Coed Caeau, Waun Gunllwch

Description

A subcircular enclosure, 40m in diameter, set on the tip of a promontory above steep slopes, defined by a crescentic bank facing level ground, a ditch and counterscarp, with a ESE causewayed entrance. (Coflein)

Considered to be a ringwork by (Savory, H N, 1952; King, D J C & Alcock, L, 1966) though could equally well be a hillfort. (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The castle 'half ringwork', as it is described in Castellarium, is indeed a curious structure. ... Sheep digging into the counterscarp have literally unearthed some of the construction of the counterscarp, which may suggest that it was built in two or three sessions. At the lowest point some half way down the ditch the counterscarp was seen to consist of a fine grey clay. Above this is a whiter band of clay which is followed by a reversion to grey. On the very top of the bank it can be seen that there is much angular rubble. The appearance of this rubble only in the top two feet of the counterscarp may be indicative of masonry defences, perhaps a low mantlet wall on the exposed eastern front. (Remfry–online)

The monument consists of the remains of a castle ringwork, dating to the medieval period. The site comprises a sub-circular, univallate, enclosure measuring 85m in diameter. A V-shaped ditch, up to 4m deep encircles the site, with an outer bank, up to 1.25m high, visible around much of the circumference of the monument. A causeway crosses the ditch on the SE side, leading into the interior of the site which comprises a level platform 50m in diameter. The interior is enclosed by high banks to the N and S of the entrance which stand 6m above the base of the ditch and 2m high on the internal side. The northern internal bank extends for around 40 to the NNW, while the southern internal bank only extend for 20m. In the interior of the monument the ground is undulating which may be a result of erosion rather than an indication of internal features. (Scheduling Report)

Comments

The location appears isolated from medieval settlement and certainly appears to more that of an Iron Age site although this does not exclude medieval use. Certainly is generally accepted as a medieval ringwork. It is a little unclear what Remfry means by mantlet but the bank may have been revetted or topped with a drystone wall a technique available to both Iron Age and medieval builders. The question here is what was worth building a fortification to protect. An Iron Age farmstead is a distinct possibility, Remfry suggests the religious grange of Gwenddwr. Nothing suggests medieval farmstead. Perhaps this was a pure and simple military encampment, designed to protect the horses and equipment of the soldiers who did, from time to time, try to establish some presence and control in this contested area, although the water supply for the horses needs to be consider in this regard.