Scheduled MonumentsWalesTomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and Bailey Castle
Medieval · Motte and Bailey

Tomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and Bailey Castle

Denbighshire, Wales
Cadw SAM DE018
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte and Bailey
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Tomen y Rhodwydd is a motte and bailey castle situated in Denbighshire, Wales, and represents a typical example of Norman fortification from the late eleventh or twelfth century. The site comprises a substantial earthen mound surmounted by a timber or stone fortification, together with an adjoining bailey or outer enclosure, characteristic of the rapid defensive construction undertaken during the Norman settlement of Wales. The castle's strategic location reflects the pattern of Norman military expansion into the Welsh borderlands and the Vale of Clwyd during the medieval period. Though now presenting only as earthwork remains, the site's archaeological significance lies in its preservation of the physical evidence of Norman military organisation and the early medieval defence of this region.

Tomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and Bailey Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference DE018. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Tomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and Bailey Castle?

Tomen y Rhodwydd is a motte and bailey castle situated in Denbighshire, Wales, and represents a typical example of Norman fortification from the late eleventh or twelfth century. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference DE018.

What period does Tomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and Bailey Castle date from?

Tomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and 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 Tomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and Bailey Castle?

Tomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and 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 DE018.

What other scheduled monuments are near Tomen y Rhodwydd (Castell yr Adwy) Mound and Bailey Castle?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Eliseg's Pillar & Tumulus (7.5 km), Valle Crucis Abbey (8 km), Creigiau Eglwyseg Round Barrows & Earth Circle (8.1 km).

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