Neuadd Goch Motte

Neuadd Goch Motte is a well-defined round ditched motte on a promontory site overlooking eth confluence of the Cwm-y-rhiwdre Brook and an unnamed tributary, which flows into the Mochdre Brook about half a mile downstream, and the River Severn just west of Newtown. There is no evidence of a bailey on LIDAR imagery, and the site appears to be covered with woods so it cannot be seen from the public footpath across the unnamed stream.

The motte is strongly situated and would have good views down the valley towards the Severn, so it would seem to have had a military or policing function, but the lack of a bailey indicates it was not used as the basis for settlement. The mound measures about 30 metres in diameter at the base, and the summit sits roughly 6 metres above the surrounding land, with an area about 16 metres by 13 – sufficient for a modest hall, tower, and perhaps stables and a kitchen but it was not built to sustain a serious assault.

The motte is within the cantref of Cedewain, within a part of Wales known as Rhwng Gwy a Hafren – a mishmash of lands between the Wye and Severn rivers. Lying just west of Montgomery, it was subject to considerable pressure from the Normans in the late 11th and early 12th century, notably Roger de Montgomery, Ralph de Mortimer, and Philip de Braose, and it appears likely that the motte was founded at the instigation of one of these men, de Montgomery or one of his successors being most likely. However, during the civil war between supporters of King Stephen and the Empress Matilda after 1135, the Welsh under Cadwallon and Einion ap Madog were able to reverse much of the Norman advance, and following the forfeiture of Robert de Belleme in 1102, it is likely that the Normans retreated from this immediate area, which had become vulnerable to attack, leaving Robert ap Llywarch (is the name significant?), his sons Robert and Maredudd, and his grandson Maredudd ap Robert as lords of the cantref of Cedewain. This last was an ally of Llywelyn ab Iorwerth of Gwynedd, and died in 1244, and was followed by his nephew Owain. When Owain died in 1261, the cantref was seized by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd of Gwynedd, as is shown by a lawsuit of 1278 made by Owain’s daughter Angharad, claiming to have been disinherited. It is not clear where the llys sites in Cedewain were, but the lack of a bailey would seem to indicate this motte was abandoned and not reused as a princely residence. The name given refers to the nearby farm, and is not contemporary.

RCAHMW Coflein database entry