Tomenseba, Llangeler

Has been described as a Certain Timber Castle (Motte), and also as a Certain Masonry Castle

There are earthwork remains

NameTomenseba, Llangeler
Alternative NamesDomen Seba, Bwlch y Domen; y Domen Fawr; Tomen Soba; Penboyr; y Tomen Fawr
Historic CountryCarmarthenshire
Modern AuthorityCarmarthenshire
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityLlangeler

Thought to be a medieval castle motte: a steep-sided, ditched circular mound, some 32m in diameter & rising 6.4m to a level summit, some 12.5m in diameter, where foundations are said to have been encountered; the ditch is is partially water-filled: there are no indications of any further works. (Coflein)

Tomen Seba Motte is in a good state of preservation. It stands 30feet high from the bottom of the ditch to the top of the mound. There is a slight depression in the top of the mound and the mound is surrounded by a water-filled ditch about 20 feet wide. The mound stands in a field used for pasture and is itself covered with bracken and small trees. (Dyfed Archaeological Trust HER)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and bailey castle, a military stronghold built during the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). 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. This monument stands in the corner of a grass field known as Parc y Domen near Bwlch y Domen farm. The motte and encircling ditch are well preserved, except for a slight disturbance on the NE side, and the bailey to the south is only very faintly traceable. It extends c. 100ft from the lip of the ditch. (Scheduling Report)

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 ReferenceSN325370
Latitude52.0063285827637
Longitude-4.44089984893799
Eastings232550
Northings237020
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 236 (listed)
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 41
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 46 (slight)
  • Davis, P.R., 1987, Castles of Dyfed (Llandysul: Gomer Press) p. 68
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 59
  • RCAHMW, 1917, An inventory of the Ancient Monuments of Carmarthenshire (HMSO) p. 226 no. 664 online copy

Journals

  • 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