Iron Age hillfort in Wales
Carn Fadryn
, sometimes
Carn Fadrun
or
Garn Fadryn
, is a five-
hectare
Iron Age
hillfort
and is the name of the mountain on which the fort is situated.
[1]
It lies in the centre of the
Ll?n Peninsula
,
Gwynedd
, and overlooks the village of
Garnfadryn
, Wales.
There seems to be two phases of ancient hillfort building on Carn Fadryn, followed by a
medieval
fortification
of the summit. The first period of fortification at Garn Fadryn dates from about 300 BC, when the summit and an area of some 12 acres (49,000 m
2
) were enclosed.
These were re-fortified during a second period and a wider area towards the north of a total of about 26 acres (110,000 m
2
) was enclosed. This second period of reinforcement dates from about 100 BC.
The third fort which strengthens the natural crag near the summit is thought to be "the castle of the sons of Owain", mentioned in 1188 as being newly built. (
Giraldi Cambrensis Opera
(
Rolls series
, 1868), VI, p123 'dua castra lapidea de nova sita fuerunt; unum...Deutrait; alterum...in capite Lhein, quod erat filium Oenei, cui nomen Karnmadrun.')
The medieval castle was built on the highest part of the summit, and was one of the earliest Welsh castles, symbolising power following the death of Prince
Owain Gwynedd
and the division of his land between his sons.
[2]
On a clear day, the view from Garn Fadryn takes in
Anglesey
,
Snowdonia
, most of
Cardigan Bay
and even the
Wicklow Mountains
in
Ireland
.
See also
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]
References
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External links
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52°53′09″N
4°33′39″W
/
52.88571°N 4.56077°W
/
52.88571; -4.56077