THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES •i.'/ «F» '? 7^^ ^-" The Royal Commission on The Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constmctions of Wales and Monmouthshire. AN ^INVENTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE. To be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from WVMAN AND SONS, Ltd., Fetter Lane, E.C. ; or OLIVER AND BOYD, Tvveeddale Court, Edinburgh; or E. PONSONBY, Ltd., ii6, Grafton Street, Dublin. I'RI.NTED BY JAS. TRUSCOTT and SON, Ltd., London, E.C. Price 1911. m 7H0 CONTENTS. PAOE Royal Warrant op His late Majesty King Bdwaed the Seventh appointing THE Commission --...-..iv Royal "Warrant of His Majesty King George the Fifth ratifying and confirming the Commission --.... v List of Parishes ----.--.vi List of Illustrations --------vii List of Maps ------- _.ix List of Monuments specified by the Commissioners as especially worthy of Preservation ........ -^ Introduction to Inventoby --..... xiii An Inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Constructions OF the County op Montgomery ...... \ Index ----.-... 16.— Wt. T.L. 280. 8/11. J. T. k S. 1314730 vr Royal Warrant authorizing and appointing the Commission. EDWARD, R. & I. EDWARD THE SEVENTH, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irehind and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, to Our trusty and well-beloved : — SiK JouN Rhvs, Knight, Principal of Jesus College, in Our University of Oxford and Professor of Celtic in Our said University; Edward Anwyl, Esquire, Master of Arts, Professor of Celtic in the University College of Wales, Aberystwyth ; Robert Carr Bosanquet, Esquire, Master of Arts, Professor of Classical Archaeology in the University of Liverpool; Robert Hughes, Esquire, Ex-Lord Mayor of the City of Cardiff, President of the Cardiff Cymmrodorion Society ; Griffith Hartwell Jones, Doctor of Divinity, Rector of Nutfield; William Edwin Llewellyn Morgan, Esquire, Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel on the retired list of Our Army ; and Evan Vincent-Evans, Esquire, Secretary of the Honourable Society of Cym- mrodorion ; GREETING! Whereas We have deemed it expedient that a Commission should forthwith issue to make an inventory of the Ancient and Historical Monuments and Con- structions connected with or illustrative of the contemporary culture, civilisation and conditions of life of the people in Wales and Monmouthshire from the earliest times, and to specify those which seem most worthy of preservation : Now know ye, that We, reposing great trust and confidence in your knowledge and ability, have authorized and appointed, and do by these presents authorize and appoint you, the said Sir John Rhys (Chairman); Edward Anwyl; Robert Carr Bosanquet; Robert Hughes; Griffith Hartwell Jones; William Edwin Llewellyn Morgan; and Evan Vincent-Evans, to be Our Commissioners for the purposes of the said inquiry: And for the better enabling you to carry out the purposes of this Our Com- mission, We do by these Presents authorize you to call m the aid and co-operation of owners of ajicient monuments, inviting them to assist you in furthering the objects of the Commission ; and to invite the possessors of such papers as you may deem it desirable to inspect to produce them before you : And we do further give and grant unto you, or any three or more of you, full power to call before you such persons as you shall judge likely to afford you any information upon the subject of this Our Commission; and also to call for, have access to and examine all such books, documents, registers and records as may afford you the fullest information on the subject, and to inquire of and concerning the premises by all other lawful ways and means whatsoever : And We do by these Presents authorize and empower you, or any three or more of you, to visit and personally inspect such places as you may deem it expedient so to inspect for the more effectual carrying out of the purposes aforesaid : And We do by these Presents will and ordain that this Our Commission shall continue in full force and virtue, and that you, Our said Commissioners, or any three or more of you, may from time to time proceed in the execution thereof, and of every matter and thing therein contained, although the same be not continued from time to time by adjournment : And We do further ordain that you, or any three or more of you, have liberty to report your proceedings under this Our Commission from time to time if you shall judge it expedient so to do : And Our further will and pleasure is that you do, with as little delay as possible, report to Us, under your hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of any three or more of you, your opinion upon the matters herein submitted for your consideration. And for the purpose of aiding you in your inquiries We hereby appoint Our trusty and well-beloved Edward Owen, Esquire, of the India Office, Barrister-at- Law, to be Secretary to this Our Commission, and Our trusty and well-beloved Philip Edward Thomas, Esquire, Bachelor of Arts, to be Assistant Secretary to the Commission. Given at Our Court at St. James's, the tenth day of August, one thousand nine hundred and eight, in the eighth year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command. H. J. GLADSTONE. Royal Warrant ratifying and confirming the Commission. GEORGE R. I. GEORGE THE FIFTH, by the Grace of God, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and of the British Dominions beyond the Seas King, Defender of the Faith, to all to whom these Presents shall come, GREETING ! Whereas it pleased His late Majesty from time to time to issue Royal Com- missions of Enquiry for various purposes therein specified : And whereas, in the case of certain of these Commissions, namely, those known as — The Ancient Monuments (Wales and Monmouthshire) Commission, the Commissioners appointed by His Late Majesty, or such of them as were then acting as Commissioners, were at the late Demise of the Crown, still engaged upon the business entrusted to them : And whereas We deem it expedient that the said Commissioners should continue their labours in connection with the said enquiries notwithstanding the late Demise of the Crown : Now know ye that We, reposing great trust and confidence in the zeal, dis- cretion and ability of the present members of each of the said Commissions, do by these Presents authorize them to continue their labours, and do hereby in every essential particular ratify and confirm the terms of the said several Commissions. And We do further ordain that the said Commissioners do report to Us under their hands and seals, or under the hands and seals of such of their number as may be specified in the said Commissions respectively, their opinion upon the matters presented for their consideration; and that any proceedings which they or any of them may have taken under and in pursuance of the said Commissions since the late Demise of the Crown and before the issue of these Presents shall be deemed and adjudged to have been taken under and in virtue of this Our Commission. Given at Our Court at Saint James's, the twenty-sixth day of May, one thousand nine hundred and ten, in the first year of Our Reign. By His Majesty's Command. R. B. HALDANE. 'o"- LIST OF PARISHES. The divisions adopted are those of the Civil Parishes in the Administrative County, following the arrangement in Table 11 of the Census Reports of England and Wales for the year 1901. PAGE Aberhafesp ------- 1 Aston 2 Bausley ..-.--. 3 Berriew ------- 4 Bettws Cedewen ------ 7 Brithdir (no entries) — Caereinion Fechan (no entries) - - - — Camo 10 Carreghofa -------13 Castle Caereinion Rm-al - - - - 16 Castle Caereinion Urban - - - - 17 Castlewrighl ...--- 19 Cemmes -------21 Churchstoke 23 Cletterwood 27 Criggion -------29 Darowen ------- 31 Forden -.-.---34 Garthbeibio ...... SS Gnilsfield Within 40 Guilsfield Without 41 Himant - 47 Hope 50 Hyssington -------60 Is y garreg -------51 Kerry ---.-.-52 Leighton ------- 61 Llanbrynmair ..---- 62 Llandinam --.-..-67 Llandrinio ---.---73 Llandysilio --..--- 75 Llandyssil -------76 Llanerfyl -------78 Llanfair Caereinion ----- 83 Llanfechain .-.-.- 88 Llanfihangel yng Ngwynfa - . - - 91 PAGE LlanfylHn -------95 Llangadfan -.----- 97 Llaiigurig ------- 103 Llaiigynog ------- 108 Llangynyw ------- 112 Llanidloes Within ----- 114 Llanidloes Without 115 Llanllugan ------- 119 LlaiiUwchaiam ------ 120 Llaiinieiewig ------ 122 Llanrhaiadr ym Mochnant - . - - 123 Llansantffraid Deuddwr - - - - 129 Tilansantffraid Pool 130 Llauwddj-n ------- 133 LlanwTiog ------- 137 Llanwrin ..----. l4l Llanwyddelan ------ 143 Machynlleth ------ I44 Manafon 147 Meifod 148 Middletown 163 Mochdre ------- 164 Montgomery ------ 165 Newtown ------- 161 Penegoes ------- 164 Pennant ------- 167 Penstrowed ------- 169 Rhosgoch ------- 169 Snead 170 Trefeglwys 170 Tregynon ------- 176 Trelyetan 177 Trewern - - - - - - -177 Uppington ------- 178 Uwch y garreg 179 Welshpool 181 TU LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. BERRIEW. PAGE Fig. 1. Maen Beuno (No. 13) : plate ........ 4, Fig. 2. „ „ plate showing glacial markings ..... 4 From the Worthington Smith draunngs in the Shrewsbury Public Mmseum. Photographs by R. L. Bartlett, Shrewsbury. CARREGHOFA. Figs. 3-4. Clawdd Coch (No. 63) : plan and sections - . ' . - - 13 From Montgomeryshire Collections (1878), xi, 193. (a) Fig. 5. Bronze spear head (No. 70) --.-.-.-15 (6) Figs. 6-7. Bronze fibula (No. 72) - - - - - . - - 15 (c) Figs. 8-9. Late-Celtic horse-bit (No. 71) : plate --...- 15 (o) and (6) in the Welshpool Museum. Photographs by J. H. Anderson Sc Son, Welshpool. (c) Photograph by the possessor, Mr. W. H. Bickerion, The Hawthorns, Mickleover, near Derby. CRIGGION. Fig. 10. The Breiddin Hill fortifications (No. 149) : plan ..... 29 From the Ordnance Survey 2f).in. map. FORDEN. Fig. 11. The Gaer (No. 174) : plan ---..... 35 From the Ordnance Survey 25-ui. map. GUILSFIELD. Fig. 12. Gaer Pawr (No. 214) : plan ..--.--- 43 From the Ordnance Survey 2b-in. map. Fig. 13. Bronze boar (No. 234) : plate --.-... 46 From, Montgomeryshire Collections (1870), iii, 451. KERRY. Fig. 14. Stone Circle (No. 282) : plan ....... 55 Fig. 15. The " Double Dyche " (No. 293) ....... 59 From Montgomeryshire Collections (1889), xxiii, 90. Fig. 16. The Parish Church (No. 295) : plate, (a) exterior - . ... 