Cof Cymru: National Historic Assets of Wales · Wales
Parc y Castell Mound and Bailey Castle
St. David's and the Cathedral Close, Pembrokeshire, Wales
A scheduled monument in St. David's and the Cathedral Close, Pembrokeshire, recorded as Ringwork and bailey (Medieval).
The record
- Designation
- Scheduled monument
- Site type
- Ringwork and bailey
- Period
- Medieval
- Community
- St. David's and the Cathedral Close
- Unitary authority
- Pembrokeshire
- Country
- Wales
- Coordinates (centre of the scheduled area)
- 51.87958, -5.27860
- SAM number
- PE108
- Cadw record number
- 230
Slide toward Today to fade the historical sheet and see the modern map underneath.
David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford LibrariesDavid Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries
5 historical maps cover this location, the earliest the 1608 map "(13) Cambriae Typus." (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries).
Historical maps covering this location
- 1608 · (13) Cambriae Typus. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1636 · Cornubia : Devonia, Somersetus, Dorcestria, Wiltonia, Glocestria ... (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1637 · Particular description of Wales. Cambria seu Wallia (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1898 · 209 St David's (Hills) (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
- 1901 · Sheet 13. (David Rumsey Map Collection, Stanford Libraries)
Cadw's description
Summary description and reason for designation
The monument comprises the remains of a well preserved castle-ringwork, which dates to the early part of the medieval period (c. AD 1066 - 1485), located 0.8 km to the west of St David's cathedral. The well preserved bank and ditch form a half circle on the accessible more gently sloping west side, the well preserved bailey bank and ditch is likewise only present on the west. There is no bank and ditch on the east, where the steep drop to the River Alun was considered adequate protection. The ringwork castle may have been constructed by Bishop Bernard, who was appointed in 1115. However, by 1200 the castle had been superseded by the present Bishop's Palace beside the cathedral.
The monument is of national importance for its potential to enhance our knowledge of medieval settlement, organisation and defence. The site forms an important element within the wider medieval landscape. It is well preserved and retains considerable archaeological potential. There is a strong probability of the presence of evidence relating to chronology, layout, 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. The scheduled area is an irregular polygon in shape, measuring approximately 165m NE – SW and 105m NW-SE.
Nearby in the register
- Outbuilding to NE. of Felin IsafDomesticunder 1 mi
- Felin Isaf, including former Water Mill to rearIndustrialunder 1 mi
- St Davids Cathedral Mill LeatLeatunder 1 mi
- Walled Garden & Terrace at Y Fagwr (formerly listed as terrace wall of Y Fagwr)Domesticunder 1 mi
Other entries of the same register within about three miles of this one, by straight line.