ABERLLYNFI CASTLE; GREAT HOUSE MOUND

Site Details

NPRN
306023
Map Reference
SO13NE
Grid Reference
SO1716238052
Unitary (Local) Authority
Powys
Old County
Brecknockshire
Community
Gwernyfed
Type of Site
MOTTE AND BAILEY
Broad Class
Defence
Period
Medieval

Site Description

Aberllynfi Castle is a compact motte and bailey occupying a diamond-shaped area on a natural bluff roughly 80m by 78m. The motte is at the western end. It is 30-35m in diameter at the base, up to 6.0m high, the summit being 16-17m across.

This is likely to be the 'Twyn y Klommendy' ('Dovecote Hill') 'suppos'd to be an old Krig', noted in Lluyd's Parochialia (1910 edition, 30). It is possible that the castle mound was co-opted as a viewing platform in association with the nearby Great House.

Source: Briggs and Lloyd 'Old Gwernyfed' in Gerddi IV (2005-6), 7-37 [19]

John Wiles 02.04.07