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Trellech, Monmouthshire....this is where we live and learn
Wye Valley-Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
Community Halls / Centre
Trellech (The Babington Centre)
Find a village hall in Monmouthshire
St. Nicholas' Parish Church
Slightly further afield (15 minutes away in the car).......The Brecon Beacon National Park
Trellech Village History
The Harold's Stones
This picture and text are taken from a great website by Tim Sandles called Harold's Stones...CLICK HERE to visit it.
This material has been reproduced with the kind permission of Tim Sandles. For more details CLICK HERE
As part of my university studies a field trip to Trellech was included on the course and this was lead by Dr. Ray Howell who is the leading archaeological authority on Trellech. During the visit we were taken to a Bronze Age feature known as the 'Harold's Stones' which although I had been there before was very enlightening. The stones are located about three quarters of a mile from Trellech's 'Virtuous Well' in, amazingly enough, the village or Trellech. Harold's Stones consist of three huge menhirs set in a 12m north-east to south-west alignment.
They were fashioned from a local quartz conglomerate quaintly and aptly known as 'pudding stone', due what I can only describe as looking like an uncooked Christmas pudding mixture (see ill. 8 here). The stones measure 2.7m, 3.15m and 4.2m high and are one of a few such sites in South East Wales. The southern-most stone is the largest of the menhirs and has what Ray Howell considered was a possible Christian cross carved on it (see ill. 9 here) . As seen on many of Dartmoor's pagan stones this possibly indicates an effort to de-paganise the stone and sanctify it in order to banish any pagan gods lurking in the area. The central stone has two 'cup marks' on the southern side of it (see ill 10 here). A few years ago, the small paddock in which the stones stand was subjected to a Geophysical Survey by Ray's team in order to establish if there were signs of any other stone sockets which would point to a longer row. The survey showed no such features but it did reveal the enclosing ditch which today can be detected by a curving arc of growing stinging nettles (see ill. 11 here). It was evident that the modern road which passes but yards from the stones has cut through the prehistoric enclosure.
In the local church is a remarkable sundial (dated to 1689) which has an engraving on one of its sides of the three stones (see ill. 12 here). The stones are arranged in size and on each one is a number these are said to be the heights of the stones and are; 8, 10, and 14 respectively. Above the stones is written: ''Maior Saxis' and below them; 'hic fuit victor Harald' which translates as 'Greater in its stones - Here Harold was Victorious.
The original purpose of the stones, as with any such prehistoric feature is unknown but judging by their size and the effort needed to erect them it must have been pretty important. Some have suggested a ritual use whilst others claim an 'astronomical' connection with the possibility of a winter solstice alignment with the Skirrid or 'Holy Mountain of Gwent'. Other theories as to the origins of the 'three menhirs' range from Druidical ritual stones (possibly connected with the 'Druid's Altar' which sits in the nearby churchyard) to being a line of marker stones on an ancient line of communication latterly known as 'ley lines'
There is some debate as to whether or not the stones are the reason for the place-name Trellech. The usual explanation is that Tre is the Welsh word meaning 'home, hamlet or town' and Llech denoting stone thus giving Trellech, the 'town of stones'. However, the other train of thought is centred on the earliest spelling of the settlement which was Trylec when the two elements could suggest a mutation of Tri to Try meaning 'three' and then the stone Llech or lec giving 'Threestones' which considering there are exactly three stones would seem plausible. Also there is a reference in the Folk Society magazine of 1853 where it was stated that, "If you ask your way to the three stones you will be answered, “The way to Harold's Stones? Yes, Miss,” and then directed..." which would suggest that the stones have at some time been known as, "the three stones" or Trylec.
So how does a Bronze Age ritual feature bear the name of a Saxon king - Harold. One legend states how when passing one day, King Harold decided to erect the stones in commemoration of one of his victories. The inscription on the sundial noted above is clearly a reference to this tradition. Clearly the stones predate Harold and so this is just fanciful thinking. But as Ray Howell pointed out it was not implausible that King Harold did pass the stones. Especially as he had a nearby hunting lodge some ten miles away at Portskewett. In which case there could have been a connection as some chance remark from him could have lead to the renaming of the stones in his honour or his victory.
