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THE CASTLE, BOROUGH AND PARK OF CEFNLLYS By A. E. BROWN The hill known as Castle Bank, with its remarkable complex of earth- works, lies in the parish of Cefnllys, some two miles due east of the town of Llandrindod Wells. It occupies a strong defensive position it is protected on three sides by a loop of the River Ieithon and on the remain- ing NE side rises up steeply to a formidable height (Fig. 1). The highest point of the hill, near its SW extremity, is 1,020 feet above sea level and commands extensive views in all directions. The top of the hill is fairly level, except for a rocky knoll close to the NE end. The area in which the site lies is one of great importance for the control of communications in central Wales, since it embraces the junction of the valleys of the rivers Ieithon, Dulas, Aran and the Mithil Brook, which are followed today by main roads which meet at Cross Gates, two miles north of Castle Bank. The Roman fort of Castell Collen, which was no doubt built in response to the same strategic considerations as the Castle Bank site, lies two miles away to the NW, on the west side of the Ieithon. 1. Sketch map of the Castle Bank site and its environs (Crown copyright reserved)