Brecon: Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist
The Priory of St John the Evangelist in Brecon was founded by Bernard de Neufmarché shortly after he defeated Rhys ap Tewdwr, overlord of Brycheiniog, in 1093. Bernard gave the existing church of St John to the newly founded Benedictine abbey at Battle at the request of one Roger, a monk of Battle Abbey, who was a follower of Bernard's. This Roger then began the rebuilding of the church 'from the foundations' and the addition of domestic buildings. The Priory at Brecon was to remain a dependant cell of Battle Abbey until the suppression of the monasteries under Henry VIII. The priory church was to serve also as the parish church for Brecon, the townspeople using the nave and the monks the rest of the church. The parish priest was appointed by the Abbot. The priory is known to have had several relics in its possession. From at least 1408 the church was known as the church of Holy Rood or Holy Cross because of the great 'golden rood' which was an object of pilgrimage until it was destroyed in the Dissolution.
The Priory owned land in and around the town of Brecon and estates in Wales and the borders and various border lords added to its holdings. Although the Abbot had great influence locally through administration of the estates and power of appointment over dependant churches, there were never more than six accompanying monks at the priory.
At the dissolution of the priory in 1538, Prior Robert Halden was given a pension. Most of the priory buildings and much of the estate was granted to Sir John Price. As the church was still in use as a parish church there were disputes over the lead from the roof and the bells. The priory buildings were adapted to secular use and the cloisters themselves were finally demolished in the eighteenth century. By the early nineteenth century the church was in poor repair with windows boarded over and only the nave fit for use. Lord Camden paid for small scale renovations in 1836 which kept the building in use, but it was not until the report on the state of the church commissioned from Gilbert Scott that major renovation took place in the 1860's and 70's. The tower was strengthened in 1914 and the south-east chapels restored to medieval dimensions later.
By the 1890's there were firm proposals for the creation of a new diocese for Swansea and Brecon but this did not really get under way until the disestablishment of the church in Wales. The new diocese was finally formerly established in 1923. Within twenty years the buildings in the area of the former priory were all acquired for the cathedral and chapter by purchase or gift.
[RCAHM - "The Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, Brecon ]
The Priory owned land in and around the town of Brecon and estates in Wales and the borders and various border lords added to its holdings. Although the Abbot had great influence locally through administration of the estates and power of appointment over dependant churches, there were never more than six accompanying monks at the priory.
At the dissolution of the priory in 1538, Prior Robert Halden was given a pension. Most of the priory buildings and much of the estate was granted to Sir John Price. As the church was still in use as a parish church there were disputes over the lead from the roof and the bells. The priory buildings were adapted to secular use and the cloisters themselves were finally demolished in the eighteenth century. By the early nineteenth century the church was in poor repair with windows boarded over and only the nave fit for use. Lord Camden paid for small scale renovations in 1836 which kept the building in use, but it was not until the report on the state of the church commissioned from Gilbert Scott that major renovation took place in the 1860's and 70's. The tower was strengthened in 1914 and the south-east chapels restored to medieval dimensions later.
By the 1890's there were firm proposals for the creation of a new diocese for Swansea and Brecon but this did not really get under way until the disestablishment of the church in Wales. The new diocese was finally formerly established in 1923. Within twenty years the buildings in the area of the former priory were all acquired for the cathedral and chapter by purchase or gift.
[RCAHM - "The Cathedral Church of St John the Evangelist, Brecon ]
Brecon: Christ's College
Around 1250 the Dominican Blackfriars founded a friary on the site. They were a preaching order and preferred sites which were by busy roadways. There may have been a bridge across the Usk at this time or it may be that a patron offered the Friars this site close to the river crossing. Flooding was to be a problem over the centuries. The buildings seemed to follow the simple pattern of a church and cloister though these were enlarged in the fourteenth century. At the time of its dissolution in 1538 there were just nine friars under the prior, Richard David. This probably represents a decline from an earlier flourishing community. Not long after the closing of the friary the building and all its lands were granted by the king to the Bishop of St David's. At this time the king, through the Acts of Union passed between 1536 and 1543, was busy forcing Wales to comply with English political and legal systems. The bishop's palace for the diocese of St David's was moved to Abergwili, where it was thought to be less remote, and the College of Prebends was moved to the old priory site at Brecon where the Charter creating the new Christ's College where "the Welsh rudeness would soon be framed to English civility". The education provided was very much influenced by the close connection with the Church of England and depended very much on the personal interest and commitment of the bishop.
At its most successful the College had between 40 and 60 pupils who received a classical and theological education and were entitled to ordination. An early pupil was John Penry who was to become a puritan martyr. William Laud was a regular visitor while Bishop of St David's.
