CM067

Tir-y-Dail Motte and Bailey Castle  

 

Designated  

Carmarthenshire  

Ammanford  

262424  

212498  

Defence  

Motte and Bailey  

Medieval  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient 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. At Tir-y-Dail the mound measures roughly 35m in diameter and 6.5m in height; a small hollow is visible on the summit of the mound, measuring about 15m in diameter and 2m in depth. An earthwork which may represent the remains of a bailey is situated immediately to the N of the mound. This earthwork is crescentic on plan, measuring about 38m from E to W by about 15m transversely within a shallow ditch about 14m in width, the footings of a small rectangular building are visible on the SE. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail. The area scheduled comprises the remains described and an area around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive. It is irregular and measures 84m from NE to SW by 50m transversely.