Cefnllys Castle, Medieval spur castle in Penybont, Wales
Cefnllys Castle is a medieval fortified site on a ridge overlooking the River Ithon in Wales, with surviving stone walls and earthwork defenses. The remains display two successive stone structures built at different times, with the earlier one positioned on the northeast section of the ridge.
Roger Mortimer built the stone castle between 1240 and 1245, replacing an earlier wooden fortification from the Norman period. This construction marked the shift from temporary wooden defenses to permanent stone structures for regional control.
The name Cefnllys comes from Welsh words meaning ridge court, expressing its role as a regional administrative seat for medieval rulers. Visitors can sense this importance today through the site's commanding position overlooking the surrounding lands.
The site is accessible via walking trails with viewing points across the surrounding valleys and Welsh countryside from an area known as Castle Bank. Walking footwear suited for uneven ground is recommended when exploring the remains and slopes.
The site preserves visible remains of two separate stone buildings, revealing multiple construction phases that visitors can trace through different wall sections. This layering of building periods shows how fortification techniques evolved at this location over time.
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