Scheduled Monuments- Full Report
Summary Description of a Scheduled Monument
Reference Number
CM080
Name
Pen Castell
Date of Designation
08/12/1948
Status
Designated
Location
Unitary Authority
Carmarthenshire
Community
Llangeler
Easting
240244
Northing
237948
Broad Class
Defence
Site Type
Motte
Period
Medieval
Description
Summary Description and Reason for Designation
The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.
The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. The motte measures 18ft high and is surrounded by a moat, two-thirds of which is wet. The top of the outer bank of the moat is 6ft above the bottom of the moat. The diameter of the mound at the top is 60ft, and there is an inner bank around the top of the mound 3ft high above the interior. There is an entrance on south side.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive practices. The monument is well-preserved and an important relic of the medieval landscape. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of both structural evidence and intact associated deposits.
The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.