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Castle Mound E of Graig Wood is a medieval motte situated in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference MM087. The monument comprises an earthen mound characteristic of early medieval defensive architecture, constructed upon bedrock comprising Pridoli rocks of undifferentiated mudstone, siltstone and sandstone. This geological foundation, formed during the Pridoli period, provided a stable base for the mound's construction. Mottos of this type typically served as the focal point of early medieval fortifications, with a timber or stone stronghold positioned upon the raised earthwork.
The site's location adjacent to Graig Wood reflects the strategic positioning common to such monuments, which frequently exploited natural topography and vegetation to enhance their defensive capabilities. The underlying geology of mudstone and siltstone would have been workable during construction, though the mixed composition of sandstone and softer sedimentary rocks would have required careful management to prevent erosion of the artificial mound.
As a scheduled monument under Cadw's protection, Castle Mound E of Graig Wood represents an important survival of medieval Welsh settlement and military infrastructure, contributing to our understanding of the region's early medieval landscape and the defensive strategies employed during this period.
Castle Mound E of Graig Wood is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM087. View the official record →
Castle Mound E of Graig Wood is a medieval motte situated in Wales and protected by Cadw under reference MM087.
Castle Mound E of Graig Wood dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Castle Mound E of Graig Wood 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 MM087.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Tredegar Fort (6.4 km), Castell Glas Castle Mound (6.9 km), St. Mary's Churchyard Cross, Llanwern (6.9 km).
This page is just one thread. A full Aubrey report pulls together 13 strands of Castle Mound E of Graig Wood'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.
Castle Mound E of Graig Wood stands on Pridoli Rocks (Undifferentiated), bedrock that formed in the Pridoli. The rock here is mudstone, siltstone and sandstone.