RD056

Norton Mound And Bailey Castle  

 

Designated  

Powys  

Presteigne  

330379  

267306  

Defence  

Motte and Bailey  

Medieval  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period. A motte and bailey castle comprises a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil or stone (the motte) surrounded by, or adjacent to, one or more embanked enclosures (the bailey). Both may be surrounded by wet or dry ditches and could be further strengthened with palisades, revetments, and/or a tower on top of the motte. Norton Castle motte is c.26m in diameter and c.5m high, with a damaged summit c.7m in diameter. This is surrounded on the north-west, south-west and south-east sides by a ditch c.5m wide and c.0.3m deep, with a counterscarp bank outside it varying from c.8m to c.15m wide and from c.0.7 to c.1.5m high. The bailey is not scheduled but is assumed to occupy an area to the east, in the fork between the road and the next lane to its east. Scarps probably indicate its northern and eastern edges. The castle is recorded in 1191 and was taken by the Welsh in 1262. Leland in the mid 16th century recorded 'a little pilet or turret', presumably on top of the motte. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive organisation. The well-preserved monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information relating to chronology, building techniques and functional detail. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.