Domen Fawr Castle Mound Tafolwern

Cadw's description

Summary description and reason for designation

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. Domen Fawr Tafolwern was the castle of the Welsh prince and poet Owern Cyfeiliog (d. AD1197). The motte stands at the confluence of two rivers, with roads running around its base on the north-west and south-east sides. It stands to a height of c.6m and measures 40m in diamter at its base, and 19m across the summit. Mill Cottage has been built within the bailey enclosure, and the line of the ditch is now obscured.

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.