Castell Pistog

Has been described as a Possible Timber Castle (Motte)

There are cropmark/slight earthwork remains

NameCastell Pistog
Alternative NamesBangor Teifi; Castell Bangor
Historic CountryCardiganshire
Modern AuthorityCeredigion
1974 AuthorityDyfed
CommunityLlandyfriog

A steep-sided, rather oval mound, about 34m north-south by 32m, ditched about, except on the north, where the ground falls away, having a round summit area, some 15m in diameter, dished up to 1.8m; there are no indications of any further works. (Coflein)

An agreeable little motte standing on the S. slope of a minor stream-valley. It is in no sense backed against any serious obstacle, but the S. is certainly the weakest side. There is a ditch all round, forming a mere step on the N. side, but elsewhere 6 ft. deep. There is no sign of a bailey, and I do not believe there ever was one. There is a deep hollow in the top, and the N.W. side has been severely mutilated, probably by treasure-hunters, fairly recently. The ungrassed sides of the cavity reveal no peculiarities of structure, only earth and a great deal of slaty stone. I doubt if all of this can have been dug out of the rather narrow ditch. (King 1956)

The monument comprises the remains of a motte and ditch, dating to the medieval period (c. 1066 -1540 AD). A motte is a large conical or pyramidal mound of soil and/or stone, usually surrounded by either a wet or dry ditch, and surmounted by a tower constructed of timber or stone. Castell Pistog stands on the south slope of a minor stream valley. The motte measures c.33m in diameter and is c.7m high, surrounded by a well-preserved ditch c.4m wide, extending on its southern arc up to 2m deep below the level of the field beyond, although it runs out to almost nothing on the steeper slope to the north. The top of the motte is c.15m in diameter and is disturbed, with a large semi-circular chunk c.3m wide and c.2m deep having been quarried out of the west side. (Scheduling Report)

This site is a scheduled monument protected by law

Not Listed

The National Monument Record (Coflein) number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceSN382403
Latitude52.0380516052246
Longitude-4.35968017578125
Eastings238250
Northings240370
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink
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Books

  • Morgan, Gerald, 2008, Castles in Wales: A Handbook (Talybont: Y Lolfa Cyf.) p. 234 (listed)
  • Davis, Paul, 2000, A Company of Forts. A Guide to the Medieval Castles of West Wales (Gomer Press) p. 30
  • Pettifer, Adrian, 2000, Welsh Castles, A Guide by Counties (Boydell Press) p. 41
  • Salter, Mike, 1996, The Castles of South West Wales (Malvern) p. 46 (slight)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 1 p. 44
  • Lewis, Samual, 1849, A Topographical Dictionary of Wales online copy

Journals

  • Hogg, A.H.A. and King, D.J.C., 1963, 'Early castles in Wales and the Marches: a preliminary list' Archaeologia Cambrensis Vol. 112 p. 77-124
  • King, D.J.C., 1956, 'The Castles of Cardiganshire' Ceredigion Vol. 3 p. 55 no. 4 online copy