60 Fig. 17. „ „ „ ,, (b) interior, showing Norman arcade| - 60 Photographs by W. Marriott Bodson, Bettws y Coed. LEIGHTON. Fig. 18. Caer Digoll (No. 302) : plate, showing ditch and bank . - - .61 Photograph by W. M. Bodson, Bettws y Coed. Fig. 19. Caer Digoll (No. 302) : plan ....... 61 From the Ordnance Survey 2b-in map. LLANBRTNIVIAIR. Fig. 20. Circles and cairn (Nos. 308-10) : plan ...... 64 Surveyed and drawn by Lieut-Col. W. LI. Morgan, R.E., a Commistioner. LLANDINAM. Fig. 21, The Moat, Moat Lane (No. 336) : plan ...... 69 From Montgomeryshire Collections (1877), x, 344. Fig. 22. The Moat, Moat Lane (No. 336) : plate, (a) showing entrance to inner bailey . 70 " Fig. 23. „ ,, „ „ (6) showing slope of mound - - 70 Photographs by Professor B. C. Boianquet, F.S.A., a Commissioner. LLANDRINIO. Fig. 24. The Parish Church (No. 364) : plate, (a) exterior, showing Norman arch - - 74 Fig. 25. „ „ „ „ (6) font 74 From the Worthington Smith drawings in the Shrewsbury Public Museum. Photographs by R. L. Bartlett, Shreicsiury. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS— fon» Llansantffraid Pool - Parish Church - - - Independent Chapel Cae Gaer Rhyd yr Onen Earthwork Church of Pennant Melan- geU Mathrafal . - - Parish Church - - - » )) " " " Old Market Hall - Pen y Clun Camp - Parish Church - - - Aberbechan Dykes - Rhos y beddau Circle Craig Rhiwarth Hut Circles, j and ancient wall Plas yn Dinas Sepulchral slabs in vestry. Roman. Mound-and-bailey. Screen. Nave arcade from Cwmhir Abbey. Church of Nunnery of Llanllugan, and old glass. Associated with Owen ap Thomas (Froissart's Owen de Galles). 692 Llanwddyn . - - Quakers' Burial Ground - 707 Llanwnog _ _ . Caersws - - - - Roman station. 710 J) - - - Park House - - - Tudor interior. 711 769 >» - - - Meifod - - - - Parish Church Quakero' Chapel, Dolobran Screen, and figure of St. Gwynnog in 15th-century glass. 770 J) - - - - Parish Church - - - Norman details. 796 Middletown - - - CeftiCastell - Outlying defence to Breiddin. 802 Montgomery - - - Ffridd Camp - - - 803 )) - - - Hen Domen - . - Mound-and-bailey. 805 )j - - _ Medieval Castle 806 »> " Lymore - - - - Half-timbered house. 807 »j " ~ Parish Church- Screen, stallwork, tombs, font. 823 Newtown >» j> " " " Portions of ancient screen. 835 Penegoes - . _ Tumuli, Bryn y fedwen - 873 Trefeglwys - - . Tumuli - - - - 881 908 )) - - - Trelystan _ - - Quakers' Burial Ground, Staylittle Parish Church Wooden structure. 922 929 932 Uwch y garreg Welshpool ... - - - 1 Quakers' Burial Ground, Dolcaradog Crowther's Camp Powis Castle - Adjacent to site of discovery oi bronze implements. NVENTORY OF THE ANCIENT AND HISTORICAL MONUMENTS AND CONSTRUCTIONS OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. INTRODUCTION. ALMOST every class of objects and type of constructions with which the student of Welsh antiquities becomes acquainted is represented within the county of Montgomery, though in their relative importance the various classes differ widely one from another, and some types are singularly deficient in characteristic examples. The study of Montgomeryshire antiquities is fraught with considerable difficulty owing to the almost entire absence of any record of what has been already done in the way of practical archaeological exploration. Since the year 1867 the county has possessed a society — The Powysland Club — devoted to historical and antiquarian research within the borders of ancient Powys; but admirably as that society has fulfilled its purposes by the production of its excellent series of parochial histories, it has done practically nothing in the sphere of archaeology beyond the more or less incomplete enumeration of the local antiquarian remains, and of the finds which have from time to time been made. An excellent article in Vol. Ill (1870) of Montgomeryshire Collections— t\iQ club's publication — by the Rev. E. L. Barnwell, F.S.A., and a two-paged note by Prof. Boyd Dawkins and the late General Pitt Rivers on " Offa's Dyke " in Vol. XVI (1883), are the chief contributions of special value to antiquarian students. The only attempt to record the exploration of certain of the mounds of the county with any approach to scientific precision will be mentioned later. Under these circumstances, and without enlightenment from the use of the spade and the level, implements which this Commission has no power to requisition, the deductions which have been drawn from the study of the ancient and historical monuments and constructions of the county must necessarily be confined to those based upon the personal inspections of the officers of the Commission, and such comparative study as we have been enabled to give to the reports contained in the present volume. The brief introductory remarks which follow have been arranged under certain titles, the limitations of which are recognised and allowed for by antiquaries. The PAL.^iOLITHIC Period. — So far as is at present known, no trace of palaeo- lithic man has been discovered within the limits of the county.* The geological structure of the district did not lead to the formation of caves or fissures in which early man might have left his bones and his implements, nor was he drawn hither by the presence of flint which would have resulted in the establishment of rude trade centres and routes. * A pronouncement by one of the ablest livinar prehistoric arehfeoloeists, Mr. Worthinsfton G. Smith, 11111)11 the subject sliiulrl ho iiotlccH. In an article in Arclnrnlogiti Cmnhrfnsix for 1895 (Ser. V, vol. xiii, p. 94). on "A Human Frontal Bone fi-oni Strata Florida (Cardigan.shire)," Jlr. Worthinarton Smith has figured a flint Hake found in the surface material dui-ins: excavations at Strata Mareclla Abbey near Welshpool, and now in the Welshpool Museum, which appears to him to be "undoubtedly palajolitliie." ilr. Smith further considers the Strata Floiida frontal bone to belong " to the same class as the Neandeithal and Spy fossils." Strata Florida is only a few miles from the western border of Montgomeryshire, so that whatever conclusions are based upon the East Cardiganshire di.scovery would have equal bearing upon the antliro])ology of West Montgomeryshire. Mr. Smith does not indeed claim "any great antiquity" for the Strata Florida skull, though, as he does not consider it to be pathological, the conclusion in favour of its pala-olithic charactei — assuming the correctn&ss of his observations — would appear to be inevitable. At any rate the Strata ^larcella flint, though unquestionablj- early, is insufficient in itself to bring the county within the palaeolithic area. XIV ROYAI. (OMMISSIOX ON AXCIK.NT MOXVMKSTS IX WALES AXD MONMOUTHSHIRE: The Neolithic Period. — The presence of man in Montgomeryshire becomes apparent in the period known as that of the New Stone Age, thongh the traces of his aLtivity are so taint as to render speciUatioii upon tlie time of liis appearance within the period hazardous and unconvincing. English archaeologists usually associate the long-skulled man with the Neolithic age, and look upon him as belonging ethnologically to a pre-Ccltic non-Aryan race. The typical Neolithic l)urial mounds are considered to be long or oval, as distinguished from round; the implements of peace and of war were of stone, or of more perishable material : they wore, at any rate, not of metal. Now, the facts disclosed by the study of the earliest remains in Montgomery- shire confront us with difficulties. Stone implements have been discovered with sulHcicnt frequency to all'ord us ground for considering that the people inhabiting the area of the modern county who used them did so within the Neolithic epoch, though it may he only when that period was passing into a different period, iiut (with the exception to be noted presently) while round barrows arc numerous, we do not find a single unmistakable long barrow. Many of the mounds have been opened, but we have again to deplore tluit in no single case has the exploration been conducted, or the account been recorded, with sufficient care and precision to admit of useful and accurate deductions.* The round barrows of Montgomeryshire are most often found placed on the summits or higher slopes of the rolling grass-grown hills. The long line of Kerry Hill is strewn with earthen barrows, and the slopes of the Plynlymon uplands are dotted with stone cairns. Many of these mounds are on the boundaries of parishes, and have doubtless been utilised in all ages for the purposes of delimitation. The very fact that they tend to become features in a boundary line, makes it important to note that some may have been constructed for that purpose, when the limits of parishes were carefully set out. A few of the mounds, of which that in tiic parish of Aberhafesp (No. 1) may be taken as an example, are of such unusual size that they might well be regarded as intended rather for defensive than for burial uses, but the information received of the presence of bones and objects that appear to partake of the nature of grave furniture in the mound just mentioned seems to place its sepulchral character beyond doubt. We have said that tliere is in the county one exception to the otherwise uni- versal type of circular sepulchral mound. This is a group of mounds in the parish of Llanfihangel yng Ngwynfa (No. 463). The mounds are at least eleven in number; several of them lie in close contiguity. In size they average a length of forty feet, with a breadth of about hfteen feet, and a maximum height of three feet. They are of an altogether different character from the long mound of established neolithic construction, and are, in fact, very similar in external appearance to the earthen heaps constructed for potato beds in many parts of Wales. So far as could be learnt, not one of the Montgomeryshire examples has been the subject of investiga- tion, and without the direct testimony obtainable from exploration they would probably be considered as having no connection with archaeological remains. Never- theless, there are one or two points which render the problem by no means so easy of solution, though we have to go outside the county for our evidence. In the course of the Commissioners' visit to the county of Radnor, which occurred at a date prior to that upon which the Montgomeryshire mounds were inspected for the Commission, their attention was directed to a number of mounds of somewhat similar dimensions to those given above which are scattered over the hill-side above the river Wye in the parish of Llanelwedd. A few years previously one of them was opened transver.sely, disclosing a trough-like cavity which was believed to run through the mound from end to end. The bottom layer of stones forming the cavity was said to have been covered with a dark greasy deposit which on being subjected to microscopic examination was found to contain minute pieces of bone.t A strong local tradition speaks of them as graves, and with this must be * Perbap.'