Kerry; The Moat

Description

A ditched motte, c.27-32m in diameter and c.9.0m high, with a bailey, c.35m by 24m defined by scarps, to the W. The bailey platform extends around the motte ditch as a counterscarp, the whole work being c.88m by 59m. (Coflein)

Motte 4.3m high on west and 9.5m high on east with a diameter of 10.7m (top). The bailey lies to the west and is defined by a scarp. The motte has a counterscarp on all but the north-west side. When the Moat was the vicarage at the turn of the last century the vicar used to hold concerts at the motte, installing a small orchestra on the summit with the audience sitting within the bailey. (Cadw, 1998) A superbly preserved motte surrounded by a ditch and well defined bank. A small D shaped bailey lies to the west, this is defined by a scarp. In the bailey lies a large platform which runs roughly N-S; this platform takes up virtually the entire length of the bailey and is probably the remains of a modern tennis court. The motte has a slight terrace at its base on the north-west side from this a narrow track leads is cut into the side of the mound and gives access to the top. This track may be associated with nineteenth century re-use of the site. To the immediate south and east of the castle are a number of low and slight earthworks, these are seemingly mostly the remains of tracks and pathways, and their relationship with the castle is unclear. Despite its apparent good state of preservation the motte is heavily overgrown with woodland and is suffering damage from root growth. Some trees, particularly on the upper parts of the motte, have fallen and created significant further damage where the roots have thrown up soil (tree-throw). Woodland also obscures a fuller public appreciation of this otherwise prominent monument. Many of the above noted features and details do not appear on maps or existing plans of the site, which omit a number of key details. (Tir Gofal visit 2000) (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust HER)

Built by Madog ap Idnerth around 1135, to command the important ancient track along the Ceri Ridge - countering the power of the Mortimers in Montgomeryshire. Motte 4.3m high on west and 9.5m high on east with a diameter of 10.7m (top). The motte has a counterscarp on all but the north-west side. The kidney shaped bailey 38mx24m lies to the west and is defined by a scarp. The Ceri Ridge was an important track, running parallel to the Severn in mid Wales. (Daniel Mersey – Castle of Wales)