Pencastell

Pencastell stands on a low rise in the parish of Llangeler, Carmarthenshire. It is a medieval earthwork castle, built between the late 11th and the second half of the 12th century from soil and stone. The Normans introduced this type of mound fortress to Britain from France, and the Welsh soon adopted the design. Unlike most castles, Pencastell lacks the usual surrounding defensive wall called a bailey. A ditch usually encircles these mounds as standard protection. Cadw, the historic environment service of Wales, recognises Pencastell and lists it as SAM CM080. The largest concentration of such mounds in Britain lies along the Welsh Marches, including Shropshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Powys and Flintshire. These earthworks were built by both Normans and Welsh princes during the turbulent years after the Norman Conquest. Visitors find a simple grassy mound rising gently from farmland. The ditch that once surrounded the mound is still visible as a shallow depression. The site offers wide views across the Teifi valley and the rolling countryside of Carmarthenshire. The lack of modern intrusions lets the shape of the medieval fortress stand clearly against the horizon.