Castell Moeddyn Fach, Llanarth

Has been described as a Questionable Timber Castle (Other/Unknown)

There are earthwork remains

NameCastell Moeddyn Fach, Llanarth
Alternative NamesMoyddin Fach; Moeddyn-fach; Moeddin Fach
Historic CountryCardiganshire
Modern AuthorityCeredigion
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityLlanarth

The tapering, sloping end of a south-facing promontory, 48m deep, is cut off by a roughly 22m east-west bank and ditch, having a central entrance. (Coflein)

A small promontory site defended on the east and west by streep natural slopes and by a bank and ditch to the north. The defences are c.13m wide and 2m high overall with a central causewayed entrance. JH 1995 based on Cadw 1987 & CCH 1994 (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a defended enclosure, which probably dates to the Iron Age period (c. 800 BC - AD 74, the Roman conquest of Wales). Inland promontory forts are usually located on a ridge or spur with steep slopes on 2 or 3 sides, and artificial ramparts on the level approaches. Alternatively they may have been constructed on a promontory above the confluence of two rivers, or in the bend of a meander. This monument is a small promontory fort, consisting of a triangular shaped piece of ground with steep slopes down to rivers on the south, west and east; the neck on the north is defended by a curving bank c.1.8m high internally, 2.5m externally above the bottom of a well-preserved 5m-wide U-shaped ditch. On the north side of the ditch is a field boundary which may incorporate a counterscarp bank. In the centre of the bank is an entrance with a causeway over the ditch. (Scheduling Report)

Gatehouse Comments

Hogg and King recorded this as a 'possible' medieval castle, which in their terms meant unlikely. The position is fairly isolated. The site is scheduled as a prehistoric enclosure and this seems a more likely identification. This has been identified as a possible location for Castell Mabwinion mentioned in 1165 and 1216.

- Philip Davis

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSN474514
Latitude52.1400413513184
Longitude-4.22991991043091
Eastings247490
Northings251430
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

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Books

  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 37
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 49
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy

Journals

  • King, D.J.C. and Alcock, L., 1969, 'Ringworks in England and Wales' Château Gaillard Vol. 3 p. 90-127
  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124 (possible)
  • King, D.J.C., 1956, 'The Castles of Cardiganshire' Ceredigion Vol. 3 p. 67 no. 30 (possible) online copy
  • Evans, D.C., 1933, 'Cribyn Clottas. some hill-top camps' Journal of the Cardiganshire Antiquarian Society Vol. 9 p. 24-5 online copy