Scheduled MonumentsWalesKemeys Inferior Mound & Bailey Castle
Medieval · Ringwork

Kemeys Inferior Mound & Bailey Castle

Wales
Cadw SAM MM039
Period
Medieval
Site type
Ringwork
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

© Mapbox · © OpenStreetMap contributors · Boundary data © Cadw

Overview

History & significance

Kemeys Inferior Mound and Bailey Castle is a Norman ringwork situated in the parish of Kemeys Inferior in Monmouthshire, Wales. The site consists of a substantial earthen mound surrounded by a ditch and outer bailey, typical of early Norman defensive works constructed in Wales during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The ringwork represents one of the early methods of fortification employed by Norman settlers in the region, predating the development of stone castles. The monument remains largely unexcavated, preserving its original earthwork form and contributing to our understanding of Norman settlement patterns and military strategy in medieval Wales.

Kemeys Inferior Mound & Bailey Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MM039. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Kemeys Inferior Mound & Bailey Castle?

Kemeys Inferior Mound and Bailey Castle is a Norman ringwork situated in the parish of Kemeys Inferior in Monmouthshire, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference MM039.

What period does Kemeys Inferior Mound & Bailey Castle date from?

Kemeys Inferior Mound & Bailey Castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a ringwork. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Kemeys Inferior Mound & Bailey Castle?

Kemeys Inferior 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 MM039.

What other scheduled monuments are near Kemeys Inferior Mound & Bailey Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Bishton Castle (5.8 km), Deserted Medieval Village W of St Mary's Church (6.3 km), St. Mary's Churchyard Cross, Llanwern (6.3 km).

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