Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion
Ceredigion, South West Wales is in South West Wales.
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Aberystwyth Ceredigion
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Aberystwyth Ceredigion, Aberystwyth Castle [Map]
In 1197 Maelgwn Dinefwr (age 27) was captured at Aberystwyth Castle [Map].
Chronicle of William Rishanger. [1277].Furthermore, besides these things, the Prince [Llewellyn "Last" Aberffraw (age 44)] will reconcile with his brothers, whom he had wronged. For he had three brothers, two of whom, Owen (age 45) and Rhodri (age 47), he had imprisoned; the third, David, having fled, stayed for many years with the King of England. By the King, and against the custom of his people, he was made a knight. In that war, due to his bravery and loyalty, he became highly esteemed by the King. As a result, the King granted him the castle of Denbigh in Wales, along with lands worth one thousand pounds in annual revenue; moreover, he gave him a wife [Elizabeth Ferrers (age 37)], the daughter of the Earl of Derby, who had recently been widowed by another man [William Marshal]. Owen, then, through royal favor, was freed from the prison which he had recently broken. Rhodri, however, fled from his brother and resided in England. The King, moreover, built a significant castle at Aberystwyth [Map]1 in Western Wales, to suppress the raids of the Welsh.
Item, præter hæc, Princeps fratres suos, quos læsit, placabit. Habuit enim tres fratres, quorum duos, Owenum et Rodericum, posuerat in carcere; tertius vero, David, fuga dilapsus, multis annis cum Rege Angliæ stetit; a quo, contra morem gentis suæ, miles factus, in ista guerra, ob probitatem et fidelitatem suam, plurimum erat Regi acceptus: unde et eidem castrum de Dimby contulit in Wallia, cum terris ad valorem mille librarum annui redditus; insuper et uxorem dedit, filiam Comitis Derbeyæ, quæ nuper alio viro fuerat viduata. Owenus ergo favore regio libera- tur a carcere, quem fregerat paulo ante. Rodericus vero, fratrem fugiens, in Anglia morabatur. Rex autem in Occidentali Wallia apud Lampader Vaur, ad cohibendum irruptiones Wallensium, castrum construxit insigne.
Note 1. "Lampader Vaur" i.e. "Llanbadarn Fawr" from which Aberystwyth took its name.
The Welsh Castles and Towns of Edward I comprise a number of castles, some with associated planned towns, commissioned as a means of containing the Welsh. They included, from east to west, Flint Castle [Map], Rhuddlan, Conwy Castle [Map], Beaumaris Castle [Map], Caernarfon Castle [Map], Harlech Castle [Map] and Aberystwyth Castle [Map]. Those not on the coast include Chirk Castle [Map], Denbigh Castle and Town Walls and Builth Castle [Map]. Arguably, Holt Castle [Map] and Criccieth Castle [Map] should be included.
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Banc-y-Warren [Map]
In Sep 1136 or Oct 1136 the Battle of Crug Mawr aka Cardigan was fought at Crug Mawr [Map] between Welsh and Normans for control of Ceredigion, West Wales.
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 3. We proceeded on our journey from Cilgerran towards Pont-Stephen [Map],127 leaving Cruc Mawr [Map], i.e. the great hill, near Aberteivi, on our left hand. On this spot Gruffydd, son of Rhys ap Tewdwr, soon after the death of king Henry I., by a furious onset gained a signal victory [1136 Battle of Crug Mawr aka Cardigan] against the English army, which, by the murder of the illustrious Richard de Clare, near Abergevenny (before related), had lost its leader and chief.128 A tumulus is to be seen on the summit of the aforesaid hill, and the inhabitants affirm that it will adapt itself to persons of all stature and that if any armour is left there entire in the evening, it will be found, according to vulgar tradition, broken to pieces in the morning.
Note 127. Our author having made a long digression, in order to introduce the history of the beaver, now continues his Itinerary. From Cardigan, the archbishop proceeded towards Pont-Stephen [Map], leaving a hill, called Cruc Mawr, on the left hand, which still retains its ancient name, and agrees exactly with the position given to it by Giraldus. On its summit is a tumulus, and some appearance of an intrenchment.
