Llanafan Fawr: church of St Afan
The shape of the churchyard, the early medieval stones inside the church, and the dedication to St Afan indicate an early medieval beginning for the site. It may have been the mother church for the area. The earliest record of the church is 1291 and some medieval material survives in the present church. There have been many phases of rebuilding in the 18th and 19th centuries however, the final and most extensive rebuilding being by Stephen William Williams of Rhayader in 1887. An altar tomb inscribed to Saint Afan lies in the churchyard and is thought to be of 14th century date.
[B; Haslam; Theophilus Jones]
[B; Haslam; Theophilus Jones]
Llananno: church of St. Anno
Rood screen at Llananno church
Situated on its own on the East bank of the River Ithon, this small parish church may have had an early medieval origin but almost nothing is known of its history. In the Victorian period a report of a visit records that much renovation had already taken place but the church was in a dilapidated state. It was completely rebuilt by 1876-7 by David Walker of Liverpool re-using the stone where possible. The fine late 15th century rood screen (right) was restored at the same time.
[Haslam; RT; CPAT website]
[Haslam; RT; CPAT website]
Llanbadarn Fawr: church of St Padarn
It’s position on a terrace of the river Ithon, and it’s dedication to St Padarn suggest an early medieval origin. Some of the masonry may be of 12th century origin and the church is recorded in the 13th century. Nothing earlier than this survives. Church was rebuilt by Stephen William Williams of Rhayader in 1878-79 possibly re-using some of the medieval fabric. A Romanesque tympanum with a tree of life and leaping lions was incorporated from the medieval church and may be of 12th century date. The style of carving is similar to that of the work of the Herefordshire Romanesque school as used in churches at Kilpeck and Shobden.
[Haslam; CPAT Historic churches website]
[Haslam; CPAT Historic churches website]
Llanbister: parish church of St. Cynllo
St Cynllo’s church was the mother church for the cantref of Maelienydd. This fact and the dedication to St Cynllo make it likely that the church is of early medieval origin. Giraldus Cambrensis is said to have spent a night in the building on one of his ecclesiastical progresses round Wales in the 1170s, and the building is recorded in 1291. The nave of the current building dates from around 1300 with the chancel and tower being later (perhaps 16th century).
As the church is built into the steep eastern side of the Ithon valley the tower was unusually built on the eastern end of the church where a platform was dug into the hillside to accommodate it. Repair and reconstruction was undertaken in the 18th and 19th centuries before a large scale and sympathetic restoration in 1908.
[Haslam; Howse; CPAT Historic churches website]
As the church is built into the steep eastern side of the Ithon valley the tower was unusually built on the eastern end of the church where a platform was dug into the hillside to accommodate it. Repair and reconstruction was undertaken in the 18th and 19th centuries before a large scale and sympathetic restoration in 1908.
[Haslam; Howse; CPAT Historic churches website]
Llanbrynmair: Domen Fawr, Tafolwern
A motte-and-bailey castle situated on a promontory between the rivers of Iaen and Twymyn at the heart of Cyfeiliog. It has a large southern earth motte with a small bailey to the north on the tip of the promontory. It is thought the castle is of 12th century construction, possibly built by Owain Cyfeiliog. It is first recorded in 1162 when it was captured by Hywel ab Ieuaf of Arwystli through treachery. Owain Gwynedd took the castle soon after during his conquest of Cyfeiliog in that year. The castle further changed hands more than once during the campaigns of Henry II but was in the hands of Owain Cyfeiliog’s son Gwenwynwyn in the latter part of the century. Probably fell into disuse in the later medieval period.
[MC 59,19]
[MC 59,19]
Llanddew: church of St. David
It is believed that the church has an early medieval origin, with a clas being established here. A local tradition also makes this early religious settlement the sanctuary to which Eluned of Brecon fled around 500 AD. In the 12th century there was a palace of the Bishop of St Davids here. The parish was Geraldus Cambrensis’ own parish when he was Archdeacon of Brecknock. Archbishop Baldwyn visited here in 1187 on his mission to preach a crusade after the fall of Jerusalem. The earliest surviving parts of the church today date from the 13th century with rebuilding in the 17th and 18th centuries. By the mid nineteenth century, a fire and neglect had reduced the building to a ruinous state. It was restored in 1884 and 1900.
[Haslam; Extract from unknown publication at CAO; CPAT website]
[Haslam; Extract from unknown publication at CAO; CPAT website]