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Wat's Dyke is a linear earthwork of Early Medieval date that forms part of a substantial defensive or territorial boundary constructed in the Welsh Marches. This section of the dyke, extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge in Denbighshire, preserves evidence of the characteristic bank and ditch construction typical of Marcher boundaries. The monument dates to approximately the seventh or eighth century and is traditionally attributed to Wat, a figure associated with early Welsh territorial expansion, though scholarly debate continues regarding its precise historical context and chronological placement. The earthwork represents an important witness to Early Medieval settlement patterns and the demarcation of political territories in the region between Welsh and Anglo-Saxon spheres of influence.
Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference DE153. View the official record →
Wat's Dyke is a linear earthwork of Early Medieval date that forms part of a substantial defensive or territorial boundary constructed in the Welsh Marches. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference DE153.
Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge dates from the early medieval period, and is classified as a linear earthwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is DE153.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Medieval cross in St Mary's churchyard, Dudleston (8.1 km), Offa's Dyke: Caeau-Gwynion Section (8.3 km), Offa's Dyke: Chirk Park Section extending NE from the Lake (8.8 km).
Aubrey generates in-depth historical research for any address in the UK — drawing on scheduled monument data, Domesday records, Roman heritage, PAS finds and medieval history to reveal the complete story of a landscape.
Research the area around Wat's Dyke: Section extending from Middle Sontley to Black Brook Bridge