Scheduled MonumentsWalesPen y Castell Mound & Bailey Castle
Medieval · Motte and Bailey

Pen y Castell Mound & Bailey Castle

Wales
Cadw SAM MG083
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte and Bailey
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Pen y Castell Mound and Bailey Castle is a motte and bailey fortification located in Wales and designated as a scheduled ancient monument under the Cadw reference MG083. The site comprises the characteristic earthwork elements of such Norman-period fortifications, with a raised mound (motte) and an adjoining bailey enclosure, representing the form of military architecture deployed across Wales following the Norman conquest. Such castles functioned as centres of lordly authority and territorial control during the medieval period, typically dating from the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The earthwork remains at Pen y Castell preserve an important example of the defensive strategies and settlement patterns established during the period of Norman expansion into Wales.

Pen y Castell Mound & Bailey Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference MG083. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Pen y Castell Mound & Bailey Castle?

Pen y Castell Mound and Bailey Castle is a motte and bailey fortification located in Wales and designated as a scheduled ancient monument under the Cadw reference MG083. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference MG083.

What period does Pen y Castell Mound & Bailey Castle date from?

Pen y Castell 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 Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Pen y Castell Mound & Bailey Castle?

Pen y Castell 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 MG083.

What other scheduled monuments are near Pen y Castell Mound & Bailey Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Penyclun Lead Mine (5.2 km), Waun Lluest Owain Round Hut and Long Hut (7.1 km), Domen Ddu Round Barrow (7.1 km).

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