Note 128. In 1135.
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Cardigan
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Cardigan Bridge [Map]
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 2. Near the head of the bridge [Cardigan Bridge [Map]] where the sermons were delivered, the people immediately marked out the site for a chapel,123 on a verdant plain, as a memorial of so great an event; intending that the altar should be placed on the spot where the archbishop stood while addressing the multitude; and it is well known that many miracles (the enumeration of which would be too tedious to relate) were performed on the crowds of sick people who resorted hither from different parts of the country.
Note 123. On the Cemmaes, or Pembrokeshire side of the river Teivi, and near the end of the bridge, there is a place still called Park y Cappel, or the Chapel Field, which is undoubtedly commemorative of the circumstance recorded by our author.
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Cardigan Castle [Map]
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 2. We slept that night in the monastery of St. Dogmael [Map], where, as well as on the next day at Aberteivi [Map], we were handsomely entertained by prince Rhys (age 55). On the Cemmeis side of the river, not far from the bridge, the people of the neighbourhood being assembled together, and Rhys and his two sons, Malgon (age 17) and Gruffydd, being present, the word of the Lord was persuasively preached both by the archbishop and the archdeacon, and many were induced to take the cross; one of whom was an only son, and the sole comfort of his mother, far advanced in years, who, steadfastly gazing on him, as if inspired by the Deity, uttered these words:- "O, most beloved Lord Jesus Christ, I return thee hearty thanks for having conferred on me the blessing of bringing forth a son, whom thou mayest think worthy of thy service." Another woman at Aberteivi, of a very different way of thinking, held her husband fast by his cloak and girdle, and publicly and audaciously prevented him from going to the archbishop to take the cross; but, three nights afterwards, she heard a terrible voice, saying, "Thou hast taken away my servant from me, therefore what thou most lovest shall be taken away from thee." On her relating this vision to her husband, they were struck with mutual terror and amazement; and on falling asleep again, she unhappily overlaid her little boy, whom, with more affection than prudence, she had taken to bed with her. The husband, relating to the bishop of the diocese both the vision and its fatal prediction, took the cross, which his wife spontaneously sewed on her husband's arm.
On 16 Feb 1470 Roger Vaughan (age 60) was appointed Constable of Cardigan Castle.
Norman Castles in Wales include Chepstow Castle [Map], Grosmont Castle [Map], Pembroke Castle [Map], Kidwelly Castle [Map], Haverfordwest Castle [Map], Walwyn's Castle [Map], Cardigan Castle [Map], Tenby Castle [Map], Abergavenny Castle [Map], Monmouth Castle [Map], and Raglan Castle [Map].
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Lampeter [Map]
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 4. A sermon having been preached on the following morning at Pont Stephen [Map],129 by the archbishop and archdeacon, and also by two abbots of the Cistercian order, John of Albadomus, and Sisillus of Stratflur [Map],130 who faithfully attended us in those parts, and as far as North Wales, many persons were induced to take the cross. We proceeded to Stratflur, where we passed the night. On the following morning, having on our right the lofty mountains of Moruge, which in Welsh are called Ellennith,131 we were met near the side of a wood by Cyneuric son of Rhys, accompanied by a body of light-armed youths. This young man was of a fair complexion, with curled hair, tall and handsome; clothed only, according to the custom of his country, with a thin cloak and inner garment, his legs and feet, regardless of thorns and thistles were left bare; a man, not adorned by art, but nature; bearing in his presence an innate, not an acquired, dignity of manners. A sermon having been preached to these three young men, Gruffydd, Malgon, and Cyneuric, in the presence of their father, prince Rhys, and the brothers disputing about taking the cross, at length Malgon strictly promised that he would accompany the archbishop to the king's court, and would obey the king's and archbishop's counsel, unless prevented by them. From thence we passed through Landewi Brevi [Map],132 that is, the church of David of Brevi, situated on the summit of that hill which had formerly risen up under his feet whilst preaching, during the period of that celebrated synod, when all the bishops, abbots, and clergy of Wales, and many other persons, were collected thither on account of the Pelagian heresy, which, although formerly exploded from Britain by Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, had lately been revived in these parts. At this place David was reluctantly raised to the archbishopric, by the unanimous consent and election of the whole assembly, who by loud acclamations testified their admiration of so great a miracle. Dubricius had a short time before resigned to him this honour in due form at Caerleon, from which city the metropolitan see was transferred to St. David's.
