Castell Moel

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 hillfort dating to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales) and the later moated site of Liege Castle dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD) set within it. The earthwork remains consist of a bank and ditch, about 15m wide by 3m high with traces of a counterscarp bank in places, forming three sides of a rectangle about 25m across. From the northeast corner, a slightly larger bank with silted ditch extends southeast for about 30m in a slight curve. Slighter banks extend all these features for about 18m further south. The site was probably built by the Norris family of Penllyn Castle, perhaps as early as the 13th century. Liege Castle was a sub-manor of Bonvilston, which was itself a sub-manor of Wenvoe. As a subordinate residence, its main function was presumably as the centre for the administration of the sub-manor, possibly housing a steward. A small hamlet grew up around the site, probably on the south-east side in the vicinity of the present Liege Castle Farm.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of both later prehistoric defensive settlement and organisation and medieval settlement. The site forms an important element within the wider later prehistoric context and is an important relic of the medieval landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence 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.