Scheduled MonumentsWalesDiscoed Castle Mound
Medieval · Motte

Discoed Castle Mound

Radnorshire, Wales
Cadw SAM RD059
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Discoed Castle Mound is a motte, a type of early medieval earthwork fortification characteristic of Norman settlement in Wales during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The monument comprises a prominent artificial mound located in Radnorshire, a region subject to intensive Anglo-Norman military colonisation following the Norman Conquest. Such mottes typically served as defensive strongholds and administrative centres, often accompanied by an associated bailey or outer enclosure, and represent the primary form of fortification employed during the early phases of Norman expansion into Welsh territories. The earthwork survives as a substantial earthen mound that constitutes an important archaeological record of medieval military architecture and territorial control in the Welsh Marches.

Discoed Castle Mound is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference RD059. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Discoed Castle Mound?

Discoed Castle Mound is a motte, a type of early medieval earthwork fortification characteristic of Norman settlement in Wales during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference RD059.

What period does Discoed Castle Mound date from?

Discoed Castle Mound 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 Discoed Castle Mound?

Discoed 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 RD059.

What other scheduled monuments are near Discoed Castle Mound?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Castle Nimble (6.1 km), Old Radnor Castle (6.4 km), Worsell Wood cairn cemetery (7.2 km).

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