Note 129. Lampeter, or Llanbedr, a small town near the river Teivi, still retains the name of Pont-Stephen.
Note 130. Leland thus speaks of Ystrad Fflur [Map] or Strata Florida [Map]: "Strateflere is set round about with montanes not far distant, except on the west parte, where Diffrin Tyve is. Many hilles therabout hath bene well woddid, as evidently by old rotes apperith, but now in them is almost no woode - the causes be these. First, the wood cut down was never copisid, and this hath beene a cause of destruction of wood thorough Wales. Secondly, after cutting down of woodys, the gottys hath so bytten the young spring that it never grew but lyke shrubbes. Thirddely, men for the monys destroied the great woddis that thei should not harborow theves." This monastery is situated in the wildest part of Cardiganshire, surrounded on three sides by a lofty range of those mountains, called by our author Ellennith; a spot admirably suited to the severe and recluse order of the Cistercians.
Note 131. [Melenydd or Maelienydd.]
Note 132. Leaving Stratflur, the archbishop and his train returned to Llanddewi Brefi [Map], and from thence proceeded to Llanbadarn Vawr [Map].
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 3. We proceeded on our journey from Cilgerran towards Pont-Stephen [Map],127 leaving Cruc Mawr [Map], i.e. the great hill, near Aberteivi, on our left hand. On this spot Gruffydd, son of Rhys ap Tewdwr, soon after the death of king Henry I., by a furious onset gained a signal victory [1136 Battle of Crug Mawr aka Cardigan] against the English army, which, by the murder of the illustrious Richard de Clare, near Abergevenny (before related), had lost its leader and chief.128 A tumulus is to be seen on the summit of the aforesaid hill, and the inhabitants affirm that it will adapt itself to persons of all stature and that if any armour is left there entire in the evening, it will be found, according to vulgar tradition, broken to pieces in the morning.
Note 127. Our author having made a long digression, in order to introduce the history of the beaver, now continues his Itinerary. From Cardigan, the archbishop proceeded towards Pont-Stephen [Map], leaving a hill, called Cruc Mawr, on the left hand, which still retains its ancient name, and agrees exactly with the position given to it by Giraldus. On its summit is a tumulus, and some appearance of an intrenchment.
Note 128. In 1135.
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Llanbadarn Fawr [Map]
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 4. Having rested that night at Llanpadarn Vawr [Map],133 or the church of Paternus the Great, we attracted many persons to the service of Christ on the following morning. It is remarkable that this church, like many others in Wales and Ireland, has a lay abbot; for a bad custom has prevailed amongst the clergy, of appointing the most powerful people of a parish stewards, or, rather, patrons, of their churches; who, in process of time, from a desire of gain, have usurped the whole right, appropriating to their own use the possession of all the lands, leaving only to the clergy the altars, with their tenths and oblations, and assigning even these to their sons and relations in the church. Such defenders, or rather destroyers, of the church, have caused themselves to be called abbots, and presumed to attribute to themselves a title, as well as estates, to which they have no just claim. In this state we found the church of Llanpadarn, without a head. A certain old man, waxen old in iniquity (whose name was Eden Oen, son of Gwaithwoed), being abbot, and his sons officiating at the altar. But in the reign of king Henry I., when the authority of the English prevailed in Wales, the monastery of St. Peter at Gloucester held quiet possession of this church; but after his death, the English being driven out, the monks were expelled from their cloisters, and their places supplied by the same violent intrusion of clergy and laity, which had formerly been practised. It happened that in the reign of king Stephen, who succeeded Henry I., a knight, born in Armorican Britain, having travelled through many parts of the world, from a desire of seeing different cities, and the manners of their inhabitants, came by chance to Llanpadarn. On a certain feast-day, whilst both the clergy and people were waiting for the arrival of the abbot to celebrate mass, he perceived a body of young men, armed, according to the custom of their country, approaching towards the church; and on enquiring which of them was the abbot, they pointed out to him a man walking foremost, with a long spear in his hand. Gazing on him with amazement, he asked, "If the abbot had not another habit, or a different staff, from that which he now carried before him?" On their answering, "No!" he replied, "I have seen indeed and heard this day a wonderful novelty!" and from that hour he returned home, and finished his labours and researches. This wicked people boasts, that a certain bishop134 of their church (for it formerly was a cathedral) was murdered by their predecessors; and on this account, chiefly, they ground their claims of right and possession. No public complaint having been made against their conduct, we have thought it more prudent to pass over, for the present, the enormities of this wicked race with dissimulation, than exasperate them by a further relation.
