Carmarthen Castle Uncovered

Contributing editor John Northall recently visited Carmarthen and took a few photographs of the castle to document the progress of the restoration. In addition to the photographs and their descriptions, Mr Northall has also provided his own helpful sketch showing the extent of the existing remains at Carmarthen. Diolch yn Fawr, John!

Below: Sketch showing the general layout of the remaining towers and curtain walls at Carmarthen. No attempt has been made to show any of the finer details. The castle was originally a motte and bailey but was rebuilt in stone by the Earl Marshal after being captured by Llewellyn ap Iorwerth in 1215.

Below: View of the gatehouse and curtain wall.

Left: The round tower has a spiral stairway that descends to its base and exits in a sally port or postern adjacent to the curtain wall. Three stories of accomodation were provided and the tower was well supported by spur buttresses to stop it being undermined and slipping down the bank.

Right: The side view of the gatehouse reveals the remains of a spiral stairway and a doorway onto the vanished wallwalk.

Below: Part of the truncated keep can be seen from the council car park inside the castle walls. The high curtain wall on the castle's most vunerable side can be seen to the right of the keep.