Cae Thygle Enclosure, Berriew

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameCae Thygle Enclosure, Berriew
Alternative NamesCaethugley; Cae Thugley
Historic CountryMontgomeryshire
Modern AuthorityPowys
1974 AuthorityPowys
CommunityBerriew

Promontory earthwork defined as hillfort by RCAHM & Nash-Williams 1933), alternatively as motte and bailey by OS (1972). Situated on natural spur of land overlooking Rhiw valley. Now surrounded by woodland and plantations. The narrowest point of the spur is defended by a bank and ditch (with possibly a small outer bank?). The motte rises c2m from the ditch and is nearly flat-topped. To the north side is a slight mound on the motte. To the east are two D-shaped terraces, one about 3m below the motte top and a second at about 1.5m below the upper terrace. On the lower terrace there is a slight mound in the north-east corner. On the north side of the slope there is a small (c2mby3m) terrace cut into the semi-natural slope (CPAT visit 12.05.94). (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

The camp enjoys a pleasing prospect of the Rhiw valley, but it could never have been constructed for a defensive post, being commanded by higher positions all round. (RCAHMW)

Gatehouse Comments

A site that may well benefit from a considered reappraisal by a castle studies expert not constrained by misconceptions about defensive and open to ideas about castles as hunting lodges.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSJ154020
Latitude52.6097793579102
Longitude-3.24908995628357
Eastings315490
Northings302010
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Collens, J., 1988, Iron Age and Romano-British Settlement in the Upper Severn Valley
  • RCAHMW, 1911, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Montgomeryshire (HMSO) p. 4 no. 14 online copy

Journals

  • Nash-Williams, V.E., 1933, 'An early Iron Age hillfort at Llanmelin, near Caerwent, Montgomeryshire' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 88 p. 237-340