Note 133. Llanbadarn Fawr [Map], the church of St. Paternus the Great [Map], is situated in a valley, at a short distance from the sea-port town of Aberystwyth in Cardiganshire.
Note 134. The name of this bishop is said to have been Idnerth, and the same personage whose death is commemorated in an inscription at Llanddewi Brefi.
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 4. A sermon having been preached on the following morning at Pont Stephen [Map],129 by the archbishop and archdeacon, and also by two abbots of the Cistercian order, John of Albadomus, and Sisillus of Stratflur [Map],130 who faithfully attended us in those parts, and as far as North Wales, many persons were induced to take the cross. We proceeded to Stratflur, where we passed the night. On the following morning, having on our right the lofty mountains of Moruge, which in Welsh are called Ellennith,131 we were met near the side of a wood by Cyneuric son of Rhys, accompanied by a body of light-armed youths. This young man was of a fair complexion, with curled hair, tall and handsome; clothed only, according to the custom of his country, with a thin cloak and inner garment, his legs and feet, regardless of thorns and thistles were left bare; a man, not adorned by art, but nature; bearing in his presence an innate, not an acquired, dignity of manners. A sermon having been preached to these three young men, Gruffydd, Malgon, and Cyneuric, in the presence of their father, prince Rhys, and the brothers disputing about taking the cross, at length Malgon strictly promised that he would accompany the archbishop to the king's court, and would obey the king's and archbishop's counsel, unless prevented by them. From thence we passed through Landewi Brevi [Map],132 that is, the church of David of Brevi, situated on the summit of that hill which had formerly risen up under his feet whilst preaching, during the period of that celebrated synod, when all the bishops, abbots, and clergy of Wales, and many other persons, were collected thither on account of the Pelagian heresy, which, although formerly exploded from Britain by Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, had lately been revived in these parts. At this place David was reluctantly raised to the archbishopric, by the unanimous consent and election of the whole assembly, who by loud acclamations testified their admiration of so great a miracle. Dubricius had a short time before resigned to him this honour in due form at Caerleon, from which city the metropolitan see was transferred to St. David's.
Note 129. Lampeter, or Llanbedr, a small town near the river Teivi, still retains the name of Pont-Stephen.
Note 130. Leland thus speaks of Ystrad Fflur [Map] or Strata Florida [Map]: "Strateflere is set round about with montanes not far distant, except on the west parte, where Diffrin Tyve is. Many hilles therabout hath bene well woddid, as evidently by old rotes apperith, but now in them is almost no woode - the causes be these. First, the wood cut down was never copisid, and this hath beene a cause of destruction of wood thorough Wales. Secondly, after cutting down of woodys, the gottys hath so bytten the young spring that it never grew but lyke shrubbes. Thirddely, men for the monys destroied the great woddis that thei should not harborow theves." This monastery is situated in the wildest part of Cardiganshire, surrounded on three sides by a lofty range of those mountains, called by our author Ellennith; a spot admirably suited to the severe and recluse order of the Cistercians.
Note 131. [Melenydd or Maelienydd.]
Note 132. Leaving Stratflur, the archbishop and his train returned to Llanddewi Brefi [Map], and from thence proceeded to Llanbadarn Vawr [Map].
