CoralJackz – That History Couple

This cromlech is situated in the old parish of Llanddwywe. Its a beautiful site with stunning views of Eryri and Bae Ceredigion. The name Cors y Gedol comes from the 16th century manor house nearby, who’s estate would have once covered a larger area of land here. Some old records of this monument also refer to it as Arthur’s Quoit, or Coetan Arthur.. Names given to many neolithic monuments around Wales.

Early records of the site:

1869
Here is a record of the site from the Archaeologia Cambrensis, from 1869 as well as an illustration (the author was previously discussing the other cromlechs nearby which is commonly named “Dyffryn Ardudwy”:

“A little above Corsygedol mansion is a third cromlech, of which a representation is here given from a most accurate drawing by Miss Colville of Corsygedol. Here are also the remains of the carn that once covered it. The capstone has been dislodged, so as to leave one end resting on the ground ; but even when in position, the cromlech must have been somewhat lower than usual, and certainly of moderate dimensions. Little can be made out of the original chamber, except that it stood east and west.
A little further on, to the left hand, and partially embedded in a stone wall, are the remains of a similar monument. It should be noticed, moreover, that the ground, to a considerable extent, adjoining these monuments, contains an immense number of circular and rectangular enclosures, which appear to have contained within their walls the inhabitants of a large settlement..”
https://journals.library.wales/view/2919943/2998546/40#?xywh=-848%2C1741%2C3750%2C1897

1870s
The following is from 1870-72, printed in John Marius Wilson’s Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales, which simply says: “A cromlech, called Coetan-Arthur or Arthur’s Quoit, lies near the lodge, and is fabled to have been thrown by Arthur from the summit of Moelfre..”

1907
In a book simply titled; North Wales and published in 1907.. Alfred T. Story mentions this monument when he writes;
“Cors-y-Gedol the ancient seat of the Vaughan family, of Pensarn station, with gatelodge said to be after designs by Inigo Jones….. Near at hand is the cromlech known as Arthur’s Quoit (Coetan Arthur) reputed to have been thrown by him from the top of the neighbouring Moelfre (1932 ft.), and in the act impressed with his finger prints!”

1914
The following is from An Inventory of the Ancient Monuments in Wales and Monmouthshire, published in 1914:
“On a field to the south of Corsygedol house is a ruined cromlech called ‘Carreg Arthur’ or ‘Coetan Arthur’. One end rests upon the ground, and it is evident that the cromlech has been dismantled at some previous period. The capstone is 12ft. long and its greatest breadth 8ft. The boulders that helped to support it are scattered about, and there is such a mass of fallen stones lying around and beneath the cromlech as to suggest that it was once covered – Visited 18th October 1913.” –https://dn790004.ca.archive.org/0/items/inventoryofanci06roya/inventoryofanci06roya.pdf

They also provide an illustration:

1921
In The Royal commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions of Wales and Monmouthshire – Volume 6 The County of Merioneth, it says:

” Corsygedol Cromlech. On a field to the south of Corsygedol house is a ruined cromlech called ‘Carreg Arthur’ or ‘Coetan Arthur.’ One end rests upon the ground, and it is evident that the cromlech has been dismantled at some previous period. The capstone is 12 ft.long, and its greatest breadth 8 ft. The boulders that helped to support it are scattered about, and there is such a mass of fallen stones lying around and beneath the cromlech as to suggest that it was once covered. — Visited, 18th October, 1913″