Caer Beris Motte

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle

There are earthwork remains

NameCaer Beris Motte
Alternative NamesLlangantan; Llanganten
Historic CountryBrecknockshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityCilmery

A mound, 42m in diameter and 7.0m high, 20m in diameter at the summit, resting on river cliffs above the Irfon. There are remains of a ditch away from the river front, whilst the summit hollow has been thought to mask masonry remains. (Coflein)

Caer Beris seems to represent the first castle in the cantref of Buellt, probably built by Philip Braose in 1093. In 1098-1102 the archbishop of Canterbury instructed him to return to the bishop of St David's those lands he had wrongfully occupied. This almost certainly refers to Philip's encroachments in Buellt. The castle then seems to have remained in quiet occupation by the Braose family for almost a century. During this time it seems likely, judging from the pit and rubble seen on the motte-top, that the castle was refortified in stone. In 1168 the Lord Rhys invaded Brycheiniog and destroyed the castle. From this time forth it was out of Braose hands. The castle seems never to have recovered and was replaced by Builth Wells. (Paul Remfry)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The motte is roughly circular in plan, around 40m in diameter with steep sides. It is situated in a sharp bend of the river Irfon. The summit is hollowed, with some banking around the outer edge. Masonry identified during excavations on the summit may be the remains of a shell keep. The motte would have been surrounded by a ditch, only visible on the east side, and the bailey may have been to the east where possible banks survive. (Scheduling Report)

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSO029507
Latitude52.1460494995117
Longitude-3.41945004463196
Eastings302960
Northings250700
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 231 (listed)
  • Salter, Mike, 2001, The Castles of Mid Wales (Malvern) p. 17
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 18
  • Remfry, Paul, 1998, Castles of Breconshire (Logaston Press) p. 188 (plan)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 19
  • Jones, Theophilius, 1909 (Glanusk edn, orginal publushed 1809), A History of the County of Brecknock (Brecknock) Vol. 2 p. 236 online copy
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
  • King, D.J.C., 1961, ‘The castles of Breconshire’ Brycheiniog Vol. 7 p. 89-90 no. 27 online copy

Guide Books

  • Anon ???? Caer Beris Guide Book