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Llanbadarn Fawr, St Padarn's Church [Map]
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 4. Having rested that night at Llanpadarn Vawr [Map],133 or the church of Paternus the Great, we attracted many persons to the service of Christ on the following morning. It is remarkable that this church, like many others in Wales and Ireland, has a lay abbot; for a bad custom has prevailed amongst the clergy, of appointing the most powerful people of a parish stewards, or, rather, patrons, of their churches; who, in process of time, from a desire of gain, have usurped the whole right, appropriating to their own use the possession of all the lands, leaving only to the clergy the altars, with their tenths and oblations, and assigning even these to their sons and relations in the church. Such defenders, or rather destroyers, of the church, have caused themselves to be called abbots, and presumed to attribute to themselves a title, as well as estates, to which they have no just claim. In this state we found the church of Llanpadarn, without a head. A certain old man, waxen old in iniquity (whose name was Eden Oen, son of Gwaithwoed), being abbot, and his sons officiating at the altar. But in the reign of king Henry I., when the authority of the English prevailed in Wales, the monastery of St. Peter at Gloucester held quiet possession of this church; but after his death, the English being driven out, the monks were expelled from their cloisters, and their places supplied by the same violent intrusion of clergy and laity, which had formerly been practised. It happened that in the reign of king Stephen, who succeeded Henry I., a knight, born in Armorican Britain, having travelled through many parts of the world, from a desire of seeing different cities, and the manners of their inhabitants, came by chance to Llanpadarn. On a certain feast-day, whilst both the clergy and people were waiting for the arrival of the abbot to celebrate mass, he perceived a body of young men, armed, according to the custom of their country, approaching towards the church; and on enquiring which of them was the abbot, they pointed out to him a man walking foremost, with a long spear in his hand. Gazing on him with amazement, he asked, "If the abbot had not another habit, or a different staff, from that which he now carried before him?" On their answering, "No!" he replied, "I have seen indeed and heard this day a wonderful novelty!" and from that hour he returned home, and finished his labours and researches. This wicked people boasts, that a certain bishop134 of their church (for it formerly was a cathedral) was murdered by their predecessors; and on this account, chiefly, they ground their claims of right and possession. No public complaint having been made against their conduct, we have thought it more prudent to pass over, for the present, the enormities of this wicked race with dissimulation, than exasperate them by a further relation.
Note 133. Llanbadarn Fawr [Map], the church of St. Paternus the Great [Map], is situated in a valley, at a short distance from the sea-port town of Aberystwyth in Cardiganshire.
Note 134. The name of this bishop is said to have been Idnerth, and the same personage whose death is commemorated in an inscription at Llanddewi Brefi.
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Llanddewi Brefi [Map]
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 4. A sermon having been preached on the following morning at Pont Stephen [Map],129 by the archbishop and archdeacon, and also by two abbots of the Cistercian order, John of Albadomus, and Sisillus of Stratflur [Map],130 who faithfully attended us in those parts, and as far as North Wales, many persons were induced to take the cross. We proceeded to Stratflur, where we passed the night. On the following morning, having on our right the lofty mountains of Moruge, which in Welsh are called Ellennith,131 we were met near the side of a wood by Cyneuric son of Rhys, accompanied by a body of light-armed youths. This young man was of a fair complexion, with curled hair, tall and handsome; clothed only, according to the custom of his country, with a thin cloak and inner garment, his legs and feet, regardless of thorns and thistles were left bare; a man, not adorned by art, but nature; bearing in his presence an innate, not an acquired, dignity of manners. A sermon having been preached to these three young men, Gruffydd, Malgon, and Cyneuric, in the presence of their father, prince Rhys, and the brothers disputing about taking the cross, at length Malgon strictly promised that he would accompany the archbishop to the king's court, and would obey the king's and archbishop's counsel, unless prevented by them. From thence we passed through Landewi Brevi [Map],132 that is, the church of David of Brevi, situated on the summit of that hill which had formerly risen up under his feet whilst preaching, during the period of that celebrated synod, when all the bishops, abbots, and clergy of Wales, and many other persons, were collected thither on account of the Pelagian heresy, which, although formerly exploded from Britain by Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, had lately been revived in these parts. At this place David was reluctantly raised to the archbishopric, by the unanimous consent and election of the whole assembly, who by loud acclamations testified their admiration of so great a miracle. Dubricius had a short time before resigned to him this honour in due form at Caerleon, from which city the metropolitan see was transferred to St. David's.
