Erddig Castle, Wrexham

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Wrecsam; Erthcote; Wristleham; Wristlesham

In the community of Marchwiel. In the historic county of Denbighshire (Modern authority of Wrexham, preserved county of Clwyd).

Motte and bailey appears to have been constructed in part by utilising a natural promontory which was carved by deep ditches to form a defensive site. The motte survives to a height of 5.75m, with a diameter of 44m at the base and 17m at the top. This is separated from the bailey by a broad ditch 36m wide. The bailey has two entrances, one opposite the motte and the other at the south-west corner. Along the southern side the bailey is defended by a substantial ditch 34m wide and up to 8.5m deep. Rounded projections at the corners of the bailey and along the southern side may have been associated with towers. Wat's Dyke, which runs along the western side of the site, has been used as an additional defence forming a ditch up to 18m wide.Little is known of the history of the site, although it may be 'Wrislesham', referred to in the sheriff's annual accounts of 1161.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SJ32724865

Air Photo from Air Photo and general mapping	1st edition OS Map from Mid to late 19th century maps
Modern Map from Landscape form and features	Modern Map from General location and route planning
Geograph British Isles occasionally has photos of the site and will usually give an idea of the surrounding landscape.

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's National Monument Record (Coflein) number is 307144
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 101235; 40801 [NT SMR] 'grey' literature, such as watching brief reports, held by H.E.R.s is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded in this website.

• Web site links
  • http://www.cpat.org.uk/projects/recent/summary.htm#803
    http://www.ecastles.co.uk/erddig.html
• Books
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p237 [listed]
    Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p69
    Salter, Mike, 1997, The Castles of North Wales (Malvern) p86
    Burnham, H., 1995, A Guide to Ancient and Historic Wales: Clwyd and Powys (Cadw, London)
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p103
    Fry, P.S., 1980, Castles of the British Isles (David and Charles) p383
    Renn, D.F., 1973 (2edn), Norman Castles of Britain (John Baker)
    Lowe, W.Bezant, 1927, The Heart of North Wales (Llanfairfechan) Vol2 p227-8
    RCAHMW, 1914, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Denbighshire (HMSO) p54
    Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p268-9
    Palmer, A.N., 1903, History of the country townships of the old parish of Wrexham
    Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.asp?compid=47824#s6
• Journal Articles
  • Jones. N. 1999. ‘Erddig Motte and Bailey’. Archaeology in Wales Vol39 p131-2
    King, D.J.C., 1973, ‘Erddig motte and bailey’, The 120th Annual Meeting in Wrexham and District, 1973, CAA p34
    Price, 1967, Denbighshire History Society Vol16 p10-14, 20-1
    Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol112 p77-124
    Brown, R, Allen, 1959, 'A List of Castles, 1154–1216' English Historical Review Vol74 p249-280 [Reprinted in Brown, R. Allen, 1989, Castles, conquest and charters: collected papers (Woodbridge: Boydell Press) p90-121] http://links.jstor.org/sici?sici=0013-8266%28195904%2974%3A291%3C249%3AALOC1%3E2.0.CO%3B2-P
• Other sources, 'grey' literature, unpublished works, etc. (Theses, in-house reports and other such.)
  • Christopher Gallagher, 2000, Erddig: a Survey of the Landscape, National Trust Report