© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw
Castell Cae-Maerdy Castle Mound is a medieval motte constructed on bedrock composed of mafic igneous rock of Silurian age. The underlying Ordovician to Silurian intrusion provides a naturally elevated and durable foundation for the earthwork, typical of defensive positions selected during the medieval period. The choice of site exploits the solid geological base, which would have simplified construction and provided exceptional stability for timber or stone fortifications atop the mound.
The motte represents a standard form of Norman or post-Norman military architecture, consisting of an artificial or reinforced earthen mound designed to support a defensive structure commanding the surrounding landscape. The elevated position afforded clear sightlines over approaches and local terrain, essential for effective control of medieval territories. Such mottes commonly served as administrative centres as well as strongholds for local lords.
The monument is protected by Cadw, the Welsh Historic Monuments service, under reference RD121, reflecting its significance as a surviving example of medieval Welsh military engineering. Despite the passage of centuries, the mound remains a tangible record of the medieval period in Wales, preserving evidence of the fortified settlements that characterised the social and political organisation of the region during the medieval era.
Castell Cae-Maerdy Castle Mound is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference RD121. View the official record →
Castell Cae-Maerdy Castle Mound is a medieval motte constructed on bedrock composed of mafic igneous rock of Silurian age. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference RD121.
Castell Cae-Maerdy 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.
Castell Cae-Maerdy 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 RD121.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Builth Castle (2.2 km), Caer Beris (2.4 km), Aberedw Hill Round Barrows (5.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Castell Cae-Maerdy Castle Mound's history, each drawn from the record and mapped to the exact spot:
Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.
Castell Cae-Maerdy Castle Mound stands on Unnamed Igneous Intrusion, Ordovician To Silurian, bedrock that formed in the Silurian. The rock here is mafic igneous-rock.