User:Ffrancon/Tomen y rhodwydd

Tomen-y-Rhodwydd is a motte and bailey castle dating to the middle of the twelveth century. It is located north of the A525 between Ruthin and Wrexham close to the junction with the BZZZZZ.

The castle was built in 1149 by Owain Gwynedd and protected a trade route from the east into the Vale of Clwyd. The A525 winds it way through the Nant y Garth Pass but in so doing crosses the river many times. Immediately to the north of the castle is the higher level road to Ruthin. It is believed to be Roman in origin.

In 1157 it was taken and burnt by Iorwerth Goch ap Maredudd from the rival House of Powys.

it was superseded by Tomen-y-faerdre. In 1212 during his campaign against Llywelyn ap Iorwerth, King John fortified the castle, which commands the eastern side of the Nant y Garth Pass. A dramatically ditched motte, stands on the north-eastern side of a ditched crescentic bailey, which is encased by an undulating bank. There are no visible traces of any buildings in the castle and to the south, its encasing continuous counterscarp bank is damaged by the road. 8 miles south is Castell Dinas Bran and 10 miles north-east is Caergwrle Castle.