Castle Tump
Castle Tump is an early 11th-century [Motte-and-bailey castle|motte and Motte-and-bailey castle|bailey castle] in Trecastle, Powys, Wales.
History
This early 11th-century Norman motte-and-bailey fortification was built by Bernard de Neufmarche, the half-brother of William the Conqueror. It is thought to have fallen to a Welsh attack sometime between 1121 and 1136, and after short abandonment was possibly rebuilt by Walter Clifford in the 1150s, with Edward I of England spending three days in Trecastle quelling a revolt in 1295.At 6.6 m high it is the largest motte and bailey the Brecon Beacons National Park
. The motte is 50 m by 38 m, with a flat summit of 24 m by 16 m, and the bailey is 56 m by 40 m. The original footprint of the bailey platform was 115 m long by 45 m wide. Originally both motte and bailey were ditched and counterscarped, similar to other 12th- and 13th-century castles in Wales; however, the absence of stonework indicated the castle did not retain importance beyond this period.
Presently it is the best-preserved motte and bailey in Breconshire, and the oval tree-clad motte dominates the east end of the village.