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Castle Mound near Swan Hotel

A Scheduled Monument in Hay (Y Gelli Gandryll), Powys

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Coordinates

Latitude: 52.0727 / 52°4'21"N

Longitude: -3.1299 / 3°7'47"W

OS Eastings: 322652

OS Northings: 242190

OS Grid: SO226421

Mapcode National: GBR F1.CD8R

Mapcode Global: VH6BJ.P5PF

Entry Name: Castle Mound near Swan Hotel

Scheduled Date:

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 174

Cadw Legacy ID: BR077

Schedule Class: Defence

Category: Motte

Period: Medieval

County: Powys

Community: Hay (Y Gelli Gandryll)

Built-Up Area: Hay-on-Wye

Traditional County: Brecknockshire

Description

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and surrounding ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). The motte is small, measuring 21m in diameter across the summit and 4.5m high, with steep sides and traces of a ditch on the western side. The site is probably the precursor to Hay Castle (BR076) and may be the Castle of Hay mentioned in sources from the reign of Henry I (1100 to 1135). The motte is located on level ground to the NE of a small steep valley, above the confluence of the Cogin Brook and the river Wye. A WWII observation tower was built on the W side of the summit, the remains of which comprise a 3m wide and 1m deep depression with an adjacent square concrete pad with an embedded iron pole.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive practices. The monument is well-preserved and an important relic of the medieval landscape. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of both structural evidence and intact associated deposits.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.

Source: Cadw

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