Welsh Journals

The motte is cylindrical in section, but it is rather disappointing in view of its obvious importance as a site of some significance, to find that its diameter at the top should only be 33 feet as against the 44 feet of Tomen Cefn Coch for example. But it is the width of the ditch and its very con- siderable depth, however, which shows how formidable was the defence. The depth varies from 14 feet on the north side to 9 feet on the south. The lesser depth at this point is easily accounted for by the fact that most of the weathering would take place on the steep southern slope, tending to the dis- appearance of the southern rampart. The ditch has an average width-from the inner edge of the rampart to the corresponding point-in height on the slope of the motte of 33 feet. The height of the motte from the bottom of the ditch measuring along the slope is 66 feet. The circumference around the base of the motte at the bottom of the ditch is 462 feet, around the outer edge of the ditch it is no less than 612 feet. The moat was obviously dry, for there is no water anywhere in the immediate neighbourhood of the Castle. One curious feature here is the existence on the north-western side of a second ditch, which follows the contour of the inner one for a short dis- tance. Of course this was the point at which access was easiest. This second ditch measures some 230 feet, embracing the inner rampart at both ends. From the edge of the inner ditch to the edge of the outer is 43 feet. The depth of this outer ditch, which follows the slope of the ground, is in some places as much as 13 feet, and it has an average width of 20 feet. It is very difficult by this time to trace the bailey because it has been completely overgrown with trees. But to the south-east is a large irregular area, measuring some 120 yards, surrounded by a ditch which over most of its course can be clearly followed. It ends on the one side by embracing the southern side of the main ditch and on the other it links on to the secondary moat, where it ends on the east side of the main ditch. The situation of Tomen yr Allt is typical of the sites usually chosen for a motte and bailey castle. It stands a little above the cultivated area, which we must remember was much less extensive than it is to-day. But on the other hand the country was much better wooded. There are no far horizons here and there is little doubt that the site was so camouflaged with trees, that it could only be seen with difficulty. Indeed such was its condition up to the outbreak of the last war. But looking through the trees, to the west, there is a good view of the Vale of Nantfyllon and the cwms that open