Brecon Castle is a late 11th century earthwork motte and bailey fortress, founded by Bernard de Neufmarché. The motte stands on a promontory above the confluence of the Usk and Honddu rivers and its roughly triangular southern bailey, is generally defined by banks and scarps. In the 12th century, the Braose family founded the stone castle when crowning the mound with a round tower and a polygonal shell keep. The castle is divided in two by a modern road and the portion to the north Ely Tower, is the private residence of the Bishop of Swansea and Brecon. Standing in the grounds of the Brecon Castle Hotel which occupys the remainder of the bailey, are the main surviving structures of the castle and an 18th century house with two chimneys. The southern wall of the late 13th century two storey Great Hall, is flanked by a 14th century semi-octagonal tower, a round stair tower, with later additions and the early 19th century Castle of Brecon Hotel. The hall is pierced by four Early English style and four lancet windows and the wall and towers are all topped by early 19th century battlements. 2 miles south-east is Llanddew Bishop's Palace.