Hen Domen, Llansantffraid Deuddwr

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Coed Mawr

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

Mound damaged by badgers. On a gentle summit. Stratified construction, perhaps erected on a barrow. Not in a likely position for a motte and doubtful in my view. "At a little distance, almost hidden from view, it lies on the south side of the Gelli ridge, apparently at first sight in a hollow, but really in an elevated position. The crown of the elevation has been levelled, and on the platform thus formed is the tumulus, once encircled by a ditch, which, except on the west side, is now entirely obliterated by successive ploughings. Supposing it to have been a post of observation in connection with the large encampment on Bryn-Mawr, exactly one mile distant to the north east, it would have been impossible to have selected a spot of its slight elevation commanding such an extent of mountain and lowland country, and so suitable for transmitting signals of danger, either by fire or otherwise. The following points, crowned with encampments, are visible from this post: Mathrafal, Moel Bentyrch, Cyfronydd, Cefn Bach, Llwydiarth, Rhos y Brithdir, Allt y Gadair, Cadair Ferwyn, Mynydd Tarw, Llawyn Bryn Dinas (Bryn Dinas), Gyrn, Treflach, Porthywaen Pass, Cefn digoll, Breidden, Bausley, Nescliff, Gaer fawr, Powis Castle Park, Kerry hills, etc. The soil on the summit is black, soft, and greasy, partaking a little of the character of the peaty soil of the neighbouring field; and the rank vegetation which covers the tumulus speaks of its richness. Mr. Hancock, from whose pen and ink sketch the engraving is produced, remarks, “That the section drawing exhibits its internal character and structure. The excavations that have been made expose its entire breadth to the depth of about ten or twelve feet, the lower exposed layer consists of tolerably large sized river stones, with a very thin layer of soil between, next a layer of pebbles, and then a layer of gravel, superimposed by the upper large layer of soil proceeding from coarse to fine to the surface. Between the upper the upper layer of gravel and the soil, of which its lower layer would seem to have been put in while in a state of mud, there are hollow spaces or holes into which a long stick has been pushed out of sight in a horizontal position. The tumulus is overgrown with grass, and has young oaks growing on it. The antiquary would have a difficulty in coming to any other conclusion than that this tumulus is a sepulchral erection; and excavations carried on a few feet into it below the lower exposed layer would possibly lay open a cist faen, or stone coffin.” (Jones 1870)

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SJ24051881

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

Sources of information, references and further reading

This site's National Monument Record (Coflein) number is 306993
This site's County Historic Environment Record (formerly Sites and Monuments Record) number is 88 '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.) p245 [listed]
    Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p40
    Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p152
    King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p298
    RCAHMW, 1911, An Inventory of Ancient Monuments in Montgomeryshire (HMSO) p129 No656
    Jones, Thomas Giffiths, 1870. The History of the Parish of Llansantffraid-yn-Mechain Chap3
• Journal Articles
  • Spurgeon, C.J., 1966, ‘The castles of Montgomeryshire’ Montgomeryshire Collections Vol58 p31
    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
    Pryce, T., 1900, 'A history of the parish of Llandysilio' Montgomeryshire Collections Vol31 p285
    Jones, T.G., 1871, 'History of the parish of Llansantffraid-yn-Mechain' Montgomeryshire Collections Vol4 p90-91