Llanigon: Church of St Eigon
The dedication to this early saint, the shape of the churchyard and the location suggest an early medieval origin for this Wye valley site. The earliest references to the church date from the 13th century and much of the fabric of the church may date from around this period. Only one original window survives however and the church has been restored many times, the most recent as a result of bomb damage in the Second World War. Unusually there is a bell chamber over the porch. The walls of the nave are said to have had medieval wall decorations but these disappeared during the later renovations of the 19th century.
[Haslam; Historic Churches Sebsite]
[Haslam; Historic Churches Sebsite]
Llanigon: Railway Accident
On the stormy night of June 17th 1880 the Digedi brook burst its banks and undermined the masonry railway bridge. The evening passenger train from Hereford to Brecon passed over safely but the the bridge collapsed behind it. A following goods train plunged into the brook from the embankment, the eleven trucks piling on top of the engine in the dark. The driver George Parker was killed and the engineer John Williams crippled.
[Poole]
[Poole]
Llanllugan: Church of St. Mary
Believed to have been founded in the 6th century by Llorcan Wyddel (also known as Lawrence the Irishman) and his wife, a disciple of St Beuno, it is thought to have become a Celtic Christian women's community. In the 12th century, Robert ab Meredudd, - Lord of Cedewain - donated land to build a nunnery here. The Cistercian nuns arrived around 1190 and the convent was confirmed by charter around 1240. Its founder, Maredudd ap Rhobert, endowed it with the manor of Llanllugan and the convent was granted funds from the incomes of Llanfair Caereinion and Llanllwchaiarn parishes and had a grange at nearby Gwernfyda. The “abbey” was always a small community. In 1377 it was recorded as consisting of one abbess and four nuns. At some point it became a daughter house to Strata Marcella.
The current church building dates from late 14th century, and was built as a small abbey church for the convent. A window survives from 1453, though it survives mainly in jumbled fragments. It is said that the window was taken out at the time of dissolution and hidden until it was safe to restore it. The church was extensively repaired in 1874 and again in the 20th century.
[Haslam; Williams; Historic Churches Survey]
The current church building dates from late 14th century, and was built as a small abbey church for the convent. A window survives from 1453, though it survives mainly in jumbled fragments. It is said that the window was taken out at the time of dissolution and hidden until it was safe to restore it. The church was extensively repaired in 1874 and again in the 20th century.
[Haslam; Williams; Historic Churches Survey]
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant: Church of St Dogfan
The church lies on the bank of the river Tanat and is dedicated to St Dogfan, yet another son of King Brychan of Brycheiniog. The original foundation was a clas and was probably the mother church for the whole of Mochnant. The existing church has an early medieval tomb slab inside but nothing of this early foundation survives. There some small indications of a 14th century church in the present building but most of what is visible now is of a much later date. The single cell building may have been enlarged about that time. The tower is of 18th century date but built on an earlier base.
Dr William Morgan the translator of the Bible into Welsh was vicar of this church and parish from 1578 to 1588.
[Haslam; MC 4 & 5]
Dr William Morgan the translator of the Bible into Welsh was vicar of this church and parish from 1578 to 1588.
[Haslam; MC 4 & 5]
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant: Maesmochnant Standing Stone
Also known as Post Coch and Post Wiber (pillar of the snake) the probable Bronze Age standing stone stands 3.7 metres on level ground in the Tanat valley. Its position suggests it may once have marked a routeway up the valley.
[Burnham]
[Burnham]
Llanrhaeadr-ym-Mochnant: Rhos-y-beddau stone circle
Circle of low stones on a roughly level platform on open moorland above Pistyll Rhaeadr. An avenue of similar stones leads away from the circle eastwards past a small kerb cairn. Together with other sites in the area these should be considered as part of a wider ritual Bronze Age complex.
[Burnham; McCormack]
[Burnham; McCormack]
Llansantffraed (Brecs.): Church of St. Bridget
There may have been an early medieval church on the site, and a St Bridget's church appears in 12th century records. Theophilus Jones recorded that the church had been rebuilt in 1690. The current gothic-style building is the work of Rhayader architect Stephen William Williams who built the church in 1884-5 re-using some of the stone and one window from its ruinous predecessor. (Williams later built the house at nearby Buckland for J.P.W. Gwynne Holford)
Renowned 17th century metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan is buried in the churchyard.
[Haslam; Poole]
Renowned 17th century metaphysical poet Henry Vaughan is buried in the churchyard.
[Haslam; Poole]