Castlefacts³

Hay Tump

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

Name	Hay Tump
Alternative Names	Hay-on-Wye Motte; Gelli; Tregelli; Swan Hotel; castello de haia; La Haie Taillee
Historic Country	Brecknockshire
Modern Authority	Powys
1974 Authority	Powys
Community	Hay

Hay Tump is a circular, flat-topped mound, 38m in diameter and 4.7m high, having a summit diameter of 21m, set immediately across Login Brooke from St Mary's church. The summit was disturbed for civil defence - WWII. (Coflein)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and surrounding ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The motte is small, measuring 21m in diameter across the summit and 4.5m high, with steep sides and traces of a ditch on the western side. The site is probably the precursor to Hay Castle (BR076) and may be the Castle of Hay mentioned in sources from the reign of Henry I (1100 to 1135). The motte is located on level ground to the NE of a small steep valley, above the confluence of the Cogin Brook and the river Wye. A WWII observation tower was built on the W side of the summit, the remains of which comprise a 3m wide and 1m deep depression with an adjacent square concrete pad with an embedded iron pole. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Usually suggested as precursor to Hay Castle, but Remfry writes may have been a separate castle occupied simultaneously with Hay Castle; He writes "The manor of Melinog, a part of Hay fee mentioned 1115... remained independent of the main Hay castle throughout the medieval period and the same may be true of this motte." Possibly the site of the 'castello de haia' which is mentioned in 1121, although Remfry says this is Hay Castle. It was probably built by William Revel, one of Bernard de Newmarch's knights.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)

306312

County Historic Environment Record

www.cofiadurcahcymru.org.uk/arch/query/page.php?watprn=CPAT439&dbname=cpat&tbname=core

OS Map Grid Reference	SO226421
Latitude	52.0726699829102
Longitude	-3.12984991073608
Eastings	322650
Northings	242190