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, designated as a scheduled ancient monument under Cadw reference GM377. The site comprises the characteristic two-part structure of a ringwork and bailey, consisting of an outer defensive enclosure with raised banks and ditches typical of Norman and post-Norman fortification design. Dating from the medieval period, likely from the eleventh or twelfth century onwards, such earthwork fortifications were common throughout Wales during the period of Anglo-Norman expansion and settlement. The monument survives as an important archaeological record of early medieval military architecture in South Wales, reflecting the defensive strategies employed during a period of significant political and territorial change 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, designated as a scheduled ancient monument under Cadw reference GM377. 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 Britain.

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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