Llanquian Castle

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 ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone.

The motte is situated on a north-facing slope. It consists of a circular mound with a flat top 20m in diameter. On the west and south sides the mound is c. 1.5m high. On the north side it is c. 2.5m high, its sides being uneven and bare in places. On the east side the side of the mound is steep, bare in places, and 2-3m high. On the northeast side there is a ditch 3m wide and 1m deep outside it. The ground then falls away steeply on this side. On top of the mound on the northeast side is an oval area c.1m higher than the rest. In the middle of the west side are the remains of a stone building. These consist of an L-shaped section of the wall, 5.5 x 5m long, 0.5m thick and 1.5m high on the west side, and a 5m long section of wall 0.5m thick and 1m high to the east of it. Inside the L-shaped section is a lot of fallen stone and rubble.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval defensive practices. The monument is well-preserved and an important relic of the medieval landscape. It retains significant archaeological potential, with a strong probability of the presence of both structural evidence and intact associated deposits.

The scheduled area comprises the remains described and areas around them within which related evidence may be expected to survive.