Llys Bradwen Medieval Site

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of an earthwork/stone-built enclosure. The date or precise nature of the enclosure is unknown, but it is likely to be later prehistoric or medieval.

Llys Bradwen consists of a levelled platform running east-west on the north side of the Afon Arthog. The southern edge, above the stream, is a terrace, reinforced and retained with large boulders, and the northern edge is a scarp, probably originally stone-faced, cut into the hillside. The middle of the platform is occupied by a large, roughly-square enclosure c.34m across, defined by a bank c.1.6m wide revetted on both sides by earth-fast stones and boulders, except on the north where it rests under the terrace scarp. To its east a second, smaller square enclosure, c.15-16m across and at a slightly higher level, is similarly defined and adjoins the northern part of the larger enclosure’s eastern boundary. To its south a further area is defined only by the edges of the terrace. The entrance to the main enclosure lies just south of the smaller enclosure. A second gap on the west side of the main enclosure may be modern, although a further levelled area does appear to extend to the west, cut by the modern track. A patch of old cultivation marks above the terrace to the north may have overlain the enclosure.

Richard Fenton (lawyer, topographer, and poet b.1747 d.1821) reported the presence of hut circles in the early 19th century, and there are several possibilities though none is especially clear. Traditionally this is the court, or llys, of Ednowain ap Bradwen, a legendary early medieval chieftain. Roman pottery has also been found on the site, at the foot of the southern bank.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later prehistoric and later defensive organisation and settlement. The site forms an important element within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, 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.