Note 129. Lampeter, or Llanbedr, a small town near the river Teivi, still retains the name of Pont-Stephen.
Note 130. Leland thus speaks of Ystrad Fflur [Map] or Strata Florida [Map]: "Strateflere is set round about with montanes not far distant, except on the west parte, where Diffrin Tyve is. Many hilles therabout hath bene well woddid, as evidently by old rotes apperith, but now in them is almost no woode - the causes be these. First, the wood cut down was never copisid, and this hath beene a cause of destruction of wood thorough Wales. Secondly, after cutting down of woodys, the gottys hath so bytten the young spring that it never grew but lyke shrubbes. Thirddely, men for the monys destroied the great woddis that thei should not harborow theves." This monastery is situated in the wildest part of Cardiganshire, surrounded on three sides by a lofty range of those mountains, called by our author Ellennith; a spot admirably suited to the severe and recluse order of the Cistercians.
Note 131. [Melenydd or Maelienydd.]
Note 132. Leaving Stratflur, the archbishop and his train returned to Llanddewi Brefi [Map], and from thence proceeded to Llanbadarn Vawr [Map].
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Llanerchaeron Ceredigion
In 1230 Maelgwn Dinefwr (age 60) died at Llanerchaeron Ceredigion, South West Wales.
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Plas Gogerddan
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Plas Gogerddan Stone Row [Map]
Plas Gogerddan Stone Row is also in Standing Stones.
Plas Gogerddan Stone Row [Map]. Two standing stones, 140m apart, remain of what is believed to have been a three stone row erected in bronze age times. Excavation of the site in 1986 showed that one of the stones was not in its original position but a probable socket hole was located. This cast doubt on the antiquity of the row but other finds such as pits, cremation burials, other post holes and carbon dating demonstrate that the area was in use both as a domestic and a ritual site 3-4000 years ago.
Antiquity 2022 Volume 96.2: Waun Mawn, Pembrokeshire. Similar small-scale ceremonial sites have been recorded in the area. At Plas Gogerddan [Map], Ceredigion, 70km to the north, a possible three-stone row (Burl 1993: 256) was associated with a series of pits, a line of three massive postholes (a post row?), and three ring-ditches loosely dated to between the fourth and second millennia BC (Murphy 1992). Parc Maen, Llangollen, 7.5km to the south of Waun Mawn, includes a stone cairn, stone pairs and standing stones (Marshall & Murphy 1992). Rather more extensive is the complex at Glandy Cross [Map], Carmarthenshire, 10km south-east of Waun Mawn, where standing stones, timber post settings, a possible stone row, a small, Class I henge with an internal stone circle, enclosures, burial monuments and pit circles have been recorded (Kirk & Williams 2000). Thus the ensemble of monuments at Waun Mawn fits comfortably into a wider landscape of small-scale ceremonial centres, each with various elements but in no case including a large stone circle.
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Ceredigion, Plynlimon [Map]
Plynlimon [Map] is the source of both the River Severn and River Wye.
The River Severn rises on Plynlimon [Map] after which it passes Llanidloes [Map], Caersws [Map], Welshpool [Map], Crew Green [Map], Shrawardine, Shropshire [Map], Shrewsbury, Shropshire [Map], Wroxeter, Shropshire [Map], Coalport, Shropshire [Map], Bridgnorth, Shropshire [Map], Bewdley, Worcestershire [Map], Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire [Map] to Worcester, Worcestershire [Map]
From Worcester the rivers flows through Upton-upon-Severn, Worcestershire [Map] to Tewkesbury, Gloucestershire [Map] where it is joined by the Warwickshire River Avon, Gloucester [Map] becoming the Severn Estuary around Thornwell, Monmouthshire [Map].
