Llanwrthwl

Llanwrthwl (Llan-Wrthwl) - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
LLANWRTHWL (LLAN-WRTHWL), a parish, composed of an Upper and a Lower division, in the union of Rhaiadr, hundred of Builth, county of Brecknock, South Wales, 3 miles (S. by E.) from Rhaiadr; containing 568 inhabitants, of whom 289 are in the Upper, and 279 in the Lower, division. This parish derives its name from the dedication of its church. It is situated at the northern extremity of the county, bordering upon Radnorshire, from which it is separated on the north-east by the river Wye, and on the west and north-west by the streams of the Claerwen and Elain, which fall into that river on the northern confines. The rivulets Runnant and Dulas are the principal of the streams that intersect the parish. It comprises about 12,000 acres of an extremely irregular surface, rising in some parts into lofty hills, alternated with large tracts of level ground, forming extensive commons and bogs: the soil on the higher grounds is rocky, and in the lower generally of a marshy nature; but on the banks of the Wye and Elain are some meadows of luxuriant fertility. The surrounding scenery is diversified, in many parts highly picturesque, and the distant views are even magnificent. Copper-ore has been found near the junction of the river Elain with the Wye, and the Runnant works were established to procure it, but they were not carried on with any degree of success.

The living is a discharged vicarage, endowed with £200 royal bounty; net income, £85; patron, the Bishop of St. David's. The church, dedicated to St. Wrthwl, or Morddal, is an ancient edifice, situated near the Wye, and at no great distance from the influx of the Elain. In the churchyard is a large stone, about six feet in height, of which the upper part appears to have been broken; from its situation, it may probably be the shaft of a cross, though by some it is supposed to be of Druidical origin. There is a place of worship for Independents, in which a Sunday school is also held. A sum of £16 is divided among the poor about January, arising from a bequest by Edward ab Evan in 1648, of the farm called Cae'r Llan, containing above ten acres and a half, now let at a rent of £8 per annum; from a charge of £3 on the property of Bronveddie, by Hugh Phillips; and the interest of a bequest of £100 by Margaret ap Owen. The parish is also entitled to participate in the Boughrood charity at Brecon for apprenticing children under the grant of Rice Powell: this charity is noticed in the article on the town of Brecknock,

On the hills are several cairns, especially on the height named Drygarn, or Derwydd Garn, implying "the Druid's rock, or mount," part of which is in the adjoining parish of Llanvihangel-Abergwessin. There are also some cairns on an eminence of less elevation, designated Gemrhiw. On Rhôs-Siathmaen, or "the seven-stone common," which is partly in this parish, and partly in that of Llanavan, are some stones very irregularly placed; but whether they are military, or other, remains, cannot be precisely determined. Near this common is another, called Rhôs-y-Beddau, or "the common of the graves," the name of which would appear to commemorate some great battle that took place in the vicinity.