St Clears Castle

Description

Earthworks thought to represent the castle, recorded as destroyed, 1215-16, associated with a borough, first mentioned in 1248: an oval mound, some 48m east-west by 38m, rising 12.2m to a level summit, some 15m by 10m, is set above a rectangular bailey enclosure, some 70m by 45m, defined by incomplete scarp lines, laid out on the south; these castle works are thought to have been integrated into, or subsumed by what appears to have been a borough enclosure. (Coflein)

Motte-and-bailey situated on the junction between the Taf and Cynin rivers, probably at the limit of navigable water for the shallow-draught boats that the Norman settlers would have used. The substantial motte, 8m high and an oval 20m by 10m across its top, lies on the north of the site and is well preserved. The large, rectangular bailey extended 50m south of the motte. There are reports of stonework being visible on the summit of the motte, suggesting that it carried a masonry structure in its later history. The castle was probably founded in the late C11, judging from the fact that a Cluniac priory was established at St Clears around 1100 and this would almost certainly have been after the foundation of the castle. (Jeff Thomas–www.castlewales.com)

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. Also known as Banc y Beili, the monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle built during the late 11th century. It is located at the confluence of the Rivers Taf and Cynin. The earthen motte is substantial and well preserved. It measures 8m tall. It is oval in shape on plan and measures c. 37m N-S by 46m E-W. The level platform on top of the motte measures c. 10m N-S by 20m E-W and may have supported a masonry structure. The large bailey is roughly rectangular in shape and extends to the S of the motte. It measures c. 75m N-S by 85m E-W. The ditch around the motte and the bank and the ditch around the bailey have been rendered inconspicuous by modern soil movement. (Scheduling Report)