Maes Celyn Motte, Crickhowell
Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Maes Celyn Motte, Crickhowell |
| Alternative Names | Maescelyn Castle |
| Historic Country | Brecknockshire |
| Modern Authority | Powys |
| 1974 Authority | Powys |
| Community | Crickhowell |
A steep-sided, flat-topped mound, thought to be a medieval castle motte: set on generally south-west facing slopes, the mound is generally rectangular, about 33m north-south by 25m, and between 2.5m & 6.0m high, depending on the fall of the ground, having a summit area some 20m north-south by 10m; the southern part of the summit, terraced 1.0m above the remainder, is thought to cover the remains of a rectangular(?) tower about 7.0m across: a prominent crescentic scarp to the east of the mound may represent a bailey enclosure, in the region of 48m east-west by 41m; St Mary's chapel (Nprn306243) is thought to have been located on the eastern fringe of this area. (Coflein–ref. Phillips 2004 (AW 43 2003), 149-50.)
Motte 2.5m high on north-east and 6m high on south-west. Topped by two platforms separated by 1m high scarp. Traces of masonry and possible bailey, represented only by crescentic scarp to south-east. Main Part of mound 16' high, top diameter 25', contains lowest courses of a circular stone building, outer faces of which are visible on the S and E sides. (Cadw 1989). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)
The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period. The motte is elongated in plan, 2.5m high on the NE side and 6m high on the SW side. The summit is separated in to two levels by a 1m high scarp. On the SE side coursed masonry from a circular stone building survives, together with two short stretches of walling runing to the east and appearing to follow the circumference of the summit. In the pasture to the east of the motte is a crescentic shaped scarped slope which could represent the area of the former bailey. (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 Reference | SO206194 |
| Latitude | 51.8684196472168 |
| Longitude | -3.15353989601135 |
| Eastings | 320670 |
| Northings | 219490 |
