Dale - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
DALE, a village and parish, in the union of Haverfordwest, hundred of Rh�s, county of Pembroke, South Wales, 13 miles (S. W. by W.) from Haverfordwest; containing 392 inhabitants. This village is supposed to have derived its name from a contraction of De Vale, the name of one of its ancient lords, in whose time it was dignified with the title of a borough, and appears to have enjoyed certain immunities. It still preserves the right of pasturing cattle on a plot of ground, called Dale Meadow, after the lord of the manor has cleared off the hay, which privilege was granted to the holders of burgage tenements by Henry VII., who, when Earl of Richmond, landed at this place, on his expedition to wrest the crown of England from Richard III. Here he was met by Rhŷs ab Thomas, who advanced from Carew Castle with a well-disciplined and well-appointed band of followers, to join the standard of the earl, with whom he was present at Bosworth Field, and to whose success he materially contributed, not only by his influence in adding to the number of Henry's partisans, but by his valour and discretion in the field.
Dale is situated on a little bay forming one side of the entrance into Milford Haven, and affording, in Dale Roads, good anchorage for small vessels, which may ride in safety in two or three fathoms at low water. Block-houses were built here in the reign of Elizabeth, and a chain is said to have been drawn across the mouth of the Haven, from St. Anne's here to Angle Point on the opposite side, to obstruct the passage of the Spanish Armada. St. Anne's lighthouses were originally erected in 1712, by William Allen, Esq., to whom a lease was granted by the crown for ninety-nine years, which term expired in 1813: they were rebuilt and again opened in 1800. The lantern of one of them contains eleven lights, and has an elevation of 160 feet; that of the other has sixteen lights, at an elevation of 195 feet. Copper-ore was formerly worked in the parish. A fishery is carried on, employing six boats, chiefly in taking lobsters, oysters, and herrings, during their respective seasons; and there is a small trade in the importation of coal and culm from the interior of the county. The parishioners at large have the right of pasturing cattle on Pickleridge common.
The scenery is of a bold and striking character; and from the higher grounds are obtained some extensive and pleasing views over St. George's Channel to the south and east, and of the adjacent country to the north. Dale Castle, formerly the mansion of the Allens, passed by marriage with the heiress to John Lloyd, Esq., of Mabus, in the county of Cardigan, and is now the property of his grandson, John P. Lloyd Allen Phillips, Esq. It is an embattled structure, and has been modernised and greatly improved by the addition of two spacious wings, communicating with the centre by two circular projecting towers; the edifice now forms one of the finest castellated mansions in the county, and, from its situation, is a prominent and interesting object in the scenery of the place. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with �800 royal bounty; net income, �65; patron and impropriator, Mr. Phillips. The church, dedicated to St. James, and rebuilt in 1761 at the sole expense of John Allen, Esq., is a neat edifice, consisting of a nave and chancel, and containing an elegant font of marble, presented to the parish by the same gentleman. There is a place of worship for Wesleyan Methodists, and a Sunday school is held in the church. Along the cliffs by which this part of the coast is bounded, are remains of several ancient encampments, apparently of Danish construction. |
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