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Pen y Cnap Castle is a motte located in Carmarthenshire, Wales, representing early Norman defensive architecture in the region. The site consists of an earthwork mound characteristic of motte-and-bailey fortifications, a widespread form of military settlement established by Norman lords following their incursions into Wales during the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The castle's position within Carmarthenshire reflects the broader pattern of Norman consolidation in South Wales, where such mottes served as administrative centres and strongholds for controlling newly conquered territories. As a scheduled monument under Cadw's protection, Pen y Cnap retains archaeological significance for understanding the material culture and settlement patterns of the Norman-Welsh frontier period.
Pen y Cnap Castle is a scheduled monument protected by Cadw under reference CM151. View the official record →
Pen y Cnap Castle is a motte located in Carmarthenshire, Wales, representing early Norman defensive architecture in the region. It is designated a Scheduled Ancient Monument by Cadw under reference CM151.
Pen y Cnap Castle dates from the medieval period, and is classified as a motte. It is one of over 32,000 scheduled monuments protected across the UK.
Pen y Cnap Castle is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, legally protected by Cadw — the body responsible for designating and safeguarding heritage sites in Wales. The official designation reference is CM151.
Several scheduled monuments lie within 10 km, including Maes y Crug round barrow (2.1 km), Castell Dryslwyn (3.9 km), Pen y Garn Camp (6.4 km).
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Research the area around Pen y Cnap Castle