! the least unsatisfactory acconnt of the opening of any of the Montgomeryshire burial mounds is that given of the excavations conducted into one of the Staylittle group of tnmuli CSo. 87.31) in July, 1903 (Arch. Camh.. 1904, Ser. VI, vol. iv. p. 285). The diagrams furnished with that acconnt show the tumulus to have been circular, the burial to have been b}' cremation, and the urn which was di.sinterred to have been of the cinerary type. + A record of the excavation and microscopical examination was forwarded to the then editor of Archaologia Camhrensin (Mr. J. Romilly Allen, F.S.A., since deceased), but was never printed, and the account was not found among that gentleman's papers after his death. INTRODUCTION. XV coupled the fact that the Montgomeryshire mounds are known as " Beddau'r Cewri " (by an extraordinary blunder made on the Ordnance sheet into " Beddau'r Tewrt "), " the Graves of the Giants," or " Warriors." All this is fairly conclusive evidence of their sepulchral origin. But, on the other hand, there is at Llanelwedd a counter tradition that the mounds are earthen shelters intended to provide cover for rabbits, which were introduced upon many Welsh estates about the commencement of the 19th century. This lame and impotent conclusion has much to recommend it in view of the altogether unusual construction and lack of definite plan or arrangement of the mounds, but it fails to account for the total absence of all signs of use or occupation by the animals mentioned. The Cromlech (outside Wales, known as a ' dolmen ') as a form of sepulchre erected over the dead, is usually associated with the pre- Aryan inhabitants of Britain who are thought by some scholars to have marked their westward progress by a chain of these structures. Now, there are no cromlechs within the bounds of modern Montgomeryshire, with the exception of a doubtful example in the parish of Llanerfyl (No. 400). Are we, therefore, to assume that a cromlech-raising people did not inhabit this area, or that the race or races which reached this district had already passed out of the cromlech-raising stage ? So few, indeed, are the objects which can be confidently regarded as marking the presence of neolithic man that we might be tempted to doubt his existence in the district. But this would probably be an error, for the discoveries of flint implements of late type in the adjacent district of Clun — geographically one with the southern districts of Montgomeryshire {Trans. Shrofshire Arch, and Nat. Hist. Soc, 1887-8, xi, 211), and the exhumation of dolichocephalic skulls in the not very distant caves of Denbighshire and Flintshire (Boyd Dawkins, Cave Hunting, and Arch. Camh., 1902, VI, ii, 177), prove that the district was not entirely avoided by neolithic man. It is, however, equally certain that he must have been thinly scattered over the county, though the widely spread uplands would appear to offer him eminently favourable resorts. Stone implements have been found in every part of the county, but the forms are of the latest periods, and may very well be survivals into the Bronze Age. (See the example illustrated on p. 164). The Bronze Age. — The use of bronze is usually associated with the appear- ance in these islands of a fresh race, and this race is equated with the earlier division of the Celtic family to which the name of Goidel has been given. The general accuracy of the Iwpothesis being assumed, and the westerly situation of the district being borne in mind, it is probable that the first Goidelic arrivals did not reach the tract of country that is now ^lontgomervshire until they had been long on the journey across Britain, and their civilization had attained to a comparatively high level. The normal method of disposing of the dead during the Bronze Age was by cremation, the burnt remains being sometimes placed in an earthenware urn, ar.d sometimes collected in a heap within the sepulchral mound, and it would appear that both methods were practised in this district, but the accounts are not sufliciently full or explicit to enable us to determine the relative popularity of the two methods. Of the cinerary urns that have been discovered within the limits of the county only two have been preserved and illustrated, the cinerary urn already mentioned as unearthed at Staylittle (No. 8731), and the very fine example of a small vessel of the drinking cup type discovered at Aberbechan in the parish of Llanllwchaiarn. (Xo. 617.) Equally meagre are the accounts of the objects accompanying the burnt bodies, usually called ' grave furniture ' ; and it must be regretfully admitted that Mont- gomeryshire throws but little additional light upon Bronze Age interments. Circles. — There are four examples of these structures within the bounds of the modern county : that on Kerry Hill (No. 282), in the neighbourhood of many tumuli ; a couple on the high ground above Llanbrynmair (Nos. 308-9)* ; the fourth * There is a third circle at Llanbrynmair (No. 310), but it almost certainly consists of the outer rin? of larore stones of a de.stroyed cairn, and is not a true circle. c2 XVI HOVAL COMMISSION OS ANCIENT MONVMESTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: terminating the stone avenue of Rhos y beddaii in the parish of Llanrhaiadr ym !Mochnant (Xo. 631). This latter is a most interesting monument, and one that has been insufhciently studied. A tew t'ragiiients of what was once a stone circle are pointed out in the detached part of Churchstoke parish upon the borders of Wales and England (Xo. 116), not more than 500 yards di.stant from the fine and complete English circle known as Mitchells Eold. Meini Hirion. — Of standing stones the county possesses a few in its south- western area. The two examples in the parish of Darowen (Xos. 158-9) appear to illustrate the Christianising of pagan memorials; that is, if we accept the tradition that the stones marked the limits of certain rights supposed to have been attached to the parish church. The Maen Beuno in Berriew (Xo. 13) is another instance of the same process. The boulders known as the ' Covenant stones of 'Owen (llyndwr ' in the parish of Uwch y Garreg (No. 921) probably bear witness to some pact between the great Welsh leader and his followers which history has not recorded. Earthworks. — The earthen camps, of which there are so many, also point to the conclusion that the civilization of the people of early Montgomeryshire belonged for the most part to the Bronze Age, though the criteria that would enable us to assign the different types of camps to their order of development, and to settle their place within the period to which we allot them, are by no means so definite or so varied as we could wish them to be. It is indeed in connection with those defensive structures which were most probably constructed in pre-historic times, that the greatest difficulties are encountered. They vary from the single small bank of earth, with an entrance con- sisting only of a break in the bank, to elaborate structures defended by stone or earthen banks and deep ditches, planned with great care so as to derive support each from the other, and provided with entrances that display both tactical ingenuity and constructive skill. We have said that the various classes of Montgomeryshire pre- historic remains point to the domination of a bronze-using people, and the study of the early defensive structures of the county appears to favour that conclusion. It is probably a safe deduction to regard the camps of perfectly simple detail as being earlier in date than the large works which are frequently found; but this hypothesis requires careful qualification. Man's need of places of shelter or defenc3 in every period may arise so unexpectedly, and his opportunities be so limited, that the utmost efforts of a skilled body of modern engineers may result in nothing more than a bank of earth and a ditch which several centuries of neglect will make undis- tinguishable from the efforts of their prehistoric predecessors. But, however easily we might be led into error in the classification of the simple examples, it will probably not be wrong to consider the great and complicated constructions which must have called for the resources of a numerous, powerful and organised people as the latest development of the pre-historic defensive structure. There are in Mont- gomeryshire five or six examples of what we may term pre-historic fortresses of the first order, and there are within the same geographical area, though beyond the limits of the administrative county, several others of the same class. The Ffridd in Montgomery parish, the Gaer in Guilsfield, The Breiddin in Criggion, Cefn Castell in Middletown, Cefn Carnedd in Llandinam and Pen y Clun in Trefeglwys, though differing in detail, were clearly constructed by the same people and probably within the same fairly wide period of time. In not one of these camps have excava- tions been conducted, so that much is uncertain in connection with them; and it is far too early in the work of the Commission to dogmatise upon the period of the construction of these great earthworks. The examples in Montgomeryshire are matched though not excelled by others in various parts of the Principality, and until all these have been examined and at least one of them has been carefully explored, it is desirable that the problems to which they give rise should be approached with a perfectly open mind. The Iron Age. — It is probable that the period of time distinguished by the general use of iron was, for Montgomeryshire, comparatively brief. English anti- quaries are inclined to associate its adoption in this country with the appearance of the second great division of the Celtic race called the Brythonic. At the earliest point of time for which we may consider the geography of Ptolemy to become of prime