The Glamorgan-Gwent Archaeological Trust
Historic Environment Record
 

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Motte, Chepstow Park Wood

Primary Reference Number (PRN) : 01101g
Trust : Glamorgan Gwent
Community : Devauden
Unitary authority : Monmouthshire
NGR : ST49019798
Site Type (preferred type first) : Medieval Motte
Status : Scheduled Monument

Summary :
“This earthwork, with moat, and outer walls of buildings, is still in existence and is clearly defined. (SS Reviser 1949)

The earthwork on a hill near a spring in Chepstow Park Wood is roughly circular in shape. This is now seen to be a Medieval ring-motte with the remains of a stone building within. (Ibid 1954)

A grass and tree covered ring motte which consists of a circular mound surrounded by a ditch with an outer bank. Around the periphery of the mound are the remains of a weak inner bank which averages 3.0m to 4.0m wide with an average internal height of 0.4m. The average overall width of the outer bank and ditch is 12.0m. The ditch is dry except for a small stream which issues from a well in the west and which flows through a probably comparatively modern break in the outer bank. The bottom of the ditch is not very level and it seems doubtful if it was constructed to hold water. In the interior of the motte are the roofless remains of a stone building whose ivy-covered walls are 0.6m thick and are up to 20.m high. The walls are comprised of neatly laid, selected stone and the building appears comparatively modern. No trace was found of an original entrance to the motte. (DE 1958)” OS Record Card


Description :
“This earthwork, with moat, and outer walls of buildings, is still in existence and is clearly defined. (SS Reviser 1949)

The earthwork on a hill near a spring in Chepstow Park Wood is roughly circular in shape. This is now seen to be a Medieval ring-motte with the remains of a stone building within. (Ibid 1954)

A grass and tree covered ring motte which consists of a circular mound surrounded by a ditch with an outer bank. Around the periphery of the mound are the remains of a weak inner bank which averages 3.0m to 4.0m wide with an average internal height of 0.4m. The average overall width of the outer bank and ditch is 12.0m. The ditch is dry except for a small stream which issues from a well in the west and which flows through a probably comparatively modern break in the outer bank. The bottom of the ditch is not very level and it seems doubtful if it was constructed to hold water. In the interior of the motte are the roofless remains of a stone building whose ivy-covered walls are 0.6m thick and are up to 20.m high. The walls are comprised of neatly laid, selected stone and the building appears comparatively modern. No trace was found of an original entrance to the motte. (DE 1958)” OS Record Card


Sources :
Blockley, M and Dingwall, L , 2000 , An assessment of the archaeological and industrial heritage of the Wye Valley AONB
Mr. G West , 2010 , Photographic prints (4)
Savory H.N. , 1950 , List of Hill-Forts and Other Earthworks in Wales: II Monmouthshire , The Bulletin of the Board of Celtic Studies : XIII pt.IV : 231-238

Events :
E004581 : Forest Enterprise Welsh Heritage Assets Project:Rhondda/St Gwynno (year : 1999)
E002646 : Assessment of the Wye Valley DBA (year : 2000)

Related records
National Monuments Record NPRN 93437

Compiled date : 02-05-1988


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