A Contemporary View

      From the Vale of Dee, to the Vale of Clwyd, was the change of address that my Jones surname family most likely made during the reign of Henry II [1154 A.D.- 1189]. Previous posts have presented a number of reasons this move was made and, much more is to be discussed. However, few maps of this geographic area are available to show one of the major aspects of the day. The following image is one of the closest depictions of this area discovered to date, and it demonstrates the important aspects of this land's topography.

      Here you have it. The river Clwyd is center, passing through Ruthin, flowing down from the mountains that form a horseshoe shaped "ring of protection". One way in and one way out, what a catcher's mitt for Llanfair Dyffryn Clwyd just a few miles south of Ruthin and, the future address for my family yet to be. It was the location for many generations to come. A contemporary view it is.

      Now just how many motte and bailey castles were placed about the land of Wales?  The following figure shows the distribution of the early castles modified from the fun book by AA/Wales titled history.spectacle.romance  Castles In Wales, published 1998, p. 15. The Vale of Clwyd is circled in red, and the river Clwyd is colored blue. Each black square is the location of a known castle of the motte and bailey type.

      Let's all head to these hills!