INTBODVCTION. XVU authority — perhaps the first century of our era — the area now known as Mont- gomeryshire, with certain ground in counties surrounding it on every side, was occupied by the Ordovices who " there are reasons to think .... formed the van- guard of the Brythonic invasion " of the west. {Celtic Britain, 3rd ed. 87.) Now, if iron came into use with the Brythons, and if the Brythons entered this island from Gaul, it must have required a considerable passage of time, probably to be measured by centuries, before they could have occupied the central part of the principality of Wales, and extended themselves from beyond its present eastern boundaries to the western sea. The iron age of Montgomeryshire, therefore, if its duration be regarded as closed with the foundation of Viroconium, could not have been long extended; and the archaeological remains which we may with probability assign to the latest pre-historic date may retain as much of the Bronze Age as of its successor. If also we consider the perishable nature of iron, it is not surprising that it has left hardly any evidence of its existence in this county. Two objects have survived to which we may apply the term Late Celtic, as marking their place in the develop- ment of culture rather than as affording a date for their construction. The first is the interesting Bronze Boar (No. 234) found in the demesne lands of Varchoel township of Guilsfield parish,* an illustration of which is given opposite p. 46. The second is the bronze horse-bit found in the parish of Carreghofa (No. 71) of which an illustration is given opposite p. 15. The latter objects are by no means uncommon, and are frequently elaborately chased and ornamented. The plainness of the present example may point to its early date within the iron age, or may denote a backward state of artistic craftsmanship in its makers. The Roman Period. — Written history commences for Montgomeryshire, as for almost the whole of the island of Britain, with the appearance and activities of the Romans. Whether the defeat of the British chief Caratacos took place in this district is an opinion upon which scholars may legitimate!)^ differ; inasmuch as positive proof is not forthcoming. But it must have taken place somewhere along the border line between England and Wales, and it can at least be confidently asserted that the Montgomeryshire site of the Breiddin presents the largest number of correspondences with the description of the locality of the battle given by the Roman historian. Be this as it may, the already demonstrated fact of the early establish- ment of a Roman military post at Caersws in the valley of the Severn (No. 707) has been abundantly verified by the explorations of the Liverpool Society for the excava- tion of historic sites in Wales. A small military station also existed in the district afterwards called Thornbury by its Mercian conquerors, and on the site known to us as ' The Gaer ' or Caer Flos.'t The stock of our knowledge of the Roman domina- tion of the district is increased by the addition to the list of the minor Roman military posts of Cae Gaer (No. 535) in the wild country at the head of the Wye, and the Gaer near Llanfair (No. 419) where the discovery over half a century ago of a piece of hypocaust tile and fragments of pottery would seem to prove the presence of a small Roman force. No great light has been thrown upon the actual direction of the roads which must have linked these small posts to similar posts elsewhere, but it may be hoped that the advance which has been made in the general knowledge of tlie Roman occu- pation of the district will be succeeded by a systematic tracing out of the intervening lines of communication. The Commissioners' survey adds but little to our knowledge of the conditions under which the natives lived during the centuries of Roman sway in Britain. The fact that coins have been discovered, on one occasion in large numbers (No. 445), denotes a settled and prosperous community, but the purely archceological remains have contributed little to our knowledge of the material conditions of life. The long stretch of time between the departure of the Romans and the appear- ance of the Normans is not illumined by a single example to which we can positively point. The earlier camps must have sufficed for the rough warfare of tribe against tribe and Briton against Saxon, and as a Welsh coinage did not exist, we are * See the important extract from an unpublished letter of the Rev. Walter PuTies (" Gwalltei* Mechain"), now in the National Library of Wales, furnished to this Commission by Mr. George Eyre Evans of Aberystwyth. t There seems to be no authority for Flos as a place-name, but it is a convenient addition to the numerous ' Gaers,' and permits of the easy identification of the one so denominated. XVIU KDVAL COMMISSION OX AXCIEXT MOXIMKXTS IX WALES AND MOXUOCTUSUIRE : deprived of the one source which in sliilled scientific hands has been found so fruitful elsewhere.* DvKES AND Ditcuks. — One of the most puzzling divisions of Montgomeryshire antiquities is that which comprises its great ilykcs and ditches. In various parts of the county are stretches of earthen banks, each bank (locally called a ' dvche ') with its corresponding ditch. The best known example is OtYas Dyke which passes through the eastern portions of the county, sometimes forming the line of the boundary with England, and sometimes linding itself altogether in England. It has frecjuently been dealt with by antiquarian writers, but often from too local a point of view. It is intended to treat it at a later period as a whole, when it may be hoped that its purpose and its period will become more certain than they are at present. The other dykes of Montgomeryshire bear a general resemblance to the great dyke of Oft'a, hut it cannot be said that their study has done much to unravel the mystery of their construction. It is one of the losses of archaeology that many generations of men have passed away since their construction to whom these dykes must have been common and well-under.-^tood objects, without a voice of explana- tion breaking the silence of the ages. With reference to one of those described in this volume (No. S96) it can indeed be said that a faint whisper of its existence is heard in the pui)lic records. The important Welsh monastery of Strata Florida, in Cardiganshire, held property in the parish of Elanwnog, which on the dissolution of the house passed into private possession. A dispute ensued between neighbouring landholders in reference to the boundaries, and this resulted in judicial pro- ceedings in the year 1638. An incomplete record of the cause is given in Mont. Coll., 1876, ix, 312, and from this source we learn that the property in question was meared by a ditcli called ' The Abbot's Ditch.' The precise position of the ditch is not specified, and no clear indications of a dvke or a ditch were visible to a careful inspection. However, upon reference to Mr. W. Scott Owen of Cefngwifed, the chief agent of Lord Joicey, the present owner of the farm of Celynog. that gentleman caused search to be made amongst the early estate maps, and happily upon one of the end of the 18th century ' the Abbot's Ditch ' was found marked. The direction was plotted on tlie modern Ordnance map, and a second visit was made to the farm, with the result that traces of the ditch could be picked up and followed, though in places it was completely obliterated. In this instance, whatever may have been the period of its construction, it was evident that the work had not been constructed primarily for defence, and it may be inferred that other dykes and ditches described in this volume were intended to serve equally peaceful purposes. On the other hand, the interesting double dyke and ditch at Aberbechan (No. 61) is difficult of explana- tion upon any other than a defensive hypothesis. The Modern Period. — The coming of the Normans into England was speedily followed by their interference in the affairs of Wales, and it will probably be found that no period of Welsh history receives so much elucidation from the present survey as that which is concerned with the .settlement of the Xorman barons. Much of the modern life of Powysland — the life of landlord and tenant — commences with the advent of the Norman, and although the organisation of Welsh society was based on the very different principles of tribalism, the immense advan- tage of strong centres of local administration must have soon impressed the Welsh princes. Whether the type of stronghold known as the mound-and-bailey castle, which consisted of a wooden structure placed upon a mound of earth, surrounded by a deep moat, and placed at one end of an enclosure which was also defended by a ditch : w'hether this type of structure was developed by the English or by the Normans need not concern the Welsh antiquary; certain is it that it was not adopted by the Welsh until after the Normans had established a number of such structures. Prior to the present survey the literature of the subject, as confined to Mont- gomeryshire, practically consisted of an article by the late Mr. G. T. Clark on the " Moated Mounds of the Upper Severn " (Mont: Coll., 1878, x, 329-345) in which only six or seven of these structures in Montgomeryshire are described or mentioned, t * The ascription of a coin to Hywel ap Cadell, ' Hywel dda,' A.D. 918-948 CMr. P. W. P. Cailvon- Britton in the Transactionx of the Hon. Society of Cym'mrodorion, Session 1905-6, pp. l-W), even if it be unreservedly accepted, only accentnates the general bareness of this field of knowjedgfp. t An article in the Journal Brit. Arch. A.i>:oc., 1906, n.s. XII, 231. by Dr. Davies Piyce, written in criticism of the generally accepted Norman origin of these moated mounds. mtntioiiS several other Montgomeryshire examples. INTEODUCTION. Xl£ The map prepared for this volume shows 24 undoubted examples to exist in the county, and there are traces of a few more which have so far lost their main features as to have become of doubtful classification. Many of them had been previously known and figured, but their proper significance had not been recognised. Some of these mound castles are of great interest as constructions of Welsh princes, and the mound of Tafohvern (No. 311) — by no means one of the best examples of the type — is especially interesting in