Tump Terret, Trellech

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as; Trelleck; Trillech

In the community of Trellech United.
In the historic county of Monmouthshire (Modern authority of Monmouthshire, preserved county of Gwent).

Large, earthen steep-sided circular mound, c.36m in diameter and 5.5m high, with remains of counterscarp to the S. The ditch that originally encircled it survives only on the north side. All traces of the bailey have gone, however, the presence of Court Farm to S, may indicate a further enclosure in this area. Geophysical survey in area of motte indicates the presence of structural remains in area of bailey enclosure to N and NE. Structural features on motte-top are thought to relate to a C19 summer house. The history of the castle is obscure; but it is known to have been in existence before 1231. Trellech was within the Norman lordship of Usk, and the castle presumably had some manorial administrative function.

This site has been described as a;
Timber Castle.
The confidence that this site is a medieval fortification or palace is Certain.
Earthworks remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

The Ordnance Survey Map Grid Reference is SO49930535

Modern Map from

Good for landscape form and features

Modern Map from

Good for general location

Air Photo from

1st edition OS Map from

Sources of information, references and further reading

National Monuments Record number; 306480

County Sites and Monuments Record number; 00855g

Web site links
- http://www.castlewales.com/trellech.html
  http://scarab.newport.ac.uk/trelech/index.html
Books
- Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p146
  Salter, Mike, 1991, The Castles of Gwent, Glamorgan and Gower (Malvern) p74 [slight]
  King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol1 p288
  Bradney, J.A., 1904-33, History of Monmouthshire Vol2 p131, 137-8
  Coxe, W., 1801, Historical Tour in Monmouthshire (London) Vol2 p323
Journal Articles
- Phillips, N., 2002, 'Trelech. C. Tump Terret' Archaeology in Wales Vol42 p143-5
  Soulsby, 1982, Trelech: a Decayed Borough of Medieval Gwent, Monmouthshire Antiquarian Vol4(3-4) p41-4
  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
  Wakeman, 1855, Journal British Archaeological Association Vol11 p130

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The information on this web page may be derived from information compiled by and/or copyright of the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historic Monuments of Wales, the four welsh archaeological trusts and other indivduals and organisations.

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This record last updated on Saturday, January 20, 2007

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