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Castell Madoc Ringwork is a medieval motte situated in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference BR155. The monument sits upon bedrock formed from Ludlow rocks, a geological sequence of mudstone, siltstone and sandstone. This foundation of mixed sedimentary strata, laid down during the Ludlow period, provides the underlying geology for the earthwork.
The motte is a form of early medieval fortification characteristic of Norman and post-Norman Wales, constructed as a raised earthen mound, typically with a flattened summit intended to bear a timber or later stone structure. The site's location on Ludlow bedrock means the motte was built from local earth and stone available in the surrounding landscape, a practical consideration that determined many such fortifications' positions across medieval Wales.
As a scheduled and Cadw-protected monument, Castell Madoc Ringwork represents an important survival of medieval military architecture. Ringworks and mottes of this period remain significant for understanding the pattern of settlement and defence in medieval Wales, marking the evolution of fortified sites that responded to both internal political developments and external pressures during the medieval centuries.
Castell Madoc Ringwork is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR155. View the official record →
Castell Madoc Ringwork is a medieval motte situated in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference BR155.
Castell Madoc Ringwork 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 Madoc Ringwork 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 BR155.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Coed Fenni-Fach Camp (7.7 km), Brecon Castle (8.4 km), Brecon Bridge (8.6 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Castell Madoc Ringwork'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 Madoc Ringwork stands on Ludlow Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Ludlow. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.