Castell Moel facts for kids
Castell Moel is an old building in Wales. It is in a place called Llangain in Carmarthenshire. People also call it Greencastle or Green Castle. It was built a long time ago, in the 1500s. It was a special kind of house, built to be strong. Near it, there is also an even older mound of earth from the Middle Ages. This mound is called a motte. Castell Moel is about 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) southwest of Carmarthen. It is also about 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) northeast of Llangain village.
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What is Castell Moel?
Castell Moel is what is left of a large, strong house. It was built in the 1500s. This type of house is called a fortified manor house. It means it was a big home that also had some defenses. The house was once owned by the Rede family.
The Old Mound
About 550 meters (600 yards) south of the house, there is an older mound. This mound is from the Middle Ages. It is called a motte. A motte is a large hill of earth. It was often topped with a wooden or stone tower. This was part of an early type of castle.
History of Castell Moel
In 1917, a group called the RCAHMW looked at the site. They thought it might be an even older castle. They believed it was from the 1300s or early 1400s.
A Poem About the Castle
We know Castell Moel existed in the 1400s. A famous Welsh poet named Lewis Glyn Cothi wrote about it. He wrote a poem called "To Nicolas Ryd of Castell Moel." This poem helps us know the castle was there a long time ago.
What the Castle Looked Like
Castell Moel stands on a flat area. This area looks out over the River Tywi. Today, the remains are very overgrown. Experts now think it was an "L-plan hall house." This means the building was shaped like the letter 'L'.
Inside the House
The main part of the house was on the east side. It had a large hall on the first floor. In the corner of the 'L' shape, there was a tall tower. This tower held a staircase. The western part of the house had two floors. It also had a porch and a cellar. The walls of the castle once had a special top. This top was called a crenellated parapet. It looked like teeth, with gaps for defense.
Was it Really a Castle?
Even though it was strong, experts doubt it was meant for serious fighting. It was probably more of a grand home. It had some defenses, but it was not a true military castle.
The Older Castle Mystery
The 1917 report also said there was an older "motte and bailey" castle. This older castle was known as "the old castle." A "bailey" is a courtyard next to a motte. The report said you could easily see its remains.
Modern Discoveries
More recently, the Dyfed Archaeological Trust visited the area. This was after 1990. They could not find any trace of the older castle. However, if you visit the actual "Old Castle" site, the old motte can still be seen. It is just as the 1917 report described.
Nearby Nature
The Wales Coast Path goes near Castell Moel. This path is for walking along the coast. The section from Carmarthen to Llansteffan passes through Green Castle Woods. These woods are a nature reserve. The Woodland Trust takes care of them. It is a great place to see nature.
