Llywel
Encyclopedia
Llywel is a small village
that gives its name to Llywel community
in Powys
, Wales
. The main settlement in the community is Trecastle
. According to the 2001 Census the population
of Llywel community is 524.
, about 8 miles West of Sennybridge
. The River Gwydderig
runs through the village, not far from its source.
and Saint Dyfrig.
(Welsh
: "Eglwys Dewi Sant") is found in Llywel. It is said to have originally been dedicated to three saints: David, Darn (Paternus
), and Teilo; and known as Llantrisant. Its name was changed when it was granted to the Chapter of Saint David sometime between 1203 and 1229
The church displays Perpendicular Gothic
architecture. In the churchyard is buried the 19th Century Welsh
writer
and preacher
David Owen (Brutus)
.
stone known as the "Llywel Stone" (because it was brought to the attention of the museum by the local vicar) that was found at the church is now on display at the British Museum
. The inscription on the stone is 'MACCVTRENI + SALICIDVNI'. The stone to be found within the church at nearby Defynnog is probably in better condition.
The British Museum describes the ""Llywel Stone" as a 'standing stone / gate-post'. A photograph and further description may be found at:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=95579&partid=1
The National Park booklet:
http://www.breconbeacons.org/visit-us/about-the-brecon-beacons/field-monuments/view
provides a drawing of the Llywel Stone and states that copies reside with Llywel Church and the Brecknockshire museum in Brecon.
The Llywel Stone was found close to a nearby farm:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/cisp/database/site/tcstl.html
Village
A village is a clustered human settlement or community, larger than a hamlet with the population ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand , Though often located in rural areas, the term urban village is also applied to certain urban neighbourhoods, such as the West Village in Manhattan, New...
that gives its name to Llywel community
Community (Wales)
A community is a division of land in Wales that forms the lowest-tier of local government in Wales. Welsh communities are analogous to civil parishes in England....
in Powys
Powys
Powys is a local-government county and preserved county in Wales.-Geography:Powys covers the historic counties of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire, most of Brecknockshire , and a small part of Denbighshire — an area of 5,179 km², making it the largest county in Wales by land area.It is...
, Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. The main settlement in the community is Trecastle
Trecastle
Trecastle is a village in Powys, Wales, on the edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park.Trecastle is named after an early 12th century motte-and-bailey fortification , built by Bernard de Neufmarche and designed to protect Brecon from attack from the west...
. According to the 2001 Census the population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of Llywel community is 524.
Location
Llywel village is located on the A40 roadA40 road
The A40 is a major trunk road connecting London to Fishguard, Wales and officially called The London to Fishguard Trunk Road in all legal documents and Acts...
, about 8 miles West of Sennybridge
Sennybridge
Sennybridge is a village in Powys, Mid Wales, situated some from Cardiff and from Swansea. It lies west of Brecon on the A40 trunk road to Llandovery, at the point where the River Senni flows into the Usk...
. The River Gwydderig
Afon Gwydderig
The River Gwydderig or Afon Gwydderig in Welsh is a tributary of the River Bran . It rises as the Nant Gwydderig on the southern slopes of Mynydd Bwlch-y-groes, about 3 miles North of the small village of Llywel, Powys...
runs through the village, not far from its source.
Etymology
Llywel, occasionally referred to in texts as Llowel, is believed to be the name of a minor Welsh Saint. He is said to have been a disciple of Saint TeiloSaint Teilo
Saint Teilo, was a British Christian saint - a monk, bishop and founder of monasteries and churches. He was from Penalun , near Tenby, in Pembrokeshire, in south Wales...
and Saint Dyfrig.
Church
The Church of Saint DavidSaint David
Saint David was a Welsh Bishop during the 6th century; he was later regarded as a saint and as the patron saint of Wales. David was a native of Wales, and a relatively large amount of information is known about his life. However, his birth date is still uncertain, as suggestions range from 462 to...
(Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
: "Eglwys Dewi Sant") is found in Llywel. It is said to have originally been dedicated to three saints: David, Darn (Paternus
Paternus
Saint Paternus of Avranches in Normandy was born around the year 482, although the exact year is unknown, in Poitiers, Poitou. He was born into a Christian family. His father Patranus went to Ireland to spend his days as a hermit in holy solitude. Because of this, Paternus embraced religious life....
), and Teilo; and known as Llantrisant. Its name was changed when it was granted to the Chapter of Saint David sometime between 1203 and 1229
The church displays Perpendicular Gothic
English Gothic architecture
English Gothic is the name of the architectural style that flourished in England from about 1180 until about 1520.-Introduction:As with the Gothic architecture of other parts of Europe, English Gothic is defined by its pointed arches, vaulted roofs, buttresses, large windows, and spires...
architecture. In the churchyard is buried the 19th Century Welsh
Welsh language
Welsh is a member of the Brythonic branch of the Celtic languages spoken natively in Wales, by some along the Welsh border in England, and in Y Wladfa...
writer
Writer
A writer is a person who produces literature, such as novels, short stories, plays, screenplays, poetry, or other literary art. Skilled writers are able to use language to portray ideas and images....
and preacher
Preacher
Preacher is a term for someone who preaches sermons or gives homilies. A preacher is distinct from a theologian by focusing on the communication rather than the development of doctrine. Others see preaching and theology as being intertwined...
David Owen (Brutus)
David Owen (Brutus)
David Owen David Owen David Owen (?December 1796 - 16 January 1866, known by the pseudonym Brutus, was a Welsh satirical writer, editor and preacher.He was born in Llanpumsaint, Carmarthenshire where he was brought up as a Congregationalist. Thereafter he spent periods of time in other parts...
.
Llywel Stone
An OghamOgham
Ogham is an Early Medieval alphabet used primarily to write the Old Irish language, and occasionally the Brythonic language. Ogham is sometimes called the "Celtic Tree Alphabet", based on a High Medieval Bríatharogam tradition ascribing names of trees to the individual letters.There are roughly...
stone known as the "Llywel Stone" (because it was brought to the attention of the museum by the local vicar) that was found at the church is now on display at the British Museum
British Museum
The British Museum is a museum of human history and culture in London. Its collections, which number more than seven million objects, are amongst the largest and most comprehensive in the world and originate from all continents, illustrating and documenting the story of human culture from its...
. The inscription on the stone is 'MACCVTRENI + SALICIDVNI'. The stone to be found within the church at nearby Defynnog is probably in better condition.
The British Museum describes the ""Llywel Stone" as a 'standing stone / gate-post'. A photograph and further description may be found at:
http://www.britishmuseum.org/research/search_the_collection_database/search_object_details.aspx?objectid=95579&partid=1
The National Park booklet:
http://www.breconbeacons.org/visit-us/about-the-brecon-beacons/field-monuments/view
provides a drawing of the Llywel Stone and states that copies reside with Llywel Church and the Brecknockshire museum in Brecon.
The Llywel Stone was found close to a nearby farm:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/archaeology/cisp/database/site/tcstl.html