The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Llanvair Castle, Caerwent

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00996g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Caerwent
Unitary authority : Monmouthshire
NGR : ST44579241
Site Type (preferred type first) : Medieval Castle
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
The castle sits on a wooded hillside directly above the parish church of St. Mary in the village of Llanvair Discoed, near Caerwent. A series of overgrown earthworks and substantial fragments of masonry walls, all unconsolidated and over-run with tree roots. A private house and garden occupies part of the castle enclosure. (Davis 2010)

Description :
The castle sits on a wooded hillside directly above the parish church of St. Mary in the village of Llanvair Discoed, near Caerwent. A series of overgrown earthworks and substantial fragments of masonry walls, all unconsolidated and over-run with tree roots. A private house and garden occupies part of the castle enclosure.

The castle is built upon a shelf sloping down from the main upland of Grey Hill towards the Caerwent plain. The southern quadrant of the site is protected by a ditch and counterscarp bank which is damaged by a later quarry, and the ditch on the east side is less preserved.

The earthworks form two separate enclosures, including the upper/west enclosure which is a roughly D-shaped platform occupied by a modern house and garden that has removed all early features except from a low curtain wall and the base of a round tower on the south flanks.

The second enclosure, the lower or east enclosure, has the main visible stonework of the castle and is subdivided into two walled courtyards. There is a noticeable difference in ground level between the east and west enclosures. For further information please see PRN file. (Davis 2010)

Phillips notes that Llanfair Discoed castle was part of a network of six castles surrounding Wentwood thought to have been constructed in order to ‘keep the natives in check. Located on private land, the castle is very overgrown and is interpreted as a masonry castle with no sign of the existence of a motte (Phillips 2004).

Sources :
Davis, P. R , 2009 , Llanvair Discoed castle, Monmouthshire
Phillips, N. , 2004 , Thesis: Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050 - 1250

Events :
E004063 : Earthwork Castles of Gwent and Ergyng AD 1050 - 1250 (year : 2004)
E007242 : High Status Settlement in Glamorgan and Gwent (year : 2010)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 93409

Compiled date : 02-05-1988


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