Domen Fawr, Tafolwern

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Walwerin; Walwern; Waluernia; Walwar; Talfolwern

In the community of Llanbrynmair. In the historic county of Montgomeryshire (Modern authority of Powys, preserved county of Powys).

Low-lying motte between Afon Twymyn and Afon Rhiw Saeson (which may have been dammed to form moats) was probably built by Owain Cyfeiliog, who was granted Cyfeiliog commote in 1149 by his uncle Madog ap Maredudd. When the latter died in 1160, his relatives quarrelled among themselves and in the confusion Cyfeiliog was taken over by Owain Gwynedd. The castle, which formed the chief seat of the commote, was captured in 1162 by Hywel ap Ieuaf, Lord of Arwystli. Owain raided Arwystli, defeated Hywel, and rebuilt Talfolwern Castle. It was occupied by Owain's son Gwenwynwyn in the later C12 and is last mentioned when Owain's grandson Gruffydd was isolated there in 1244 by a Welsh army because of his support for Henry III, and John le Strange wrote to the King urging his help.
Motte, 6m high and 40m diameter at base, 29m at top. It stands at the confluence of the rivers Iaen and Twymyn with the bailey built on an interfluvial spit65m by 50m. A step 2m by 2m cut into the north of the motte. Now damaged by modern road.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SH89100263

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 303321
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 1309 '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.castlewales.com/talforn.html
• Books
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p246 [listed]
    Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p52
    Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p152
    Davis, Paul R., 1988, Castles of the Welsh Princes (Swansea)
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p300
    Renn, D.F., 1973 (2edn), Norman Castles of Britain (John Baker)
    Armitage, Ella, 1912, The Early Norman Castles of the British Isles (London: John Murray) p301
    RCAHMW, 1911, An Inventory of Ancient Monuments in Montgomeryshire (HMSO) p65 No311
• Journal Articles
  • Spurgeon, C.J., 1966, ‘The castles of Montgomeryshire’ Montgomeryshire Collections Vol58 p10-11
    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
    Williams, 1888, Montgomeryshire Collections Vol22 p313
• Other sources, 'grey' literature, unpublished works, etc. (Theses, in-house reports and other such.)
  • Owen, W.G., 1996, Llandinam-Llanwrin Pipeline - Stage 2: archaeological assessment (CPAT report)