Three other legends attached to the stones all concern Jack O' Kent who was a giant that lived on the Herefordshire/Monmouthshire borders. The first version tells how one day he was playing quoits on top of the Skirrid which resulted in him heaving four huge stones, three landed at Trellech and the fourth, known as the Pecket Stone landed near Lydart and still marks the parish boundary of Trellech.
Alternately, Jack O' Kent was stood on nearby hill called Beacon Hill when the Devil happened by. Apparently Jack had promised his soul in return for the ability to do whatever he put his mind to and now it was pay-back time. The two got into a fierce argument as to who could throw a large stone the furthest. So Jack went first, he picked up a massive slab and tossed it off the hill where it landed in Trellech. The Devil then heaved an even larger stone which landed a bit further than Jack's. Not to be outdone the giant grabbed a gigantic rock and slung it through the air, this one landed just a bit further than the Devil's. Having seen this the Devil knew he was beat and stormed off with the grizzles leaving a row of three large erect stones standing in Trellech.
Or if you prefer, one day the Devil and Jack o' Kent were up on the mountain known as the 'Sugar Loaf' and in an effort to impress Jack to a mighty leap of the top and landed four miles away on another hill (sorry we call mountains hills on Dartmoor) called the Skirrid. But this did not impress 'Old Nick' in the slightest and he just jeered and sneered. On hearing this, Jack in a fit of rage picked up three large stones and hurled them the thirteen miles to Trellech where they still stand to this day.
If ever you find yourself near Trellech put an hour aside and explore this village that literally has a surprise around every corner. You can start at Harold's Stones and walk from the Bronze Age across the road to the Norman motte. Then wander beside the church along what would have been a medieval road and then visit the virtuous well. Should you even feel inclined to see some archaeology in action pop up the the excavations that are try to find the 'lost city of Trellech'. The church is where you can find the Druid's Altar and the sundial which is now kept for safety inside the church.
This material has been reproduced with the kind permission of Tim Sandles. For more details CLICK HERE
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Medieval Trellech
For more fascinating information about the medieval town that used to be in Trellech, CLICK HERE
This article tells you all about the man who is investigating and searching for information
An enthusiast was so convinced that a farmer's plot hid a medieval city, he bought it.
Stuart Wilson made headlines when excavations made a convincing case for the identification of the "lost" city of Trellech, a large medieval Welsh city that professional archaeologists had been seeking for decades. But what was as newsmaking as the discovery was how the 27-year-old former toll collector, who holds an undergraduate degree in archaeology from York University, made it. Archaeology talked to Wilson, an active member of his local archaeology society, about taking big risks and staking independent claims.
![[image]](javascript:bigImage('http://www.archaeology.org/image.php?page=0609/etc/jpegs/conversations.jpg'))
(Courtesy Stuart Wilson)
When and how did you first learn of Trellech? What interested you about it?
In 2002, a man named Jonathan Badham contacted the Monmouth Archaeological Society, suggesting that we investigate his land. He had found lots of medieval pottery in molehills and knew of our treasurer's idea that the medieval city lay to the south of present-day Trellech and thus over his land. Up until then, a nearby university had been trying to find the medieval city right under the modern town. So I volunteered for a one-day dig, which turned into a lifetime of discovery.
And you ended up buying the site?
Well, after the first two excavation seasons, in which we found a house site that seemed to confirm the location of Trellech, I was becoming increasingly interested. I knew that the third season would be the last because Jonathan's mother, who owned the land, wanted a quieter life. I was ready to ask a farmer who owned the field opposite the dig whether I could sublease some of his land when he informed me it was up for auction.
You managed to scrape up £32,000 ($59,000)-roughly one-third in savings and the rest in a bank loan. Why did you want that particular spot of land so much?
If the location theory was right, then this field would incorporate most of the east side of old Trellech's main street. The moles there were also turning up medieval pottery. I thought that if they're blind and can still find medieval pottery, so can we.
What is the most surprising discovery you've made so far?
