Domen Gastell, Llandrinio

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Tomen Gastell

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

The remains of a roughly oval mound, c.30-35m in diameter and 0.6m high, are crossed by and thought to have been levelled for, the Severn embankment. A subrectangular, ditched enclosure, c.50m N-S by 30m, adjoins on the N, and is either overlain by, or abuts the embankment.
An archaeological assessment was carried out by CPAT in May 2000 in advance of the reconstruction of a section of the flood defence bank. Work consisted of a desk top study, a total station earthwork survey of the visible features and the excavation of 5 trenches. The results of the assessment confirmed the presence of the motte and bailey castle, with both above and below ground remains being recorded (Hankinson, R, 2000).

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SJ29441675

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 306988
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 1243 '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.

• Books
  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p246 [listed]
    Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p41
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p297
    Spurgeon, C.J., 1981, 'Moated sites in Wales' In Aberg, F.A. and Brown, A.E. Medieval Moated Sites in North-West Europe (British Archaeological Report: Oxford) p19-70
    RCAHMW, 1911, An Inventory of Ancient Monuments in Montgomeryshire (HMSO) p73 No361
• Journal Articles
  • Spurgeon, C.J., 1966, ‘The castles of Montgomeryshire’ Montgomeryshire Collections Vol58 p10
    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
    Thomas, D.R., 1894, 'History of the Parish of Llandrinio' Montgomeryshire Collections Vol28 p24-5
• Other sources, 'grey' literature, unpublished works, etc. (Theses, in-house reports and other such.)
  • Hankinson, R., 2000, Llandrinio Argae (Domen Gastell) Excavation: archaeological assesment (CPAT report)
    Silvester, R.J., 1992, Montgomeryshire Historic Settlements (CPAT report)