that from it was issued the foundation charter of the Abbey of Valle Crucis in the year 1185. The mound of Mathrafal (No. 583), the seat of the most powerful line of Powysian chieftains, also probably dates from about that period. Tafohvern is the westernmost of these mound-and-bailey castles, and probably marks the limits of Norman influence in mound-building in this direction; the examples still further to the west were probably derived from the Norman settlements on the western seaboard. The fine mound on Rhyd yr Onen in the parish of Llangurig (No. 536) is doubtless the work of Earl Hugh of Chester, and was established for the purpose of securing the territory of Arwystli which Domesday shows us he had contrived to obtain at the date of that survey. The position of some of the mounds which are almost certainly the construction of Norman barons, and intended to be as much the heads of estates as simple defensive structures, is noticeable, placed as they are at the extreme end of the parish (or township) in which they are situated. The fine mound at Bishop's Moat (No. 101) in the parish of Castlewright, and the Gro Tump (No. 817) in the parish of New- town, are specially worthy of attention. It may be remarked here that the name by which these structures are usually rendered upon the Ordnance maps, or in the ordinary business of life, namely " Moat," is almost certainly a mis-spelling for "Mote." The fact that every mote possessed a moat, which latter was a most evident and important part of the entire construction, would inevitably produce confusion between the terms, but the form ' ^loat ' is in use where the moat has long disappeared, and only the ' Mote ' survives. The practical result is this, that in Montgomeryshire at any rate, w^henever a ' ]\Ioat ' is shown upon the map it is not certain whether the feature represented by that spelling will be found to exist ; but a mound should always be looked for. The governing chieftains of Powys were clearly more amenable to Norman influences than those of the other divisions of Wales, and the study of the mound castles corroborates the conclusions of history. Stone Castles. — The county possessed no military structure of the first order dating from the medieval period, to vie with the great Edwardian fortresses of Rhuddlan, Conway, Carnarvon or Harlech. Powis Castle has retained some fea- tures of its 13th century construction. Montgomery and Dolforwyn Castles have almost entirely disappeared, though a happy discovery amongst the public records shows the latter to have been inhabited so recently as the commencement of the 17th century. •EccLESi.\STiCAL EDIFICES. — The parish churches of the county have, without a single exception, been more or less restored, some several times, within the last half century. In too many cases the restoration consisted of the total demolition of the earlier edifice, and the erection of a new church, sometimes on a difi'erent site, as at Llandyssil (No. 388). In the greater number of cases the new building is placed on the old foundations, but the architectural features have given way to others that were deemed of better taste. The church of Llanidloes, architecturally one of the finest structures in the county, is doubly interesting from the almost certain fact that its fine arcade and roof are those of the dissolved Abbey of Cwm Hir in Radnorshire. Montgomery possesses the only church constructed upon the scale of nave, chancel and transepts. The Norman work in Kerry assumes importance because its date is fixed by the lively account of Giraldus Cambrensis of the conse- cration of the church in the year 1176. Almost every church nuist have possessed a fine oak screen, of which that at Llanwnog is the best surviving example. Of monastic establishments which were suppressed at the Dissolution the county contained but two. One was the small Cistercian house of Strata Marcella, near Welshpool, whose inmates not merely shared the common fate of dissolu- tion in the year 1529, but whose buildings practically disappeared oft" the face of the earth. It is one of the actions which stand to the credit of the Powysland Club that by its exertions the site of the monastic church has been carefully excavated, ROYAL COMMISSIOX OX ASCIE.N T MOXXMKXTS IX WALES AXU MOXMOUTHSHIRE : and its ground plan recovered. The other conventual house was the establishment of the \uns of St. Mary of Llanllugan, the only house of female religious in North Wales, and celebrated in the verse of Dafydd ab (iwilym. The churches are for the most part destitute of medieval sepulchral eHigies, the churches of Montgomery, Llanfair Caereinion and Pennant Melangcll containing the only examples. The beautiful floriated slabs in the church of Llanfihangel vug Ngwynfa are worthy of the notice of ecclesiastical anticiuaries; and one of the slabs bears an inscription (unfortunately incomplete) that is of considerable importance to local genealogists. Nonconformity has neccs.sarily few remains that come witliin the purview of this Conunission, but Montgomeryshire is especially interesting to the student of religious movements as affording numerous relics of the Quakers. What is said with reasonable probability to be the communion table of Vavasour Powell is in the little Congregational Chapel of Sarn. PiXDS. — In incorporating into the inventory of the existing monuments and constructions of the county as complete a list of the hnds that have been made w'ithin it as personal enquiries and researches into books could accomplish, the Com- missioners have taken what may be considered by some to be an unduly wide view of their instructions, and to have passed beyond the limits witliin which the Royal Commissions for England and for Scotland have thought proper to confine their operations. An iini'utory of monuments that ignores all objects of anti(juity that are not plainly visible upon the surface of the ground, is obviously of little good as an indi- cation of where fresh work may be usefully undertaken. It is ecjually obvious that the accidental and unpremeditated discovery of an object, otlicrwise of no interest or value, might provide a clue to the unearthing of a site that, when once uncovered, would naturally fall within the narrowest inventory. There is, again, the fact that in any scheme for the enumeration of monuments in which their classification is an essential feature, the careful consideration and record of all finds are necessary elements towards obtaining accuracy in such classification. The Commissioners therefore have endeavoured to make this portion of their inventory as complete as possible, and they have found it not the least troublesome part of their vs^ork. It has involved considerable research in out-of-the-way (juarters, as the notes appended to many of the entries make apparent; it has meant the persistent pursuit of clues, and has induced much correspondence, as in the case of the Roman coins of which a^full list is published for the first time on p. 87 : the most important recorded dis- covery of coins ever made in the county; and as in the case of the Roman objects dug up near sixty years since at the Gaer on Gibbet Hill (No. 419), and happily preserved to demonstrate the true character of that construction of antiquity. It has also called for the exercise of patience and perseverance in the bringing together for the first time of the pictorial representation of the complete Guilsfield (correctly Welshpool) hoard of bronze impleinents. This was accomplished in the face of considerable discouragement, and the initial refusal of the Lords of His Majesty's Treasury to permit of the illustration of any " Finds," as not being strictly " Ancient Monuments." There are, however, few branches of their labour which the Commissioners regard with more pride, and for which they can confidently hope to receive the gratitude of antiquaries, than this division of " Finds," with its illustrations. Sites. — The division which we have entitled " Sites of historic or antiquarian interest "" may, in a .sense, be regarded as the complement of that of " Finds " with which we have just dealt. The latter relates to tilings that have been found, and notes as accurately as may be, the places where they have been found. The former in a measure inventories places which may be expected — so far as the place-name is an indication — to produce " Finds " when accident or design leads to the investi- gation of the site that is inventoried. The division does, of course, much more than that. One of the most regret able features that this volume makes plain is the rapid disappearance in Montgomeryshire of the beautiful and appropriate Welsh names of ancient sites. How many times has not the inspector to record that the old name of a field is known no more ? It is useless to repine. The Commissioners have thought it their duty to record; and as the " Finds " exhibit in many instances the successes of past generations oT antiquaries, so we hope the " Sites " may prove finger posts to guide the antiquaries of the future to equally important issues. INTEODUCTION. xn. In concluding these general remarks upon the antiquities of Montgomery- shire the Commissioners are specially desirous of making it clear that the descrip- tions of the monuments here given are in no way to be regarded as embodying the final verdict upon any one of them. We hope that our list is practically if not alto- gether exhaustive, though we are conscious that we cannot expect to have effected a clean and comprehensive sweep into our net; but we have no wish to have it supposed that our labours are final. We have on the contrary, endeavoured to bear constantly in mind the desirability of arousing the interest of local antiquaries, and of stimulat- ing their energies to fresh or renewed studies of the memorials and constructions of the past. In some of the remarks we have made it might appear as though we were expressing our surprise at the little that has been effected in the study and descrip- tion of Montgomeryshire antiquaries, whereas in truth we are fully alive to the zeal and steady purpose that has accompanied the work of the Powysland Club. The defect is one that is inherent to county societies where there is no strong directing organisation, and where each contributing member takes up his plot and ploughs his lonely furrow regardless of the researches or labours