Scheduled MonumentsWalesGreat House Mound & Bailey Castle
Medieval · Motte and Bailey

Great House Mound & Bailey Castle

Breconshire, Wales
Cadw SAM BR080
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte and Bailey
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Great House Mound and Bailey Castle is a motte and bailey fortification located in Breconshire, Wales, dating from the Norman period following the conquest of Wales in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries. The monument comprises a substantial earthen mound, typical of early Norman defensive architecture, with an associated bailey or outer enclosure, representing a common form of military settlement established during the Anglo-Norman expansion into Welsh territory. Such fortifications served both defensive and administrative functions, providing focal points for Norman control of the surrounding landscape and population. The site, now designated as a scheduled ancient monument under Cadw's protection, retains sufficient earthwork remains to convey the scale and arrangement characteristic of motte and bailey castles of this period.

Great House Mound & Bailey Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference BR080. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Great House Mound & Bailey Castle?

Great House Mound and Bailey Castle is a motte and bailey fortification located in Breconshire, Wales, dating from the Norman period following the conquest of Wales in the late eleventh and twelfth centuries. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference BR080.

What period does Great House Mound & Bailey Castle date from?

Great House Mound & Bailey Castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte and bailey. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Great House Mound & Bailey Castle?

Great House Mound & Bailey Castle 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 BR080.

What other scheduled monuments are near Great House Mound & Bailey Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Penywyrlod Chambered Tomb (6.8 km), Trefecca Fawr Garden Earthworks (6.9 km), Cefn Barn Ringwork (7.2 km).

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