St Curig's Chapel (Remains of), Cats Ash

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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

The monument comprises the remains of a medieval chapel, now forming part of a post-medieval farmhouse. It appears in the book of Llandaff as Capella Sancti Ciriaci and is probably the Capella de Fraxino which Robert de Chandos gave to Goldcliff Priory in 1113. In 1536 ‘The Old Chapel’ was let by Sir William Morgan of Pencoed to Morgan ap Emon for 99 years. The chapel is a simple rectangular structure measuring 12m by 7m, and has a blocked window with pointed head and hoodmould of 14th century character at the east end.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of the organisation and practice of medieval Christianity and medieval ecclesiastical architecture. It forms an important element within the wider medieval landscape and shares group value with a number of other smaller parish churches and less commonly preserved chapels in southern Gwent. The building is generally 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.