of his fellow members. We venture to think that this volume, while it brings into clear perspective the immense field of delightful exercise for both brain and muscle lying at the doors of the leisured folk of Montgomeryshire, provides also the basis for the organisation and systema- tisation of the study of Montgomeryshire antiquities. Our business has been to inventory the monuments of the county. In performing this duty we have endeav- oured to give just so much information as will enable the local antiquaries interested each in his own branch of archaeology to know the objects in the county which have an attraction for him, and which call for his attention. It has been no purpose of ours to provide him with a complete account of any single monument. We have tried in each case to tell him the kind of monument he will find in each place. We may occasionally have been more dogmatic than the facts actually warrant, but that amiable and not uncommon weakness has been indulged in with the express purpose either of stimulating his curiosity or of saving him the time and trouble lost in visiting a monument that may be to him of minor interest. In no case have we essayed to tell him so much about a monument as to stifle his desire to pay it a personal visit. If we have in any measure succeeded in our purpose of exciting within his breast the determination to know more of the past of our forefathers, we venture to think that its gratification should be easy. The latitude and longitude of all the objects have been shown. The letters N. and W. (for ' north ' of tTie equator, and ' west ' of Greenwich, respectively), are omitted. In the Vlth Division, ' Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest,' all place-names that appear to possess special significance are recorded. The fields bearing such names as ' Maes y Groes ' (the field of the cross), ' Cae'r Domen ' (tumulus field), or ' Cae'r hen eglwys ' (the old church field) should be noted by their owners as possible places where the base of a cross or the lowest stratum of a long dismantled tumulus may still be concealed. All the sites can be identified by simply measuring out on the 6in. ordnance map the latitude and longitude given, the point taken being generally the centre of the enclosure — in case of a mound-and-bailey castle, the mound. The names of the townships have been added to the accounts of the different parish churches, though the township as a division of the parish possessed no eccle- siastical significance. These names are very ancient, and though thev are now usually borne only by two or three large farms, it may be taken for granted that those farms were the earliest dwellings within the parishes. They have been taken for the most part from the tithe maps, corrected and supplemented bv the Ven. Archdeacon D. R. Thomas' ' History of the Diocese of St. Asaph.' The inspection of the monuments of Montgomeryshire has been in the main done by the Secretary of the Commission, Mr. Edward Owen, F.S.A., whose know- ledge of Welsh anti{]uities is well known; he has Iteen assisted by Mr. George Eyre Evans, so far as the western portion of the county is concerned. The whole of the entries have been written or edited by Mr. Ow^en. The Commissioners have paid several visits to the county during the progress of the inspections and have them- selves inspected the most characteristic and important monuments. They desire to acknowledge the attention and courtesy with which they w^ere received by all classes, and the assistance which has always been cordially given to their Inspecting Officers. The interest evinced in their work they trust will be transferred to the monuments, and they are hopeful that the already existing Antiquarian Society of the county, or a society that may be formed for the express purpose, will engage in IXll UOVAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT HONCMENTS LN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIKE : those further researches into the arclia^ological remains of the county that the narrower functions of the Commissioners prevent them from undertaking. We desire to formally acknowledge our indebtedness to the following : — The Editor of " Montgouiery Collections'' (the journal of the Powysland Club), the Aon. Archdeacon D. R. Thomas, F.S.A., for his willing assent to our use of the following illustrations from tliat JDuriia! : Figs. 3, 4, KJ, If), 21, 42, 43. The Secretary of the Powysland Club, Mr. T. Simpson Jones, for the trouble he has taken upon several occasions to obtain for u.s photographs of some of the objects in the Welshpool Museum, of which he is honorary curator. The Editor of " Archceologia Cambrensis," the Rev. Canon Rupert H. Morris, D.D., for permission to reproduce Figs. 46, 47. The flon. Society of Cynmirodorion for the plan of the Roman camp at Caersws (Fig. 35) illustrating an article by Professor Haverfield in the Society's Transactions for 190S-9. Mr. W. 11. Bickerton, of Mickleover, near Derby, who kindly furnished us with the photograph of Figs. 8 and 9. We desire to thank tlie Shrewsbury Public Library Committee (Mr. H. T. Beddows, chief librarian and curator), and the Ludlow Natural History Society (the Rev. W. D. la Touche, Hon. Secretary) together with Mr. J. H. Williams, Town Clerk of Ludlow, for the trouble they respectively took in obtaining for us photographs of those articles, parts of what are known as the Guilsfield find of bronze implements (Figs. 56 and 57), which have enabled us to bring together illustratively all the scattered objects of that celebrated discovery — the mo.st important of its kind ever made on Welsh ground — that are known to have been saved. The Shrewsbury Public Library and Museum is the fortunate possessor of six volumes of antiquarian drawings and sketches by the veteran archai^ologist, Mr, Worthington G. Smith. Several of those devoted to Montgomervshire monuments have been photographed for the Commission, and are Figs. L 2, 24, 25, 40. Mr. (i. H. Eldred, of Shrewsbury, was so good as to offer to copy such of the Worthington Smith drawings as the Commission desired to reproduce, but we felt it impossible to take further advantage of such a generous offer than to accept the beautiful reproduction in sepia of Montgomery Castle which appropriately furnishes the frontispiece to our volume. The Earl of Powis w^as so good as to furnish us with the plans of Powis Castle (fig. 53) and the camp called " the fairy mount " (fig. 52). To Afr. David Davies, M.P. for the cnunty, we are indebted for the photo- graphs (reproduced opposite p. 145) of the old house at Machynlleth associated with the name of Owain Clyndwr. which Mr. Davies is with great munificence and public spirit converting into an institute. To all those in the county whose assistance has been so generously given to our inspectors in their visits to the monuments, and to those who have been so good as to read over the rough proofs of the inventories and to furnish us with their corrections, we offer our sincere thanks. We hope they will find that the entries have benefited by their additions and emendations. It is possible that the volume will be so favourably received as to necessitate the preparation of a second edition, and in hopes of such a consummation we shall be glad to receive any further com- munications that will tend to render it more perfect and more complete. JOHN RHYS. Chairvian. E. VINCENT EVANS. EDWARD ANWYL. R. C. BOSANQUET. ROBERT HUGHES. G. HARTWELL JONES W. E. LLEWELLYN MORGAN. EDWARD OWEN, Secretary. Royal Commission on Ancient Monuments in "Wales and Monmouthshire. Parisli of ABERHAFESP. Division la (Tumuli). 1. Tumulus (6 in. Orel. Sun^ sheet, Mont. 36 S.W. ; lat. 52^31' 7", long. 3° 21' 58"). Owner, Mr. E. B. Proctor, Brynderw, Aberdovey; occupier, Mr. John Williams, Red House Farm, Aberhafesp. A mound, probably sepulchral, about 300 yards south of the parish church, and within 200 yards of the river Severn. It measures 18 feet in height taken perpendicularly, and about 130 yards in circumference. The summit shows signs of having been disturbed, and there are faint indications of a shallow depression round its base.*— Visited, 14th July, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 2. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 36 S.W.). Dedicated to St. Gwynnog. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural- deanery of Cedewen; townships, Upper and Lower. Has been so thoroughly restored as to have preserved few of its original features. It now " consists of the original nave, of which the south wall was cased externally, and to which a chancel, western tower, buttressed and battlemented, south porch and north vestry, were added in 1857" (Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 507). Further alterations were made in 1866, and again in 1877. The roof, of the loth century, is the open church roof with cusped panels, typical of the county. The east window, originally a plain lancet, was filled with stained glass, representing the patron saint, and bore the inscription : ' Sanctus Guinocus cujus anime propicietur Deus.' A new window has replaced the old, and some remains of the original glass have been inserted into one of the lights on the north side. A good example of the roval arms is fijced to the north wall. The bier is dated 1759.— Visited 6th September, 1909. An inventory of the registers, plate, and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Dec. 1906, xxxiv, 237. For the unrestored church, see Sir Stephen Glynne's ' Notes,' Arch. Camh., 1884, V, i, 90. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 3. Roman Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 N.E.). A line of nearly a mile in length, drawn from Nant yr Ych northward to a field upon Llwydcoed Farm, where it dies away, is shown upon the Ord. Survey map as the course of a Roman road. It is the continuation of a road said to have been at one time distinctly traceable from the Roman station of Caersws (parish of Llanwnog), running a N.N.W. course through that parish, passing a few yards to the west of the camp of Gwyn fynydd, entering the parish of Aberhafesp at Nant yr Ych, and leaving it for the parish of Tregynon a few yards to the west of Tyn y graig Farm.t There are no present mdications of the road in the parish of Aberhafesp, nor is support to the belief obtained from place names along the above route. • Information lias since been I'eceived from Mr. Proctor that as a boy, about fifty-five years ago, he remembers his grandfather digging into the mound from the summit. Human bones and a few bronze implements were di.scovered, but the loi-ation of the finds is not now known. In Arch. Camh., 1856. Ill, ii, 89, it is .stated that the then rector of the parish " had proved this to be a natural formation." It is, however, most improbable that the mound is of anything but artificial formation throughout. t For indication.s of its coui'se through Tregynjn parish, see Mont. Coll., 1897, xxi. 65. A ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONCMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE : Parish of ABERHAFESP. 