Tomen Gastell, Bala (The Gatehouse Record)

Tomen Gastell, Bala

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Tomen y Castell; Hen Hafod; Llanfor

In the community of Llandderfel.
In the historic county of Merioneth.
Modern authority of Gwynedd.
Preserved county of Gwynedd.

OS Map Grid Reference: SH95043722
Latitude 52.92219° Longitude -3.56252°

Tomen Gastell, Bala has been described as a probable Timber Castle.

There are earthwork remains.

Description

A roughly circular mound set hard by the point where the road east of Bala crosses the Nant Meloch and washed by its waters and those of a tributary, on the north and east sides. The mound has been identified as a castle mount, although it is more often thought to be a natural feature. The mound is about 50m across and 4.0-5.0m high with a level summit some 18-20m across. Where it is not fringes by streams the mound is bordered by the road on the south and a garden on the west, so that there is no trace of a ditch, if this existed. (Coflein–John Wiles 10.07.07)

This is a small mound placed in the fork formed by the junction of a small stream with the river Meloch, on the north side of the modern high road between Bala and Corwen. It stands from 12 to 15 feet high, and is about 60 feet in diameter at the top. There are no signs of an attached court or ditch, but it has so obviously suffered mutilation that these features may have been swept away. Pont Tomen gastell has replaced a bridge which in Edward Lhuyd's time (c.1700) was called 'Pont rhyd y Ffraink,' a name which attests the character and era of the adjoining mound (RCAHMW, 1921). A large mound, entirely natural and showing no signs of ever having been used as a motte. No bailey could ever have existed (Hemp, W.J., 1943). Natural mound, partly shaped (on N & E sides) by streams. A garden has been constructed on the west slope and landscaped (soil added). Any ditch here would have been destroyed by building of a house and outbuildings (OS). (Gwynedd Archaeological Trust HER)

Comments

This is a natural mound with some question as to if it was adapted for use as a small motte. The location would be useful as a taxation point or, arguably, as an outwork or observation post for Bala. If used in this sort of way the lack of a bailey (or a slight bailey now lost) might not be significant. However it may just be a natural mound the location of which has mislead some writers.

Sources of information, references and further reading

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s) for this site is/are 406424.
The County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number(s) for this site is/are 3231.

Websites (Gatehouse is not responsible for the content of external websites.)
- Jeff Thomas's Castles of Wales
Books
- Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 255 (listed as possible)
  King, D.J.C. with Kenyon, J.R., 2001, 'The Castles: a Study in Military Architecture' in Smith J.B. and Smith L.B. (eds), History of Merioneth Vol. 2 p. 413
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 277
  RCAHMW, 1921, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Merionethshire (HMSO) p. 117 no. 363 online copy
Periodical Articles
- Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
  Renn, D.F., 1959, 'Mottes: a classification' Antiquity Vol. 33 p. 106-12

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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.

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This record last updated before 1 February 2016

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