TOMEN-Y-BALA
Site Details
Site Details
Associated Sites (1)
Associated Collection Records (6)
- NPRN
- 303419
- Map Reference
- SH93NW
- Grid Reference
- SH9280536091
- Unitary (Local) Authority
- Gwynedd
- Old County
- Merioneth
- Community
- Bala
- Type of Site
- MOTTE
- Broad Class
- Defence
- Period
- Medieval
Site Description
NAR SH93NW2
A medieval castle mound, one of the largest in Wales, later adapted as a garden feature with a spiral pathway to the summit.
This is a steep sided circular mound, about 40m in diameter and 8.0m high, with a level summit some 16.5m across. This would originally have had timber breastworks and perhaps a high timber tower. The mound would have been ditched about. It is not known whether there were any other fortifications.
The castle can be associated with a manor or llys, a princely court, the head place of Penllyn commote. Its conquest is recorded in 1202 and it may have remained active into the thirteenth century. Edward I was present at Bala in 1284. In about 1310 a borough was laid out south-west of the mount (NPRN 58040/33151). In the early fifteenth century a garrison was present in the town with no mention of the castle.
Source: History of Merioneth II (2001), 410, 231-2
John Wiles 09.07.07