At its most successful the College had between 40 and 60 pupils who received a classical and theological education and were entitled to ordination. An early pupil was John Penry who was to become a puritan martyr. William Laud was a regular visitor while Bishop of St David's.
Brecon: Gaer
The Roman fort stands on a raised terrace in the angle of the confluence of the rivers Ysgir and Usk. The site was excavated in 1924 and 1925 by Mortimer Wheeler revealing a two period main occupation. A turf and timber fort with external bathhouse was first erected around 80 AD with later consolidation and stone ramparts and gates. This second period of construction is thought to have been around 140 AD. At this time it appears that the orientation of the fort may have been changed with the main entrance being switched to the North side. A new commandant's residence was constructed at this time also.
A broken tombstone to a trooper called Candidus reveals that a cavalry wing of Vettonian Spaniards were stationed here, and they may have been the unit that built the fort in the first place.
It is thought there was a civilian settlement or vicus to the north of the fort. There is some evidence of iron smelting in this area. There is evidence of crude repairs to the stone ramparts in the 4th century but little is known of the later history of the site.
[B; Brecknock Hillforts and Roman Remains (RCAHMW); CPAT website]
A broken tombstone to a trooper called Candidus reveals that a cavalry wing of Vettonian Spaniards were stationed here, and they may have been the unit that built the fort in the first place.
It is thought there was a civilian settlement or vicus to the north of the fort. There is some evidence of iron smelting in this area. There is evidence of crude repairs to the stone ramparts in the 4th century but little is known of the later history of the site.
[B; Brecknock Hillforts and Roman Remains (RCAHMW); CPAT website]
A Roman tombstone at the Gaer
This engraving dating from 1809 shows the gravestone known locally as Maen y Morwynion (the Maidens' stone) still in its roadside location.
The stone is a Roman monument set up - as was the custom - along the roadside outside the Roman settlement at the Gaer near Brecon (See entry below left). Although the inscription is damaged and worn it appears to be a wife's monument to her deceased husband. The stone is now located at the Brecknock Museum.
[Archives document B/D/CL/1/3]
The stone is a Roman monument set up - as was the custom - along the roadside outside the Roman settlement at the Gaer near Brecon (See entry below left). Although the inscription is damaged and worn it appears to be a wife's monument to her deceased husband. The stone is now located at the Brecknock Museum.
[Archives document B/D/CL/1/3]
Brecon: Gaol
A new gaol and House of Correction for the county was built on the site on the Western edge of Brecon in 1781 replacing the wretched Watton gaol. The new establishment offered much better conditions but the regime was still not in line with the more enlightened conditions offered in some parts of the country. Prisoners in Brecon had little opportunity to excercise or family visits.
In the 1830s Governor John Lazenby - who had been Chief Constable of the Carmarthenshire Constabulary - began to improve conditions. He remained in post for 40 years and oversaw a gradual programme of replacement of existing buildings with better ones.
The gaol closed in 1915 but was briefly re-opened the following year for prisoners of war.
[B; P.J.R. Goodall - Ring the Bell in the Gaols of Brecon]
In the 1830s Governor John Lazenby - who had been Chief Constable of the Carmarthenshire Constabulary - began to improve conditions. He remained in post for 40 years and oversaw a gradual programme of replacement of existing buildings with better ones.
The gaol closed in 1915 but was briefly re-opened the following year for prisoners of war.
[B; P.J.R. Goodall - Ring the Bell in the Gaols of Brecon]
Brecon (Hunt)
Kennels: Canal Bank, Brecon. Station: Brecon. Couple of hounds: 25. Master: Capt JDD Evans. Whippers in: B Jennett K.H., Capt JV Rees, Mr JRP Jeffreys. Secretary: Capt JV Rees, Brecon and County Club, Brecon. Hunt uniform: Evening dress: Scarlet. Green plush collar, eau-de-nil facings, hunt buttons. Minimum subscription £10 (regular membership), £5 Ladies. Hunting days: Wednesday, Saturday. Description of Country: "Vale and excellent moorland with the soundest of going. Good galloping horses, handy and that can go up and down hill". Hunting centres: Talgarth, Three Cocks. Principal Meets: Aberysgair Hill Gate, Abercamlais Gate, Aberbran Bridge, Barracks Brecon, Beilibrith Gate, Blaengwdy, Bolgoed, Brechfa Pool, Bulwark Brecon, Cantref Bridge, Cynwyn, Cwmsorgwm Gate, Cwmcynwyn Hill Gate, Ffrwdgrech, Glyncelyn, Gwenddwr, Highgrove, Llanddew, Libanus, Lock Bridge, Merthyr Cynog, Oaklands, Penwern, Scethrog, Talgarth, Traeth Manor, Upper Chapel, Vunglas Gate.
[The foxhunters' yearbook 1930-1931]
[The foxhunters' yearbook 1930-1931]