PE196

Castle Mound  

08/06/1950  

Designated  

Pembrokeshire  

St. Ishmael's  

183502  

207619  

Defence  

Motte  

Medieval  

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 c10.5m in diameter across the top and 32m in diameter across the base and is c5m high. It is surrounded by a ditch c6m broad. The east side of the mound is somewhat hollowed away. There are traces possible traces of a dam to the east, which could have ponded back an area of c.160m N-S by 100m. A bailey enclosure may have lain to the south, between the motte and a mere. 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.