Domen Seba (or Y Tomen Fawr) Castle Mound

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

The following provides a general description of the Scheduled Ancient Monument.

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). 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. This monument stands in the corner of a grass field known as Parc y Domen near Bwlch y Domen farm. The motte and encircling ditch are well preserved, except for a slight disturbance on the NE side, and the bailey to the south is only very faintly traceable. It extends c. 100ft from the lip of the ditch.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive organisation. The well-preserved monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information 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.