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St. Illtyd's Motte
Just to the west of the church stands a large, steep-sided, flat-topped mound. This is a well-preserved castle motte. This probably dates to the 11th or 12th century, though it may incorporate an earlier, prehistoric burial mound.
Originally the motte would have been surmounted by a defensive wooden tower and palisade and may have been surrounded by an enclosed outer bailey that would have contained a hall, stables and other associated out-buildings. It is possible that the bailey once extended as far as the site of the stone castle on the other side of the churchyard (Bailey 1957, 22). It is not known whether the motte was built by Norman invaders or by the native Welsh princes of Gwynllwg (the Welsh kingdom of which Llanhilleth formed a part) to defend their northern territories (King 1983, 285).
In 1878, the motte was referred to as “Y Tump”, “Twmp Siencyn Siôn” (Jenkin Jones’ Tump) or “Twmp y Castell” (Castle Tump) (Bailey 1957, 21).
Bibliography
Bailey, H. W. 1957. History of the Parish of Llanhilleth (Newport Ref. Library qM230 796.33.
King, D. J. C. 1983. Castellarium Anglicanum, Vol. I
St Illtyd's Motte
Just to the west of the church stands a large, steep-sided, flat-topped mound. This is a well-preserved castle motte. This probably dates to the 11th or 12th century, though it may incorporate an earlier, prehistoric burial mound.
Originally the motte would have been surmounted by a defensive wooden tower and palisade and may have been surrounded by an enclosed outer bailey that would have contained a hall, stables and other associated out-buildings. It is possible that the bailey once extended as far as the site of the stone castle on the other side of the churchyard (Bailey 1957, 22). It is not known whether the motte was built by Norman invaders or by the native Welsh princes of Gwynllwg (the Welsh kingdom of which Llanhilleth formed a part) to defend their northern territories (King 1983, 285).
In 1878, the motte was referred to as “Y Tump”, “Twmp Siencyn Siôn” (Jenkin Jones’ Tump) or “Twmp y Castell” (Castle Tump) (Bailey 1957, 21).
Bibliography
Bailey, H. W. 1957. History of the Parish of Llanhilleth (Newport Ref. Library qM230 796.33.
King, D. J. C. 1983. Castellarium Anglicanum, Vol. I