4. Bryn y Groes (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Alont. 36 S.W.). About a mile-and-a-half N.N.W. of the parish church is a farm so called, but there is no present evidence of the wayside cross from which the name was derived. 5. Cae Cam (O in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 3G S.W. : lat. oS*^ 32' 26", long. 3° 23' 10"). A field upon the farm of Glascoed (Tithe Schedule, No. 121). There are no present remains of a cairn or tumulus. 6. Garreg Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 N.E.; lat. 52° 32' 56", long. 3° 24' 13"). A field upon the farm of New House (Tithe Schedule, No. 613). 7. Garreg Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 36 N.W.; lat. 52° 32' 51", long. 3° 21' 25"). Owner, Lord Joicey, Gregynog Hall, Tregynon; occupier, Mr. Evan Andrew. A stone upon the farm of Garreghvyd (formerly Tyn yr wtra), standing at the point of junction of tlie parishes of Aberhafesp, Tregynon and Bettws Cedewen. It boars an inscrij)tion which has been supposed to be of early date, but the letters are modern, and doubtless stand for the initials of the churcn wardens of the three parishes which ha\e been inscribed upon what is probably an ancient boundary stone, in commemoration of an otherwise unrecorded perambulation of parochial bounds. Mont. Coll., 1884, xvii, 371 (with illustration); 1891, xxiv, 317 (with illustration); and 1897, xxx. 68. 8. Maes y Garreg {Q in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 36 S.W.; lat. 52° 31' 9", long. 3° 21' 10"). Owner, Mr. E. B. Proctor, Aberdovey; occupier, Mr. E. Bowen. A field on Cefn Farm, about half-a-mile east of the parish church (Tithe Schedule, No. 509). 9. Black Well (6 in. Ord. Surv*. sheet, Mont. 36 S.W. ; lat. 52° 32' 10", long. 3° 20' 40"). Owner, Mr. E. B. Proctor. A chalybeate spring, situated 1^ miles N.W. of the parish church, much frequented in former times for its healing properties. It does not appear to have been under saintly invocation. Parish of ASTON. Division II (E.arthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 10. Camp (0 in. Ord. Sui-v. sheet, Mont. 38 S.W. ; lat. 52° 30' 57", long. 3° 3' 33"). Owner, Mr. G. Mountford, Belle vue, Churchstoke; occupier, Mr. P. Morris Matthews, Pentre, Churchstoke. A small earth camp situated about half-a-milc S. of the village of Pentre.* It occupies the summit of a hill of about 700 feet altitude, having an abrupt descent on the northern side, and conmiands an extensive prospect to the north and west over the plain of Churchstoke and Chirbur}'. It is of simple type, and much denuded. • The highway from Montgomery to Bishops Castle through Pentre is of great antiquity. In a plea of the reipn of Queen Elizabeth it is called ' Prince Llewelyn's Way,' doubtless marking the route taken by the Welsh prince to his Shropshire lands (Pub. Rec. OfBce, Chancery Proceedings, Series II, Bundle 7, No. 42.) Aston township (in Wales) and Lydhao township (in Elngland) formerly constituted the parish of Lydham ; but Aston has recently been created a civil parish by Local Government Board Order. It is one of the members of the manor of Teirtrev, the others being the townships of Castlewright and Mellington. INVENTOKY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEEY. Parish of ASTOK. The interior covers a space of about an acre, and in form is almost circular. The ground falls away to the west, and the defences upon this side have disappeared under cultivation. The camp had no interior vallum, and was surrounded by two ditches separated only by an intervening bank. These ditches were not coterminous throughout, but at the south-western angle formed one ditch, which was considerably deepened and continued around the eastern and northern faces. For the most part the only earthwork thrown up was the bank between the two ditches, but there are clear indications of an outer rampart on the exposed southern slope, with an outer ditch, and even faint traces of a third rampart. The denudation of the camp upon this side has been so considerable that measurements are impossible. The entrance was at the south-west corner, where the inner rampart appears to have been slightly incurved. — Visited, 20th August, 1909. Division VII (Finds). 11. Roman. — A pig of lead inscribed with the name of the emperor Hadrian (a.d. 117-138) was found about the year 1775 near Aston Farmhouse, and, according to a letter of the year 1827 quoted in the ArchcBological Journal, 1859, xvi, 33 (with illustration), " on the ancient line of road from Shrewsbury to Mont- gomery by Westbury." It is clear, however, from the particulars which follow that the Aston intended is in the present parish, and the farm of Aston Hall is within the Welsh border. The writer of the notice (Mr. Albert Way) continues, " I have been unable to trace where this pig is now to be found." Parish of BAUSLEY. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 11. Castle Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 N.E.; lat. 52° 43' 26", long, go Q' j^3"^ Owner, Mrs. Jebb, LlanjTnynech ; occupier, Mr. William Craig, Hill Farm, Bausley, Ford, Shrewsbury. A camp placed upon the summit of the easternmost spur of the high ground which constitutes one of the gates of the Severn valley — that on the southern bank of the river, at its entrance upon English soil — the culminating point of which is the Breiddin hill. This spur has a north-easterly trend, and commands a wide prospect over the plain of north Shropshire. On its south-western side Bausley hill is connected with that portion of the main mass know^n as Middletown hill (on which is placed the camp called Cefn Castell) by uneven ground of but slightly lower elevation. North-west from Cefn Castell is the Breiddin hill, and beyond runs the river Severn in an extremely sinuous course. The summit of the hill is tolerably even and plateau-like, giving the camp an interior area of about two acres. The defences are formed of lines of entrenchments which follow^ the more easily attackable slopes. To the north and west they consist of two trenches of an average depth of about three feet, with a third trench on tJie fairly level ground at the south-western end of the camp. The eastern side of the hill drops sharply, and does not seem to have been defended except at its northern termination. The position broadens out at the southern end of the plateau, but this face, though the most easily approached, was only protected by a dwai*f bank of eartli which joined one of the western ramparts, or it may be that the camp has suffered destruction upon this side. The strength of the defence was concentrated upon the north-eastern point of the hill. Here was the entrance, at the top of a steep slope The ditches at this point are six feet in depth, and the intervening ground on both sides is elevated into platforms:' upon the right (or eastern) side of the entrance these defences are mere mounds, as, owing to the steepness of the slope, the lines of ditches and ramparts are not continued upon this side. The inner rampart is curved inwai-ds at the entrance, and shallow depressions are formed within the loops. This camp has an appearance of hurried construction — as, indeed, has that of Cefn Castell. of which it is an outpost^ — and was probably never fullv completed - Visited, 10th August, 1909. A2 SOTAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONrMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSBIRB : Parish of BERRIEW. Division Ic (Mkim Hirion). 13. Maen Beuno (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 X.E. ; lat. 52° 36' 12", long. 3° 10' 37"). An uninscribed monolith ti feet in hei^dit (7 ft. 6 in. on the slope), standing on the south side of an ancient road called DylVryn Lane, which runs from the main road between Welshpool and Newtown to a "ford upon the Severn, from which river it is a little over half a-mile distant. The stone is traditionally associated with St. Beuno, who is said to be the patron saint of the churches of Berriew and the neighbouring parish of Bettws Cedew^en (Baring-Gould and Fisher, Lives of the British Saints, i, 218*). The accompanying illustrations represent its features and its present position. — Visited, 1st July, 1909. Illuslrrilcd. Jigura 1 (tinl 2.] Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 14. Cae Thygle or Caer Thygle (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. ',',0 N.W. ; lat. 52= 36' 32', long. 3° 14' 53''). Owner, Mr. A. E. O. Humphreys Owen, Glan Severn, Berriew; occupier, Mrs. Davies, Caer Thygle Farm. An earthen camp on the S.W. slope of Caer Thygle wootl. In shape it is an irregular oval, the longer axis running east and west, and measuring 65 feet. There are now no signs of a vallum, nor any traces that one ever existed. The ground drops directly into the ditch, the depth of which, taken perpendicularly, is from seven to eight feet ; the rise on the outward side is only from three to four feet. The outer rampart, which is formed of stones and earth, is very low, and does not show on the south side of the camp. The north-eastern slope is naturally weak, and on this side the defences are well marked. There is no clear indication of an entrance, but one was almost certainly placed at the western end, where there is a second shallow ditch but no exterior rampart. The camp enjoys a pleasing prospect of the Rhiw valley, but it could never have been constructed for a defensive post, being com- manded by higher positions all round.- -Visited, 9th August, 1909. 15. