Capel y Brithdir

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument consists of the remains of a chapel dating to the medieval period. Until its demolition in 1960, the medieval chapel of Capel-y-Brithdir stood alongside the ridgeway route along Cefn-y-Brithdir, 150m south-west of the 7th century memorial stone of Tegernacus (now in the National Museum of Wales). During demolition, a cross incised slab of probable 10th-11th century date was found built into its walling. (The slab is now in St Gwladys's Church, Bargoed). The demolished remains of the church were heaped within the lower part of its walls to form a platform-like monument. The scheduled area comprises the rectangular platform but not the surrounding churchyard (which contains recent graves).

The monument is of national importance in view of its proximity to the 7th century memorial stone, which was presumably the predecessor of the first church here. Such a relationship between an early memorial stone and a church site is rare and unusual. Moreover, the monument is significant for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the organisation and practice of medieval Christianity. The site forms an important element within the wider medieval landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, layout, building techniques and functional detail.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.