Scheduled MonumentsWalesY Foelas Castle Mound
Medieval · Motte and Bailey

Y Foelas Castle Mound

Denbighshire, Wales
Cadw SAM DE097
Period
Medieval
Site type
Motte and Bailey
Broad class
Defence
Nation
Wales
Boundary

Scheduled area

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Overview

History & significance

Y Foelas Castle Mound is a medieval motte and bailey fortification located in Denbighshire, Wales. The monument comprises an earthwork mound typical of Norman defensive architecture, representing the early medieval period of castle construction in Wales, likely dating to the twelfth century or the Norman conquest period. The site demonstrates the strategic importance of the Denbighshire region during the period of Anglo-Norman expansion into North Wales, when such fortifications served as administrative and military strongholds. The earthwork remains visible today as a substantial raised mound, characteristic of motte and bailey design, though its original timber structures have been lost to time.

Y Foelas Castle Mound is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference DE097. View the official record →

About this monument

Questions & answers

What is Y Foelas Castle Mound?

Y Foelas Castle Mound is a medieval motte and bailey fortification located in Denbighshire, Wales. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference DE097.

What period does Y Foelas Castle Mound date from?

Y Foelas Castle Mound dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte and bailey. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.

Who is responsible for protecting Y Foelas Castle Mound?

Y Foelas Castle Mound 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 DE097.

What other scheduled monuments are near Y Foelas Castle Mound?

Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Maes-Gwyn Castle Mound (0.7 km), Pont Newydd (Northern) (1.3 km), Pont Newydd (Southern) (1.3 km).

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