RD053

Knighton Mound & Bailey Castle  

 

Designated  

Powys  

Knighton  

328419  

272313  

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. Knighton motte and bailey castle stands high above the valley of the Teme and commands a wide view of three approaches to the hills on the north-west, west and south-west. The motte has been partially despoiled, and the bailey is now a mixture of orchard and allotment. Houses have been built in bailey ditch. 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.