MG050

The Moat Mound and Bailey Castle  

 

Designated  

Powys  

Kerry  

314695  

289491  

Defence  

Motte and Bailey  

Medieval  

The following provides a general description for the scheduled monument. The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period. A motte and bailey castle comprises a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil or stone (the motte) surrounded by, or adjacent to, one or more embanked enclosures (the bailey). Both may be surrounded by wet or dry ditches and could be further strengthened with palisades, revetments, and/or a tower on top of the motte. The motte measures c 27-32m in diameter at the base and c 10.7m at the top which is 4.3m high on the west and 9.5m high on the east. The mote is surrounded by a ditch and a well defined counterscarp bank on all sides except the north west. The bailey measuring c35m by 24m lies to the west and is defined by a scarp. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive organisation. The well-preserved monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information relating to chronology, building techniques and functional detail. The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.