Castell Meurig

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. 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. Castell Meurig is located upon a natural mound within the broad valley of the River Tywi at the entrance to the side valley of the Afon Sawdde to the south east. It comprises a motte 10m high and 15m in diameter across the top surrounded by a ditch 2m deep. The bailey is sub-rectangular, c. 170m long, 100m wide and lies to the south of the motte. It is surrounded by a single bank 2-2.3m high externally, up to 1m high internally, with traces of the ditch surviving on the west and east long sides. The castle is mentioned in the Pipe Rolls for 1160 and is recorded as destroyed in 1209.

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.