Horseland moated homestead

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 moated homestead probably dating to the medieval period. It is situated in pasture on the south bank of the Nant Llantriddyd. The raised interior of the moated homestead probably measured roughly 38m from east-north-east to west-south-west by 30m transversely, within a moat that measures about 4m in breadth where best preserved and about 0.8m in depth. The moat has been infilled on the west side, but is well-preserved on the east side. A raised area on the north-west corner may represent a causewayed entrance. The grass-covered stone foundations of a building are contained within the interior. Moated homesteads were defended manor houses, although the moats were constructed more to impress as symbols as wealth and power than as defensive works for military might. It is likely that the site was the predecessor to the sixteenth-century manor house of Llantrythyd Place.

The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval social organisation. The monument forms an important element within the wider medieval context and the structure itself may be expected to contain archaeological information in regard to chronology, building techniques and functional detail.

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