Castell Caemaerdy, Llanelwedd
Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)
There are earthwork remains
| Name | Castell Caemaerdy, Llanelwedd |
| Alternative Names | Castell Cae Maerdy; Cefn Dyrys; Caemardy |
| Historic Country | Radnorshire |
| Modern Authority | Powys |
| 1974 Authority | Powys |
| Community | Llanelwedd |
Medieval castle mound or motte, once supporting a timber castle. Now wooded, the motte stands approximately 3.8m high and is 20m in diameter. (Coflein)
Tumulus or fortified mound - general appearance favours tumulus, but situation favours mound (Anon, 1911). Mound 20ft high, 260ft circumference, no ditch visible - probably a motte (RCAHM, 1913). Because of small size, unlikely that this was a castle mound. Perhaps a burial mound? (Cadw, 1992). Mound is approximately 3.8m high and 11m in diameter and is located on the edge of a steep west-facing scarp. There is no sign of a ditch or a bailey to the east of it. There are a number of stones on the summit but they do not appear to be structural. Remfry suggests that it may be a motte constructed on a pre-existing burial ground (Cadw, 2000). Large steep-sided roughly circular mound, c. 11m diameter x 3.8m high. Sited in a prominent location with good views to west. On the summit there is a spread of large stones which may have been part of a structure. The mound is too steep-sided and generally too large to be a barrow, and it does not have that appearance. It is rather small for a motte. Possibly an 18th century viewing platform/gazebo mound, sited here for spectacular views, and associated with Cefndyrys House (CPAT 2002) (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)
The monument comprises the remains of a motte, probably dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. This example is sited in a prominent location with good views to the west but is unusually small, measuring only c.3.8m high and c.25m in diameter, with little obvious trace of a ditch. On the summit is a spread of large stones which may have been part of a structure
The mound is too steep-sided and generally too large to be a burial mound, and it does not have that appearance. It may have been used, or even built, in the 18th century as a viewing platform and/or gazebo mound, sited here for spectacular views, and associated with Cefndyrys House nearby. (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 | SO034530 |
| Latitude | 52.1669006347656 |
| Longitude | -3.4129900932312 |
| Eastings | 303460 |
| Northings | 253010 |
