Scheduled MonumentsWalesRingwork & Bailey at Gelligarn
Medieval · Ringwork and bailey

Ringwork & Bailey at Gelligarn

Wales
Cadw SAM GM377
Period
Medieval
Site type
Ringwork and bailey
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Ringwork and Bailey at Gelligarn is a medieval defensive earthwork located in Glamorgan, Wales, and forms part of the important network of Norman fortifications established throughout South Wales during the twelfth century. The monument comprises a ringwork—a circular or oval defensive enclosure formed by banks and ditches—alongside a bailey, representing a common form of early medieval military architecture adopted by Norman settlers and their Welsh contemporaries. Such earthwork fortifications were typically constructed rapidly and served as administrative and defensive centres for the consolidation of territorial control during the Norman period. The site demonstrates the characteristic engineering practices of the twelfth and possibly thirteenth centuries, when such ringworks and baileys formed the initial phase of fortification development before the construction of more substantial stone castles in the region.

Ringwork & Bailey at Gelligarn is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference GM377. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Ringwork & Bailey at Gelligarn?

Ringwork and Bailey at Gelligarn is a medieval defensive earthwork located in Glamorgan, Wales, and forms part of the important network of Norman fortifications established throughout South Wales during the twelfth century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference GM377.

What period does Ringwork & Bailey at Gelligarn date from?

Ringwork & Bailey at Gelligarn dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a ringwork and bailey. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Ringwork & Bailey at Gelligarn?

Ringwork & Bailey at Gelligarn 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 GM377.

What other scheduled monuments are near Ringwork & Bailey at Gelligarn?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Morfa House Round Barrow (8.6 km), Round Barrows South of Monkton (8.7 km), Caermead Roman Site (8.7 km).

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