Hen Domen
Encyclopedia
Hen Domen, Welsh
, meaning "old mound", is the site of a medieval timber motte-and-bailey
castle
in Powys
, Wales
. It is the site of the original Montgomery Castle
and was built by Roger de Montgomery in 1070.
From 1105 the castle was the home of the de Boulers (Bowdler
) family and it is from Baldwin de Boulers
that Montgomery gets its Welsh name, Trefaldwyn "The Town of Baldwin".
When the castle was rebuilt in stone (1223–1234) it was decided to rebuild it on a rocky promontory a mile to the south-east – the location of the current town of Montgomery, Powys
.
The Hen Domen site has been extensively excavated.
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
, meaning "old mound", is the site of a medieval timber motte-and-bailey
Motte-and-bailey
A motte-and-bailey is a form of castle, with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised earthwork called a motte, accompanied by an enclosed courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade...
castle
Castle
A castle is a type of fortified structure built in Europe and the Middle East during the Middle Ages by European nobility. Scholars debate the scope of the word castle, but usually consider it to be the private fortified residence of a lord or noble...
in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It is the site of the original Montgomery Castle
Montgomery Castle
Montgomery Castle is a stone masonry castle looking over the town of Montgomery in Powys, mid Wales. It is one of many Norman castles on the border between Wales and England.- Motte & Bailey Castle :...
and was built by Roger de Montgomery in 1070.
From 1105 the castle was the home of the de Boulers (Bowdler
Bowdler
Bowdler, a prominent Shropshire family descended from Baldwin de Boulers.-People with the given name Bowdler::* George Bowdler Buckton , English entomologist* Richard Bowdler Sharpe , English zoologist-Writers::...
) family and it is from Baldwin de Boulers
Baldwin de Boulers
Baldwin de Boulers came to England in 1105 when he was granted the Lordship of Montgomery, Powys in marriage with Sybil de Falaise. Sybil was referred to as the 'niece' of Henry I of England but is commonly believed to be one of his illegitimate children....
that Montgomery gets its Welsh name, Trefaldwyn "The Town of Baldwin".
When the castle was rebuilt in stone (1223–1234) it was decided to rebuild it on a rocky promontory a mile to the south-east – the location of the current town of Montgomery, Powys
Montgomery, Powys
The historic county town of Montgomery in Powys, Wales lies just three miles from the English border in the Welsh Marches. It is best known for its castle, Montgomery Castle, begun in 1223, and its parish church, begun in 1227. However its origins go back much further, as seen by the Celtic Iron...
.
The Hen Domen site has been extensively excavated.