Alexanderstone Mound and Bailey Castle

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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. The motte is sub-oval in plan, measuring 23m NE/SW by 18m NW/SE and is up to 4m high. The summit is flat, 7m in diameter with a raised lip on the E side. A shallow ditch, 0.7m deep, survives on the E side of the motte. The bailey comprises an area of flat ground on the N side of the motte, defined on its N edge by a curving scarp.

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.