Mwnt
Encyclopedia
Mwnt is a very small community and ancient parish in south Ceredigion
, Wales
, on the Irish Sea
coast about 4.5 miles from Cardigan
. It gets its name from the prominent steep conical hill, a landmark from much of Cardigan Bay
, that rises above the beach.
It was the site of an unsuccessful invasion by Flemings
in 1155, and its defeat was long afterwards celebrated on the first Sunday in January as "Sul Coch y Mwnt". It is said that the bones of the defeated invaders would occasionally be visible under the sand when uncovered by windy conditions in the early 20th century.
The Church of the Holy Cross is an example of a medieval sailor
's chapel of ease
. The site is said to have been used since the Age of the Saints, but the present building is probably 14th century. It has an example of a 12th or 13th century font
made of Preseli
stone. Mwnt was a civil parish
in its own right for several centuries, but before the 17th century it was a detached chapelry of the parish of Llangoedmor
. Since 1934, it has been part of the parish of Y Ferwig
.
The beach, but not the church, is owned by the National Trust
who exercise a conservation remit over both. The Irish Sea off Mwnt is rich in wildlife, being a regular summer home to dolphin
s, seals
and porpoise
s.
Ceredigion
Ceredigion is a county and former kingdom in mid-west Wales. As Cardiganshire , it was created in 1282, and was reconstituted as a county under that name in 1996, reverting to Ceredigion a day later...
, 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...
, on the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
coast about 4.5 miles from Cardigan
Cardigan, Ceredigion
Cardigan is a town in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. It lies on the estuary of the River Teifi at the point where Ceredigion meets Pembrokeshire. It was the county town of the pre-1974 county of Cardiganshire. It is the second largest town in Ceredigion. The town's population was 4,203...
. It gets its name from the prominent steep conical hill, a landmark from much of Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay
Cardigan Bay is a large inlet of the Irish Sea, indenting the west coast of Wales between Bardsey Island, Gwynedd in the north, and Strumble Head, Pembrokeshire at its southern end. It is the largest bay in Wales....
, that rises above the beach.
It was the site of an unsuccessful invasion by Flemings
Flanders
Flanders is the community of the Flemings but also one of the institutions in Belgium, and a geographical region located in parts of present-day Belgium, France and the Netherlands. "Flanders" can also refer to the northern part of Belgium that contains Brussels, Bruges, Ghent and Antwerp...
in 1155, and its defeat was long afterwards celebrated on the first Sunday in January as "Sul Coch y Mwnt". It is said that the bones of the defeated invaders would occasionally be visible under the sand when uncovered by windy conditions in the early 20th century.
The Church of the Holy Cross is an example of a medieval sailor
Sailor
A sailor, mariner, or seaman is a person who navigates water-borne vessels or assists in their operation, maintenance, or service. The term can apply to professional mariners, military personnel, and recreational sailors as well as a plethora of other uses...
's chapel of ease
Chapel of ease
A chapel of ease is a church building other than the parish church, built within the bounds of a parish for the attendance of those who cannot reach the parish church conveniently....
. The site is said to have been used since the Age of the Saints, but the present building is probably 14th century. It has an example of a 12th or 13th century font
Baptismal font
A baptismal font is an article of church furniture or a fixture used for the baptism of children and adults.-Aspersion and affusion fonts:...
made of Preseli
Preseli Hills
The Preseli Hills or Preseli Mountains are a range of hills in north Pembrokeshire, West Wales...
stone. Mwnt was a civil parish
Civil parish
In England, a civil parish is a territorial designation and, where they are found, the lowest tier of local government below districts and counties...
in its own right for several centuries, but before the 17th century it was a detached chapelry of the parish of Llangoedmor
Llangoedmor
Llangoedmor is a village 2 miles east of Cardigan, Ceredigion, Wales.It is also the name of a Community Council which encompasses Llechryd and parts of Penparc. Llangoedmore , is derived from the groves of Welsh Oak and other trees which existed there...
. Since 1934, it has been part of the parish of Y Ferwig
Y Ferwig
Y Ferwig is a small village and community about 2 to 3 miles from Cardigan, Wales.- Amenities :The village is made up of a parish church and a few houses. The community includes the village of Gwbert and Cardigan Island, and the National Trust area of Mwnt.-External links:*...
.
The beach, but not the church, is owned by the National Trust
National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty
The National Trust for Places of Historic Interest or Natural Beauty, usually known as the National Trust, is a conservation organisation in England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
who exercise a conservation remit over both. The Irish Sea off Mwnt is rich in wildlife, being a regular summer home to dolphin
Dolphin
Dolphins are marine mammals that are closely related to whales and porpoises. There are almost forty species of dolphin in 17 genera. They vary in size from and , up to and . They are found worldwide, mostly in the shallower seas of the continental shelves, and are carnivores, mostly eating...
s, seals
Pinniped
Pinnipeds or fin-footed mammals are a widely distributed and diverse group of semiaquatic marine mammals comprising the families Odobenidae , Otariidae , and Phocidae .-Overview: Pinnipeds are typically sleek-bodied and barrel-shaped...
and porpoise
Porpoise
Porpoises are small cetaceans of the family Phocoenidae; they are related to whales and dolphins. They are distinct from dolphins, although the word "porpoise" has been used to refer to any small dolphin, especially by sailors and fishermen...
s.