing)
  Latham, J., 1992, The National Trust Archaeological Survey. Graig Fawr. Dyserth. Clwyd (National Trust) (as field system)
  Davies, E., 1949, Prehistoric and Roman Remains of Flint (Cardiff)
Periodical Articles
- Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1967, 'Masonry castles in Wales and the Marches: a list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 116 p. 71-132
  Parry, E.H., 1953, 'Day excursion to Caergwrle' Proceedings of the Dyserth District Field Club p. 24 (as castle)
  Anon, 1952, 'May 24th 1952 Walk: Allt y Graig' Proceedings of the Dyserth and District Field Club p. 23-6
  Beer, A.W., 1915, 'Meliden Church. The earthworks on Craig Fawr' Proceedings of the Dyserth District Field Club p. 54 (as Promontory fort)
  Edwards, T., 1912, 'Abergele meeting report' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 67 p. 117-21, 263
Other sources: Theses; 'grey' literature; in-house reports; unpublished works; etc.
- John Latham, 1992, National Trust Archaeological Survey of Graig Fawr, Dyserth, Clwyd (unpublished)

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The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.

Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.
Minor archaeological investigations, such as watching brief reports, and some other 'grey' literature is most likely to be held by H.E.R.s but is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded here, or elsewhere, but some suggestions can be found here.

The possible site or monument is represented on maps as a point location. This is a guide only. It should be noted that OS grid references defines an area, not a point location. In practice this means the actual center of the site or monument may often, but not always, be to the North East of the point shown.
Locations derived from OS grid references and from latitude longitiude may differ by a small distance.
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This record last updated before 1 February 2016

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