CM009

The Bulwarks (Civil War)  

11/08/1982  

Designated  

Carmarthenshire  

Carmarthen  

240855  

219922  

Monument  

Earthwork (unclassified)  

Post Medieval/Modern  

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument. The monument comprises the remains of earthwork defences dating to the Civil War, 1642-51 and built to protect west Carmarthen then held for the Royalists. Further stretches existed originally but these have now been destroyed. The earthworks comprise the remains of low wide walls and associated ditches designed to absorb shot combined with bastions to protect the walls and for positioning artillery. A central section of bank survives to a height of c 0.7m fronted to the west by a ditch c 1.6m deep externally and 2.3m above the crest of the bank. North and south of this are two polygonal projecting bastions. Only the northern is well preserved, with the depth of the ditch being c 2m below the exterior and 4m below the crest of the now slight bank. The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of later defensive organisation. The site forms an important element within the surrounding landscape. The site is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence 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.