Cae Wall Wood Motte, Langstone

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Questionable Fortified Manor House

There are earthwork remains

NameCae Wall Wood Motte, Langstone
Alternative NamesPool Head Motte
Historic CountryMonmouthshire
Modern AuthorityNewport
1974 AuthorityGwent
CommunityLangstone

A circular hollow, embanked 0.75m high on the E and S, measures some 30m across overall and 1.5m deep. To the immediate N is a disused quarry and there is additional hollowing on the S. The site is in a good defensive position, overlooking the S and W, but there is too much quarrying activity to be sure of its identity as a defensive earthwork. (Coflein NPRN 223874 ? Medieval motte called Cae-Wall Wood Motte)

Within an area of about 80m by 80m lies what appears to be a quarry, flanked on the SW by a shallow circular depression. However, piles of cut stones suggest the former presence of a building, so perhaps there was once a fortification here which was later altered by quarrying. - refering back to the original source it is possible that the site described therein was not examined during this visit. (Coflein NPRN 54450 Medieval motte and bailey? called Pool Head)

The monument comprises the remains of a well-preserved medieval moated homestead. It consists of a square platform measuring 30m across, surrounded by a ditch. On the N, S and E sides the ditch is up to 3m wide and 1.5m deep, while on the W side it is up to 2m wide and 0.4m deep. Part of the W ditch has been dammed to make a duck pond. The site is thought to be associated with the 16th century Pencoed Castle, and may be an earlier predecessor. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Both these records have identical map references. The uncertainty about this site is clear from it being listed twice by the RCAHMW. Pool Head Motte was rejected by King as looking like a dried up pond. Suggestions of a relationship with nearby Pencoed Castle either as a siege work or precursor are probably fanciful and the actual relationship may be as a quarry for that castle.

- Philip Davis

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 ReferenceST403891
Latitude51.598388671875
Longitude-2.86107993125916
Eastings340350
Northings189110
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 256 (listed twice as possible)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 290 (reject)

Journals

  • Parkes and Webster, 1974, Bulletin of the Board Celtic Studies Vol. 15.4 p. 516, 518