Ward was aware of stories telling of an ancient British fort and was interested in the particular site because he had seen maps that showed an unusual rectangular shape.

[3] In 1997, newspaper articles appeared claiming that the castle was the location where a Welsh rebellion against English rule was defeated in 1315.

[3][7] The battlements found by Ward have now disappeared, but the shape of the walls of towers and the presence of a newel post indicate a spiral staircase rising from the first floor.

They also argue that only the English could have obtained the stone because the site of the quarry near Ogmore-by-Sea would have been defended by the de Clare family, at nearby Ogmore Castle, who opposed the Lord of Senghennydd.

In addition, the Gelligaer Historical Society study suggests that relations between the Lord of Senghennydd and the de Clares were generally friendly at least until the Second Barons' War of 1264–1267.

[8] In 1257 the de Clare family lost control in the area when Llywelyn ap Gruffudd destroyed their castle at Llangynwyd.

[3] The Gelligaer Historical Society study suggests that Llywelyn ap Gruffydd had sent his surveyor to help build Morgraig Castle for the Lord of Senghenydd.