Pen y Cnap, Llanegwad

Description

Motte, 5.6m high, with a summit diameter of 11m. The track of the ditch can be traced, whilst the existence of a bailey is problematic. there are traces of stonework about the motte summit. (Coflein)

Pen-y-cnap motte appears as recorded in Carm S.A.M.S (S.Rees). Several trees have since fallen from the northern and eastern sides of the motte causing landslides. Intensive sheep grazing has worsened the erosion. On the southern side some stone walling is evident. The tree covered motte is badly eroded by the sheep grazing in the same field. Except for the large trees there is little vegetation on the motte and virtually none on the sides so that further severe erosion seems inevitable. (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)

Pen y Knap castle comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period. A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch and sometimes accompanied by one or more embanked enclosures (a bailey). The existence of a bailey at Pen y Knap though reported early in the 20th century is currently unproven. The motte measures 5.6m in height with traces of stonework on the 11m diameter summit, both the surrounding ditch and counterscarp bank are evident. Records show that in 1203 the castle came into the possession of, Rhys Ieuanc, son of Rhys ap Gruffudd (the Lord Rhys). The parish church of St Egwad’s 250m to the west also dates from the post-conquest period. (Scheduling Report)