How large and well intact the buildings are. The walls are fully intact, and floors, drains, road surfaces, cobbled pavements, entrances, and now a fireplace with a chimney and a courtyard have all been found.
What does your family think of your purchase?
My family thought it was a good investment, knowing how much I loved doing archaeology, and were very supportive. Though, as my mum said, if you don't find anything, at least it is still a nice place to have a picnic.
How do you support yourself now?
Recently I resigned from being a toll collector to see if I can make more money out of my archaeology. I've also set up an eBay shop where I work on another of my interests, which is historical manuscripts.
What do other archaeologists think of your project?
Most other archaeologists have been generally supportive but many were at first skeptical. This was because the University of Wales, Newport, claimed that they had already found medieval Trellech and therefore I was digging in the wrong place.
How long do you think this project will take?
To dig my field will probably take about 50 years, so basically the rest of my life. But my field is only one part of the city, which will take a lot longer to excavate.
Do you plan to purchase any more land?
Yes, I would like to buy more to dig, or at least to protect, so that it would be available for excavation at some later point. My field is just one of many that hold parts of the medieval city within it and there are many other pieces of land near Monmouth that would make for excellent research digs if someone had the time.
Visit the excavation online at www.lostcityoftrellech.co.uk.
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More Medieval Trellech
"Evidence is found as to the lost city of Trellech"
MORE evidence as to the whereabouts of the 'lost city of Trellech' has just been unearthed.
Medieval Trellech was the largest community in Wales, but there has long been an argument over where nearly 400 burgages (houses) were located.
Members of Monmouth Archaeological Society have been researching and digging in an area that is south of the present village, where they believe the lost city might have been located.
During the group's third excavation of land along the wide Catbrook Road, many artefacts have been discovered that indicate a violent and sudden ending to civilisation in this part of the village.
Project leader Stuart Wilson said: "In our quest to discover the lost city of Trellech we've unearthed one particular house site where we discovered two medieval buildings.
"The first is a wattle and daub building built on a stone foundation and dates from 1250 AD. This building was smaller and simpler than its successor and was built at a slight angle to the present road, towards the beginning of the city's existence.
"During the 1290s the building was destroyed in a severe fire that caused cooking pots to melt, thatch to turn to glass and quartz in the sandstone foundation to liquefy.
"A fire this extreme is rarely caused by a single house fire as evidence of this magnitude is rare and thus suggests a multiple series of fires where many buildings are alight.
"This then caused a fire storm effect, increasing the temperature into an inferno and historical records record a major fire at Trellech about this time in which about 100 houses were destroyed, equivalent to the whole of Monmouth's Monnow Street."
After the destruction, a second building was built, in stone and aligned directly onto the now well-established road.
Mr Wilson added: "This building continued to be occupied until 1350 when it was abandoned; yet it continued to exist at least in a ruinous state until as late as the 1700s.
"At this time some of its walls were robbed for its building stone and part of the building reused as a shed."
Chairman of the Monmouth Archaeological Society Stephen Clarke said: "We've dug in over 30 sites in 30 years and the latest evidence conclusively proves the location of the lost city of Trellech.
"During our investigation within today's village the only evidence of Medieval occupation is at the church, the castle, the manor house, a forge and a tithe barn, the rest of the community would have been located along the road that leads to Catbrook."
But the investigation is not going to stop as the group has a programme of digs in a nearby field where there is evidence of several other housing sites.
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Websites about our Local Area
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Ideas for enjoying Wales outdoors
This is the website for the Brecon Beacons National Park, the closest National Park to our school with beautiful scenery & lots of rugged mountains & open spaces. | ||
| Chepstow Castle's website | This is the website for Chepstow Castle | ||
| Tintern Abbey's website | This is the website for Tintern Abbey | ||
| Monmouthshire County Council's Website | This is the website for Monmouthshire County Council | ||
| Newport City Council | The official website of Wales' newest city, Newport | ||
| The River Severn | A fascinating website with information all about the River Severn. Particularly interesting is the section on the incredible Severn Bore. What is it? Click here for details. | ||
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Official website of the Welsh Assembly.
Website for Gwent Theatre, the fabulous theatre company who perfrom regularly for us in school. | ||
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