Scheduled MonumentsWalesAberyscir Castle Mound
Medieval · Motte

Aberyscir Castle Mound

Breconshire, Wales
Cadw SAM BR021
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Aberyscir Castle Mound is a motte-and-bailey earthwork located in Breconshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the conquest of South Wales in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries. The site comprises a substantial mound typical of early Norman military architecture, constructed to command the local landscape and serve as a defensive stronghold for Norman settlers in the region. The mound itself represents a form of fortification that was rapidly deployed across Wales during the Norman advance, requiring minimal stone construction whilst providing an elevated position for timber buildings and palisades. Though the castle itself has left no substantial masonry remains, the earthwork survives as evidence of the military and administrative strategy employed by Norman lords to consolidate their control over the Welsh territories during the medieval period.

Aberyscir Castle Mound is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR021. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Aberyscir Castle Mound?

Aberyscir Castle Mound is a motte-and-bailey earthwork located in Breconshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the conquest of South Wales in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference BR021.

What period does Aberyscir Castle Mound date from?

Aberyscir Castle Mound dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Aberyscir Castle Mound?

Aberyscir Castle Mound 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 BR021.

What other scheduled monuments are near Aberyscir Castle Mound?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Enclosure West of Nant Cwm Llwch (5.3 km), Y Gyrn hut platform (N) (7 km), Y Gyrn longhuts (7.1 km).

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