Summary

Motte castle 230m north of Cwmmau.

Source: Historic England

Details

This record was the subject of a minor enhancement on 26 May 2015. The record has been generated from an "old county number" (OCN) scheduling record. These are monuments that were not reviewed under the Monuments Protection Programme and are some of our oldest designation records.

This monument includes a motte castle situated at the head of a small stream which runs into the Pentre Coed Dingle and ultimately drains into the wide valley of the River Wye. The motte survives as a circular mound measuring up to 27.4m in diameter and 3.3m high surrounded by a 1.5m deep ditch which has the stream running through it on the western side but is dry elsewhere. The motte has an even profile and the buried foundations of a summit tower have been reported. It is also known locally as ‘Cumma or Cwmma Tump’.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

Motte castles are medieval fortifications introduced into Britain by the Normans. They comprised a large conical mound of earth or rubble, the motte, surmounted by a palisade and a stone or timber tower. In a majority of examples an embanked enclosure containing additional buildings, the bailey, adjoined the motte. Motte castles and motte-and-bailey castles acted as garrison forts during offensive military operations, as strongholds, and, in many cases, as aristocratic residences and as centres of local or royal administration. Built in towns, villages and open countryside, motte castles generally occupied strategic positions dominating their immediate locality and, as a result, are the most visually impressive monuments of the early post-Conquest period surviving in the modern landscape. Over 600 motte castles and motte-and-bailey castles are recorded nationally, with examples known from most regions. Some 100-150 examples do not have baileys and are classified as motte castles. As one of a restricted range of recognised early post-Conquest monuments, they are particularly important for the study of Norman Britain and the development of the feudal system. Although many were occupied for only a short period of time, motte castles continued to be built and occupied from the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other types of castle.

Despite tree and scrub growth the motte castle 230m north of Cwmmau survives well and will contain archaeological and environmental evidence relating to its construction, development, social, political, economic and strategic significance, domestic arrangements, longevity, abandonment and overall landscape context.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
PastScape 105018, Herefordshire SMR 5582

Source: Historic England