Ruperra Motte, also known as Craig Ruperra Motte, (, or ) is a

medieval In the history of Europe, the Middle Ages or medieval period lasted approximately from the 5th to the late 15th centuries, similarly to the post-classical period of World history (field), global history. It began with the fall of the West ...

motte and bailey A motte-and-bailey castle is a European fortification with a wooden or stone keep situated on a raised area of ground called a motte, accompanied by a walled courtyard, or bailey, surrounded by a protective ditch and palisade. Relatively easy ...

castle in the community of

Rudry Rudry () is a small village and community located to the east of Caerphilly in Wales. As a community Rudry contains not only the village of Rudry, but also the villages of Draethen, Garth and Waterloo. The population of the community at the 2 ...

close to the village of

Draethen Draethen is a village in the county borough of Caerphilly, South Wales, and the community of Rudry. The village is located some east of Caerphilly, and northeast of Cardiff. Located on the southern reaches of the Rhymney River within the hist ...

in the

Caerphilly County Borough Caerphilly County Borough () is a county borough in the south-east of Wales. It is governed by Caerphilly County Borough Council. Its main and largest town is Caerphilly. Other towns in the county borough are, Risca, Ystrad Mynach, Newbrid ...

on the border with Newport in south west

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

. It is a

Scheduled Monument In the United Kingdom, a scheduled monument is a nationally important archaeological site or historic building, given protection against unauthorised change. The various pieces of legislation that legally protect heritage assets from damage, visu ...

within the Grade II listed Registered Historic Park & Garden, which also includes

Ruperra Castle Ruperra Castle or Rhiwperra Castle () is a Grade II* Listed building and Scheduled Ancient Monument, situated in Lower Machen in the county borough of Caerphilly, Wales. Built in 1626, the castle is in a ruinous condition as at 2023. Its gr ...

History

Ruperra Motte is a medieval motte and bailey castle which sits on an earlier

Iron Age The Iron Age () is the final epoch of the three historical Metal Ages, after the Chalcolithic and Bronze Age. It has also been considered as the final age of the three-age division starting with prehistory (before recorded history) and progre ...

hillfort A hillfort is a type of fortification, fortified refuge or defended settlement located to exploit a rise in elevation for defensive advantage. They are typical of the late Bronze Age Europe, European Bronze Age and Iron Age Europe, Iron Age. So ...

, called Craig Ruperra Hillfort. It was built about 1100 as a

Norman Norman or Normans may refer to: Ethnic and cultural identity * The Normans, a people partly descended from Norse Vikings who settled in the territory of Normandy in France in the 9th and 10th centuries ** People or things connected with the Norma ...

type motte or castle. On the top of the motte stood a wooden castle. Ruperra Motte lies on the top of the Coed Craig Ruperra ridge, and was built in that location because of the view of the surrounding area. It is thought to have been part of the Norman invasion of south east Wales. However, it fell into disuse when the larger

Caerphilly Castle Caerphilly Castle () is a medieval castle, fortification in Caerphilly in South Wales. The castle was constructed by Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester, Gilbert de Clare in the 13th century as part of his campaign to maintain control of ...

was built in 1274. From Coed Craig Ruperra to

Tongwynlais Tongwynlais () is a village and community in the north of Cardiff, Wales, north of the M4 motorway in the Taff Valley. It is notable as the location of the hillside landmark, Castell Coch. The population as of the 2011 census was 1,871. Topon ...

lies three castles,

Morgraig Castle Morgraig Castle () is a ruined castle, which lies close to the southern borders of the county borough of Caerphilly County Borough, Caerphilly, overlooking Cardiff in Wales. It was built in the 13th century, but there is some debate as to who ac ...

, the early motte at

Castell Coch ; ) is a 19th-century Gothic Revival castle built above the village of Tongwynlais in Wales. The first castle on the site was built by the Normans after 1081 to protect the newly conquered town of Cardiff and control the route along the River ...

,and Ruperra Motte.

Present day

On top of the motte on Craig Ruperra - geograph

Since 2000, Coed Craig Ruperra, which includes the Ruperra Motte, has been owned by Ruperra Conservation Trust. Nothing now remains above ground of the castle's original wooden buildings. The motte today stands 6 metres high with a diameter of 12 metres at the top.

Cadw (, a Welsh verbal noun meaning "keeping/preserving") is the historic environment service of the Welsh Government and part of the Tourism and Culture group. works to protect the historic buildings and structures, the landscapes and heritage ...

, which works to protect the historic buildings and structures in Wales, says that "The site is of national importance as a multi-period defensive site, with well preserved remains of a hillfort, motte and 18th century garden features. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential" The motte is a Scheduled Monument within the Grade II listed Registered Historic Park & Garden, which also includes Ruperra Castle.

References

External links

* {{commons category-inline, Ruperra Motte
Ruperra Conservation Trust
Castles in Caerphilly County Borough Scheduled monuments in Caerphilly County Borough Motte-and-bailey castles

History

Present day

See also

References

External links