Saron Chapel, Cwmwysg, Llywel. Photograph © John Ball, Brecon.

Llywel - From 'A Topographical Dictionary of Wales' (1849)
LLYWEL, a parish, in the hundred of Devynock, union and county of Brecknock, South Wales; containing 1684 inhabitants; and comprising the townships of Traian-Glâs, Traian-Mawr, and Is-Clydach, in one of which is situated the village of Trêcastle (an ancient ward of the borough of Brecknock), from which the rest of the parishioners obtain their letters. The name of this parish, originally Lle Wyllt, or "the place of Wyllt," appears to be derived from its having been selected as a station for his army by Idio Wyllt, or the Wild, an Irish nephew of Rhŷs ab Tewdwr, to whom (in gratitude for his services in suppressing the rebellion of his turbulent subjects) that prince had granted the lordship of Llywel, comprising all the lands on the east of the river Towy, from Llangadock to Abergwessin. Idio, with a view to strengthen himself against the opposition of the original inhabitants, who submitted to his authority with reluctance, married the daughter of Bleddyn ab Maenarch, Prince of Brycheiniog, and maintained a powerful force upon the heights of Llywel, which were well suited to his purpose. From this station, he could repel any attacks either from Brecknockshire or Carmarthenshire, and he could easily descend at any time into the vales on both sides, for the suppressions of rebellions, the procuring of supplies, or the enforcement of the payment of taxes. To the occupation of these heights by Idio, and the strong position of his army, may be attributed the preservation of the lordship of Llywel from falling into the hands of Bernard Newmarch, upon his conquest of the other parts of the ancient Brycheiniog.

The parish lies in the western part of the county, on the confines of Carmarthenshire, and is skirted by the river Usk. The turnpike-road from Brecknock to Llandovery passes through the village, which is distant about a mile north-north-westward from Trêcastle, and is also intersected by a small rivulet named Nant-y-Gwared: this rivulet here divides into two streams, which run in different directions, one southeastward into the Usk, and the other westward into the Towy. The surface is hilly, in some parts even mountainous; and from the highest elevation in the parish, called Trêcastle Mountain, and situated near its southern confines, descend numerous rivulets, that have worn themselves deep furrows, through which they flow in almost every direction. Of these, such as issue from the north side of the mountain join the river Gwydderig, which, flowing along the narrow vale of Cwm-y-Dwr, circumscribes its base on that side, and, pursuing a course westward, falls into the Towy river. The streams that descend on the south side of the heights are received by the river Usk, which runs along a broader vale than that of Cwm-yDwr, although the level meadow land on each side of the stream seldom exceeds a few yards in breadth: this river continues in an eastern course. The Usk has its rise in a pool termed Llyn-y-Van, between the lofty summits of two adjacent mountains, designated respectively Ban Brycheiniog and Ban Sir Gaer, the Brecknockshire and the Carmarthenshire Beacon, near the spot where this parish unites with that of Llanthoysaint in the county of Carmarthen. A range of hills connected with the Eppynt chain rises to the north of Trêcastle, and is intersected from north to south by two valleys, along one of which flows the river Kilieni, that separates Llywel parish from Llandeilio'r-Van; and along the other the river Clydach, that rises in this parish, and falls into the Usk a little above the bridge on the turnpike-road to Trêcastle, and gives name to the hamlet of Is-Clydach, situated on its south-eastern banks. The sides of the deep narrow dells which in several parts furrow the mountains, meet almost abruptly, and, though partly arable, are in some places clothed with underwood. The bridges in the parish, being generally on the turnpike-road, are kept in repair at the expense of the county. The woollen manufacture is crrried on here upon a limited scale, affording employment to a few of the inhabitants; there are two small factories, in each of which the wool is carded, spun, and woven into coarse cloth and blankets.

The living is a vicarage, rated in the king's books at £9. 10. 5.; present net income, £152; patron, the Bishop of St. David's; appropriators, the Dean and Chapter of St. David's. Llywel church, once called Llantrisant, from its dedication to three saints, viz., David, Padarn, and Teilo, is an ancient structure, consisting of a nave and chancel, with a strong tower at the west end, and stands on ground of more lofty elevation than does perhaps any other church in Brecknockshire, except that of Penderin. The interior displays some vestiges of antiquity in the original roof, and the old rood-loft is still remaining. The parish-clerk, or sexton, claims and receives mortuaries on the interment of every person, except paupers, and the residents in Trêcastle, who pay four-pence in lieu of them; which claim was recognised by a terrier signed by the vicar and principal inhabitants of the parish, in 1800, and confirmed by the ecclesiastical court. These mortuaries consist of the best hat, wig, cravat, gloves, girdle, breeches, shoes, and stockings of the deceased, if a male; and if a wife or widow, of the best hood, cap, riband, handkerchief, gloves, and shoes and stockings; for which a composition may be made at the option of the surviving relatives of the deceased. In the hamlet of Is-Clydach is the endowed chapel of Rhŷd-yBriw. There are three places of worship for Calvinistic Methodists, and one each for Baptists and Independents. A day school in connexion with the Established Church is held at Trêcastle; and the parish contains nine Sunday schools, two of which, at Llywel and Trêcastle, are conducted on Church principles. It has frequently enjoyed the benefit of one of Mrs. Bevan's circulating schools, and on one occasion, commencing in 1822, for four years successively. John Jeffreys, of London, in 1706, or about that time, bequeathed £5 per annum to the poor of the parish, charged upon the impropriate tithes of Merthyr-Cynog; this has since become a rent-charge on a tenement called Cwmllwyvog, and a meadow named Waunddû, in this parish, and is paid by John Lloyd Vaughan Watkins, Esq., of Pennoyre, near Brecknock, whose ancestor purchased the at property. Roger Jeffreys, of Berthddû, in the parish, in 1714, charged certain lands near Rhŷd-y-Briw, with the annual payment of 20s., to be distributed among the poor of the hamlet of Is-Clydach. The Via Julia Montana, from Caerleon to Carmarthen, passed through the parish from east to west; some vestiges of it were to be seen near Rhŷd-y-Briw about half a century since.