The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Llandderfel (St Derfel's Chapel)

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 00106g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Fairwater
Unitary authority : Torfaen
NGR : ST26399530
Site Type (preferred type first) : Medieval Church
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
A chapel site, first mention is of a David as chaplain of 'Llanderfol in 1412. An L-shaped building in a curvilinear enclosure.

Description :
A chapel site, first mention is of a David as chaplain of 'Llanderfol in 1254 (Arch Camb 1889 p 112). Mentioned as Capella Sti Dervalli in 1535 Valor Ecclesiasticus (Brook 1988, 79), one of the possessions of Llantarnam. Pilgrimage chapel with tavern (Williams 2001, 151, 304-5 no.71)
Building standing in enclosed mountain pasture; surveyed by Kay and Porter in 1948, when a partly curvilinear (pear-shaped) enclosure was recorded with an L-shaped building within it (Williams 1976, 76). The remains consist of grass and bracken covered banks of stone and earth c0.7m high, with entrance visible in the E wing. Williams (1976, 81) notes that 'some tiles and traces of interments were discovered during cursory excavation' c1933. It was reputed to contain a relic of the saint.
Bradney (1923, 247) reports a tradition that it was founded in the 6th century by the legendary warrior Derfel Gadarn. Scheduling citation (no refs) says that it fell out of use in the latter half of the 12th century (IS THIS MONMOUTHSHIRE MEDLAY vol 1 1974?}; Rees's map of South Wales and the Border in 14th century marks it extant in the 14th century. Arch Camb 1895 4th ser.V6.p96 notes it as being mentioned in LL as a chapelry of Basseleg, but this is not accepted by any subsequent authority.
Building stands in enclosed mountain pasture. Remains consist of grass & bracken covered banks of stone & earth ca. 0.7m high. Entrance visible in the E.wing. (Source 01) Brook (loc cit) notes a partially curved enclosure. Scheduled as a relatively undisturbed small medieval church site.
Evans 2003: GGAT 73 Early-Medieval Ecclesiastical Sites Project database.

Scheduled pilgrimage cell, tavern and enclosure, with possible late 11th or early 12th century origin. Postulated as a chapel for nearby grange or perhaps the site of the grange farm itself. It is possibly also the site of an early medieval church (Procter 2018). Associated with Llantarnam Abbey.



Sources :
Bradney, J A , 1923 , A history of Monmouthshire. Vol III pt ii; The Hundred of Usk (part2)
Brook, D , 1988 , The early Christian church in Gwent , Monmouthshire Antiquary : 5 : 67-84
Evans, E M , 2003 , Early Medieval Ecclesiastical sites in Southeast Wales: Desk based assessment
Procter, E. , 2018 , The topographical legacy of the medieval monastery: evolving perceptions and realities of monastic landscapes in the southern Welsh Marches
Williams D.H. , 1967 , Llantarnam Abbey , Monmouthshire Antiquary : 2 pt.3 : 131
Williams, D , 1984 , The Welsh Cistercians (2nd edn)
Williams, D H , 1976 , White monks in Gwent and the borders
Williams, D H , 2001 , The Welsh Cistercians
Evans EM, 2003-04, GGAT 73 Early Medieval Ecclesiastical Sites Project
06/PM Desc Text//Edwards DAW//Monmouthshire Medley/V1.p35
07/MM Desc Text//Williams DH/1984/The Welsh Cistercians/V1.p180
04/PM Map//Rees W/1932/S.Wales & Border in 14th Cnt/
01/MM Record Card/OS//1957/ST 29 NE 9/
03/PH Desc Text///1895/1895/Arch Camb/4th ser.V6.p96
05/PM Desc Text//Williams D H/1967/Monm Ant/V2.Pt3.p131
02/PM Desc Text//Bradney J/1923/Hist of Monm/V3.p247

Events :
E001386 : Early medieval ecclesiastical sites in Southeast Wales desk based assessment (year : 2003)
E002383 : Uplands Survey Mynydd Maen and Mynydd Henllys, Gwent SUR (year : 1997)

Related records
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 00624g
GGAT Historic Environment Record (HER) 12211g
National Monuments Record NPRN 96025 https://coflein.gov.uk/en/site/307835/details/llandderfel-chapel

Compiled date : 12-03-2004


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