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Castell Nonni is a medieval motte situated in Wales and protected by Cadw as a scheduled monument under reference CM102. The earthwork rises from bedrock of Llandovery age, a foundation of mudstone, siltstone and sandstone that underlies the surrounding landscape. This solid geological base would have provided stable ground for the castle's construction during the medieval period.
The motte represents a form of fortification common across Wales and the Anglo-Norman frontier during the 11th to 13th centuries. Such monuments typically comprised a raised earthen mound crowned with timber palisading and a central tower or keep, with an associated bailey or courtyard at the base. The site's survival in the Welsh landscape reflects the strategic importance placed on controlling local territory during this period of significant political change and consolidation.
The monument's preservation by Cadw ensures that this physical record of medieval military architecture remains accessible for study and public understanding. The distinctive topography of the motte remains clearly visible in the present landscape, marking the location of what was once a centre of local authority and military power in medieval Wales.
Castell Nonni is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM102. View the official record →
Castell Nonni is a medieval motte situated in Wales and protected by Cadw as a scheduled monument under reference CM102.
Castell Nonni 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 Nonni 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 CM102.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Ring Cairn 50m North of Crug y Biswal (2.5 km), Crug y Biswal Round Barrow (2.5 km), Crugiau Leir Round Barrows (2.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Castell Nonni'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 Nonni stands on Llandovery Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Llandovery. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.