The River Wye rises on Plynlimon [Map] after which it travels through, under, or near, Rhayader [Map], Newbridge-on-Wye [Map], Builth Wells [Map], Llanstephan Suspension Bridge [Map], Glasbury-on-Wye [Map], Hay-on-Wye [Map], Clifford Castle, Herefordshire [Map], Bredwardine, Byford, Herefordshire [Map], Wye Bridge Hereford [Map], Holme Lacy, Herefordshire [Map], Capler Camp, Herefordshire [Map], through Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire [Map], past Goodrich Castle, Gloucestershire [Map], Monmouth, Monmouthshire [Map], Tintern Abbey [Map] and Chepstow Castle [Map] joining the Severn Estuary 800m south-east of Thornwell, Monmouthshire [Map].
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Pontrhydfendigaid Ceredigion
Europe, British Isles, South West Wales, Pontrhydfendigaid Ceredigion, Strata Florida Abbey [Map]
The Itinerary of Archbishop Baldwin through Wales: Book 2 Chapter 4. A sermon having been preached on the following morning at Pont Stephen [Map],129 by the archbishop and archdeacon, and also by two abbots of the Cistercian order, John of Albadomus, and Sisillus of Stratflur [Map],130 who faithfully attended us in those parts, and as far as North Wales, many persons were induced to take the cross. We proceeded to Stratflur, where we passed the night. On the following morning, having on our right the lofty mountains of Moruge, which in Welsh are called Ellennith,131 we were met near the side of a wood by Cyneuric son of Rhys, accompanied by a body of light-armed youths. This young man was of a fair complexion, with curled hair, tall and handsome; clothed only, according to the custom of his country, with a thin cloak and inner garment, his legs and feet, regardless of thorns and thistles were left bare; a man, not adorned by art, but nature; bearing in his presence an innate, not an acquired, dignity of manners. A sermon having been preached to these three young men, Gruffydd, Malgon, and Cyneuric, in the presence of their father, prince Rhys, and the brothers disputing about taking the cross, at length Malgon strictly promised that he would accompany the archbishop to the king's court, and would obey the king's and archbishop's counsel, unless prevented by them. From thence we passed through Landewi Brevi [Map],132 that is, the church of David of Brevi, situated on the summit of that hill which had formerly risen up under his feet whilst preaching, during the period of that celebrated synod, when all the bishops, abbots, and clergy of Wales, and many other persons, were collected thither on account of the Pelagian heresy, which, although formerly exploded from Britain by Germanus, bishop of Auxerre, had lately been revived in these parts. At this place David was reluctantly raised to the archbishopric, by the unanimous consent and election of the whole assembly, who by loud acclamations testified their admiration of so great a miracle. Dubricius had a short time before resigned to him this honour in due form at Caerleon, from which city the metropolitan see was transferred to St. David's.
Note 129. Lampeter, or Llanbedr, a small town near the river Teivi, still retains the name of Pont-Stephen.
Note 130. Leland thus speaks of Ystrad Fflur [Map] or Strata Florida [Map]: "Strateflere is set round about with montanes not far distant, except on the west parte, where Diffrin Tyve is. Many hilles therabout hath bene well woddid, as evidently by old rotes apperith, but now in them is almost no woode - the causes be these. First, the wood cut down was never copisid, and this hath beene a cause of destruction of wood thorough Wales. Secondly, after cutting down of woodys, the gottys hath so bytten the young spring that it never grew but lyke shrubbes. Thirddely, men for the monys destroied the great woddis that thei should not harborow theves." This monastery is situated in the wildest part of Cardiganshire, surrounded on three sides by a lofty range of those mountains, called by our author Ellennith; a spot admirably suited to the severe and recluse order of the Cistercians.
Note 131. [Melenydd or Maelienydd.]
Note 132. Leaving Stratflur, the archbishop and his train returned to Llanddewi Brefi [Map], and from thence proceeded to Llanbadarn Vawr [Map].
On 25 Jul 1201 Gruffydd ap Rhys Dinefwr Prince Deheubarth died. He was buried at Strata Florida Abbey [Map].