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The comprehensive gazetteer and bibliography of the medieval castles, fortifications and palaces of England, Wales, the Islands.
 
 
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Castell Caemaerdy, Llanelwedd

Also known as, or recorded in historical documents as;
Castell Cae Maerdy; Cefn Dyrys; Caemardy

In the community of Llanelwedd.
In the historic county of Radnorshire.
Modern authority of Powys.
Preserved county of Powys.

OS Map Grid Reference: SO03465301
Latitude 52.16690° Longitude -3.41299°

Castell Caemaerdy, Llanelwedd has been described as a probable Timber Castle.

There are earthwork remains.

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law.

Description

Medieval castle mound or motte, once supporting a timber castle. Now wooded, the motte stands approximately 3.8m high and is 20m in diameter. (Coflein)

Tumulus or fortified mound - general appearance favours tumulus, but situation favours mound (Anon, 1911). Mound 20ft high, 260ft circumference, no ditch visible - probably a motte (RCAHM, 1913). Because of small size, unlikely that this was a castle mound. Perhaps a burial mound? (Cadw, 1992). Mound is approximately 3.8m high and 11m in diameter and is located on the edge of a steep west-facing scarp. There is no sign of a ditch or a bailey to the east of it. There are a number of stones on the summit but they do not appear to be structural. Remfry suggests that it may be a motte constructed on a pre-existing burial ground (Cadw, 2000). Large steep-sided roughly circular mound, c. 11m diameter x 3.8m high. Sited in a prominent location with good views to west. On the summit there is a spread of large stones which may have been part of a structure. The mound is too steep-sided and generally too large to be a barrow, and it does not have that appearance. It is rather small for a motte. Possibly an 18th century viewing platform/gazebo mound, sited here for spectacular views, and associated with Cefndyrys House (CPAT 2002) (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte, probably dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. This example is sited in a prominent location with good views to the west but is unusually small, measuring only c.3.8m high and c.25m in diameter, with little obvious trace of a ditch. On the summit is a spread of large stones which may have been part of a structure. The mound is too steep-sided and generally too large to be a burial mound, and it does not have that appearance. It may have been used, or even built, in the 18th century as a viewing platform and/or gazebo mound, sited here for spectacular views, and associated with Cefndyrys House nearby. (Scheduling Report)
Comments

Clearly not a military base but may well have been a medieval mound demonstrating the knightly status of the tenant. An origin as a barrow would not exclude medieval use nor later reuse as a prospect mound.
Links to archaeological and architectural databases, mapping and other online resources

Data >
Coflein   County HER   Scheduling        
Maps >
Streetmap   NLS maps   Where's the path   Old-Maps      
Data/Maps > 
Magic   Historic Wales   V. O. B.   Geology   LIDAR  
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Sources of information, references and further reading
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The bibliography owes much to various bibliographies produced by John Kenyon for the Council for British Archaeology, the Castle Studies Group and others.
Suggestions for finding online and/or hard copies of bibliographical sources can be seen at this link.
Minor archaeological investigations, such as watching brief reports, and some other 'grey' literature is most likely to be held by H.E.R.s but is often poorly referenced and is unlikely to be recorded here, or elsewhere, but some suggestions can be found here.
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This record last updated 07/07/2016 09:44:16


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