Banc y Betws facts for kids

Banc y Betws, also known as Betws Castle, is a very old castle ruin in Wales. It's a special protected site called a "scheduled ancient monument." You can find it in Llangyndeyrn, in the Gwendraeth Valley in Carmarthenshire, Wales. Today, you mostly see a tree-covered mound and parts of the old ditch that went around it.

History of Castles Like This

Long ago, people called the Normans brought a new type of castle to Britain from France. These were called motte-and-bailey castles. The Welsh people also started building them. Many of these castles were built in Wales between the 11th and 12th centuries.

What is a Motte-and-Bailey?

A motte-and-bailey castle was usually made from soil and stone. It had a large mound (the "motte") with a wooden or stone tower called a keep on top. Around the mound, there was often a ditch for protection. The area next to the mound, called the "bailey," was a courtyard where people lived and worked.

Where Were They Built?

Many motte-and-bailey castles were built in the Welsh Marches. This area is along the border between Wales and England. Places like Shropshire, Cheshire, Herefordshire, Powys, and Flintshire have many of these old castles. We don't know much about the specific history of Betws Castle itself.

Exploring the Castle Site

Betws Castle is a large mound. It measures about 40 meters (130 feet) long and 35 meters (115 feet) wide. It stands about 9 meters (30 feet) high. The top of the mound dips down in the middle, like a bowl.

The Castle's Defenses

Around most of the mound, there is a dry ditch. This ditch is about 5 meters (16 feet) wide and 2 meters (6.5 feet) deep. On the north side, the ditch has been filled in over time.

What Happened to the Castle?

In the middle of the 1900s, the eastern side of the mound was damaged by quarrying. This means people dug out stone or earth from that part. The castle site has not been dug up by archaeologists. This means experts haven't explored it to find old objects or learn more about its past.

Protecting the Site

Betws Castle is officially registered with Cadw, which is the Welsh government's historic environment service. Its number is CM124. Some parts of the old ditch are now part of nearby fields. The mound itself is covered with large trees.