Scheduled MonumentsWalesCae Burdydd Castle
Medieval · Motte

Cae Burdydd Castle

Breconshire, Wales
Cadw SAM BR118
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Cae Burdydd Castle is a motte-and-bailey castle located in Breconshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the late eleventh-century conquest and settlement of South Wales. The site comprises a substantial earthen mound typical of early Norman military architecture in the Welsh borderlands, designed to command local territory and facilitate Anglo-Norman control of the region. The castle represents the characteristic form of rapid fortification employed by Norman lords as they extended their dominion into Wales, though like many such sites it was likely abandoned or superseded as more substantial stone castles were constructed during the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. The earthwork remains a significant archaeological monument recording the Norman military strategy in Breconshire and the physical imprint of conquest on the Welsh landscape.

Cae Burdydd Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR118. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Cae Burdydd Castle?

Cae Burdydd Castle is a motte-and-bailey castle located in Breconshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the late eleventh-century conquest and settlement of South Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference BR118.

What period does Cae Burdydd Castle date from?

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

Who is responsible for protecting Cae Burdydd Castle?

Cae Burdydd Castle 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 BR118.

What other scheduled monuments are near Cae Burdydd Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Graig-y-Gilfach round cairn and earthwork (7.1 km), Carn Castell y Meibion ring cairn (7.2 km), Merthyr Common Round Cairns (7.6 km).

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