Nowadays, Cronk Mooar ny Traagh appears as a simple green hill. However, it hides a fascinating history. It requires a vivid imagination to recognize it as the remains of a 900-year-old fort.
Cronk Mooar ny Traagh was once misunderstood by archaeologists. A century ago, their interpretations were quite off. They lacked the knowledge we have today. Their account was not accurate. But we have learned a great deal more about this type of structure since then. We can give a much more accurate account of what it’s all about.
Philip Kermode dug into Cronk Mooar ny Traagh a century ago. He found distinct layers of sand, clay, and gravel. These layers led him to believe it was a natural hill. He thought the Ice Age formed it with material from melting glaciers.
But geomorphologists disagree. They study how the land is shaped. They are clear that Cronk Mooar ny Traagh is man-made. This makes it truly incredible.
A trench, a moat, runs around the base. A man-made ramp leads to the moat’s edge. This is a clear sign of human construction.
Archaeologists found a stone-lined pit atop Cronk Mooar ny Traagh. They thought people used the natural mound for defense. They believed they fought from behind a rampart. That conclusion was also incorrect.
Cronk Mooar ny Traagh is a classic motte and bailey castle. It features all the elements of a defensive structure. The Normans introduced this structure when they invaded England in 1066.
It has an artificial hill surrounded by a moat. A ramp leads to the moat where a drawbridge once stood. Beyond, on the flat ground, a fence protected people, buildings and livestock.
The pit on top was the base for a castle. This castle was probably made of wood. The layers were a technique used by the Normans. They provided greater stability to the artificial hills. A simple pile of soil would erode. The layering strengthened the structure. Kermode might have found large timbers if he had dug further. These timbers added stability.
The Bayeux Tapestry shows Normans building a motte and bailey castle. They built it before the Battle of Hastings. The tapestry shows great detail. Normans are building the castle in layers using shovels. The different colored stitching indicates different types of earth. This remarkable construction mirrors Cronk Mooar ny Traagh.
Building Cronk Mooar ny Traagh was hard work. A similar motte in Berkshire contains 22,000 tons of soil. It took fifty men eighty days to build it. The materials clay, gravel, and sand had to be found. They had to be brought here to create the layers. This was a massive commitment of time, energy, and money.
Who built this castle and why? The Irish Sea area was in turmoil in the early 12th century. Kings and earls tried to consolidate their positions. A Welsh Chronicle says King Magnus Barelegs came to the Island in 1102. He built three castles. He ordered men from Galloway to bring timber. Perhaps Cronk Mooar ny Traagh is one of those castles.
Please be aware that fields around Cronk Mooar ny Traagh may contain livestock. If this is the case, please proceed with care. Taking dogs on the walk would not be advisable.