Scheduled MonumentsWalesRudbaxton Motte
Medieval · Motte

Rudbaxton Motte

Pembrokeshire, Wales
Cadw SAM PE432
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Rudbaxton Motte is a medieval motte-and-bailey earthwork located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the late eleventh-century conquest and settlement of South Wales. The monument comprises a substantial mound typical of early Norman defensive architecture, constructed as part of the broader campaigning and territorial consolidation undertaken by Anglo-Norman lords in the region. The site represents the characteristic military strategy of the Norman period, wherein raised mounds provided commanding positions for timber or stone fortifications and served as focal points for manorial control. Rudbaxton Motte remains an important example of the earthwork castles that dominated the Welsh landscape during the early medieval period before the development of more sophisticated stone-built fortifications.

Rudbaxton Motte is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference PE432. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Rudbaxton Motte?

Rudbaxton Motte is a medieval motte-and-bailey earthwork located in Pembrokeshire, Wales, dating to the Norman period following the late eleventh-century conquest and settlement of South Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference PE432.

What period does Rudbaxton Motte date from?

Rudbaxton Motte dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across Britain.

Who is responsible for protecting Rudbaxton Motte?

Rudbaxton Motte 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 PE432.

What other scheduled monuments are near Rudbaxton Motte?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Good Hook Round Barrow (4.8 km), Haverfordwest Castle (4.9 km), Haverfordwest Priory (5.4 km).

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