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.W. ; lat. 52° 37' 23", long. 3° 13' 35"). Owner, Mr. A. E. O. Humphreys Owen, Glan Severn, Berriew; occupier, Mr. .John Roberts. The camp is on Lower House fanii, on the road from Berriew to Castle Caereinion. It is stationed at an altitude of 700 feet, on ground that has a gentle slope towards the north and north-east, overlooking the shallow valley of Upper Trefnant and the wooded slopes of the w^estern side of Powis Castle park; but it is shut out of direct obse;-vation from the great camp of Pen y foel (parish of Castle Caereinion Uiban) by a spur of high land on the other side of the valley. It consists of an enclosure, surrounded by two low earthen banks. The enclosed area is almost circular, \vith a diameter from north to south of 90 feet. The interior bank does not rise more than from two to three feet, and on the outer side it drops into a ditch by a gradual fall of about six feet. The second bank is in places barely per- ceptible, but on the north-eastern side it is very pronounced. Like the inner bank, this second rampart falls gently into a shallow trench, though at the north-eastern corner the drop is from ten to twelve feet, dying away almost to nothing in a southerly direction. This camp could never have been intended for a defensive post, but it is admirably suited for a cattle enclosure by reason of the gentle gradients by which it is approached from almost all sides. — Visited, 1st July, 1909. * The same authorities say that Benno on the death of his father " made a foundation in the town- ship of his father Tncar tlie Severn) and set an acorn by the side of hi.s grave, that prew in time to be a miorhty oak of which one branch curved down to the f^round and then rose again, ' and there was a part of this branch in the soil, as at pre.sent." " It may be added that about two miles westward of Maen Beuno is the farm of Bryn Derwen, and that the neighbouring homestead is called Croes y Garreg Caee Division VI — Sites). The field on the other side of the road, directly opposite to the Maen Benno, ii called Maes y maen llwyd in the Tithe Schedule (No. 127). Frc. 1.— BEREIEAV: MAEN BEUNO (No. 13). Fig. 2.— BERRIEW : MAEN BEUNO (No. IS) ; Side A, showing glacial markings. INVENTOEY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEET. Parish of BERRIEW. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division D (Castle mounts, without enclosures). 16. Mound (6 in. Ord. Suiv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.W. ; lat. 52° 37' 15" , long. 3° 14' 34"). Owner, Mrs. A. C. Humphreys Owen, Glentworth, Oswestry; occupier, Mr. Maurice Bebb, the Bank Farm. A mound on the Bank Farm, about three-quarters of a mile westward of the preceding camp, No. 15; constructed upon a natural outcrop of rock, and having an average elevation of 60 feet ; now thickly planted wdth trees. The summit is an almost complete circle, with a diameter of about 150 feet. There are no traces of an encircling ditch, but upon the southern and western sides is a heavy bank of earth, which is divided from the mound by a shallow depression. These die away towards the north, where the slopes of the mound are so sharp as to make other defences unnecessary. The heavy earthen l)ank may have been continued towards the east, and have been utilised for the levelling of the ditch, for upon this side the mound is not divided by a hedge from the field w'hich abuts upon it. — Visited 1st July, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman- Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 17. The Moat (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.W. ; lat. 52° 36' 39", long. 3° 11' O'j. Owner, Mr. A. E. 0. Humphreys Owen, Glansevern; occupier, Mr. Thomas Bebl), Upper Luggy Farm, Berriew. A mound-and- bailey castle, which has at present only the faintest traces of the moat that once surrounded it, or of the enclosure that was attached to it. It is shown upon the Ordnance maps as a Tmnulus, and might very well pass for one ; but it differs from the regular type of sepulchral moimd of this county in being more abrupt in slope and less rounded in form, and there can be little doubt of its true character, though it has lost the features that are specially distinctive of the class of monuments to which it belongs. It stands on the farm of Upper Luggy, on the right bank of the tiny stream called the Luggy, a tributary of the Severn, and a few yards off the main road between Welshpool and Newtown. The mound is 45 feet in height, and when uninjured its summit had a diameter of about the same measurement. Originally the stream ran past its northern side, and was doubtless intended to serve as an additional defence. But it is quite apparent that the brook has altered its course, taking the bed of the moat for its new channel, and thus bringing it into direct contact with the mound itself. The result has Ijeen the gradual undermining of the structure, and the disappearance of a large part of its northern side. The irregularities of the summit may have been caused by the fall of trees owing to the undermining of the stream below, or by the digging of treasure seekers. The breach made by the stream discloses the construction of the mound, which consists of a uniform mass of earth, without any appearance of layers. The bailey probably lav to the enst of the mound, where are faint signs of the enclosing vallum. — - visited, 1st July, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 18. Trwst Llewelyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 S.W.; lat. 52° 34' 40", long. 3°11' 30"). Owner, Captain C. M. S. Humphrevs. Garthmyl Hall, Berriew; occupier, Mr. Richard Jones. At the northern corner of a field called Pen bryn, on the farm of Trwst Llewelyn, is a low bank of earth of not more than one or two feet in height, styled " Earthwork" upon the Ordnance map. It has no corresponding ditch, and, indeed. possesses no resemblance to a bank thrown up for defensive purposes. Its contiguity to the historic ford of the Severn called Rhyd Whimma, and the farm (and township) name, which is unquestionably ancient,* has probably led to the naturally broken ground in Pen bnn field being taken for artificial defences. — Visited. 22nd June, 1909. * Trwst Lleweljn is namecl in a Fine of the year 1592-." {Mont. Hecords, 429), and also in an Exchequer suit of the 5th Anne (Mont. Coll., 1895, xxis, 28). ROYAL COMMISSION OX AXCIENT MOXOMENTS IX WALES AXD MOXMO0THSUIRE ! Parish of BERRIEW. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 19. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.W. Ded : St. Beuno. Diocese of St. Asaph ; niral-deanery of Pool ; townships of Berriew, Allt Ucha, Allt Issa, Bryn cae ineisir, Cil,* Cil cochwyn, Faenor Ucha, Faenor Issa, Ffridd Penywern, Garthinil, Lhindinier, Llifior, Penthryn, Trwst Llewelyn. Brithdir has been formed into an independent civil parish. The present edifice is altogether new, both as regards structure and appointments. t An inventory of the registers, comnuinion plate and parish docu- ments is in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 60. In the churchyard is a huge boulder marking the junction of three townships. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiqu.\rian Interest). 20. Croes y Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 56", long. 3° 13' 31"). Owner, Mr. A. E. O. Humphreys Owen; occupier, Mr. David Jones. A field so called, on the fanu of the same name (Tithe Schedule, No. 2213). For its possible association with the early incidents in the life of St. Beuno see Divison I ante, but the ground, which is now arable, bears no trace of either cross or stone.— Visited, 22nd June, 1909. 21. Beddau Wood and Wern y beddau farm (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 S.W. ; lat. 52° 34' 18" and 52° 34' 30", long. 3° 12' 7"). Owner, Captain W. J. Corbett Winder, Glanrhiew, Berriew; occupier, Mr. Richard Clayton. No present evidences of tumuli or interments. — Visited, 22nd June, 1909. 22. Pen y Sam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.W.). Owner, Mr. A. E. O. Himiplireys Owen : occupier, Mr. John Griffiths. A farm half-a-mile west of Berriew village. 23. Lady Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.W. ; lat. 52° 35' 55", long. 3° 12' 40"). Owner, Captain W. J. Corbett Winder, Glanrhiew, Berriew. A well dedicated to Our Lady, formerly provided with a can attached to a chain; now disused and filled up, but the spring flows all the year round. 24. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 36 N.E. ; lat. 52° 33' 39", long. 3° 15' 30"). Occupier, Mr. John Andrew. The field within which stands the farmstead of the same name is so entitled in the Tithe Schedule (No. 605). There are at present no signs of an early enclosure, but it was stated that tradition existed of some form of defensive structure on the heathy ground above the present farmhouse. — Visited, 4th November, 1909. 25. Moat Field (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 S.W. ; lat. 52° 35' 9", long. 3° 13' 22"). A field on the farm of Llifior Coch, so called in the Tithe Schedule (No. 1349). There is now no trace of a moated mound or moated dwelling. — Visited, 4th November, 1909. • This name has been anerlicised as Keel, and thus appears on the modem Ordnance maps. t A former edifice, having one of the .square wooden belfries so common to Montgomeryshire churches, is fisrured in the Gentleman's Magazine for July, 1800. It was taken down in 1802, and the building which succeeded it gave place in 1874 to the present church. Some Jacobean recumbent life-sized effigies of memben of the Devereux family, removed during the reconstruction, are now in the Wel.shpool Museum (Thomas, .list. T)i,>c. St. Asaph (1874), 313). DTVENTOET OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEEY. Parish of BEBBIEW. 26. Pen y Gaer* (6 in. Ord. Sxirv. sheet, Mont. 30 S.W.; lat. 52^ 35' 15", long. 3° 14' 6"). A field on Tyn y coed farm, numbered 1700 in the Tithe Schedule. Two iron swords were found in Tyn y coed quarry " some years ago," and are now in the Welshpool Museum. 27. " On the top of Cefn yr Allt (Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.W. ; lat. 52° 36' 27", long. 3° 11' 24") are the remains of a British encampment " (Lewis, Top. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.n. ' Berriew '). There are slight traces of earthworks, but it is doubtful if they were intended for defence. — Visited, 22^d June, 1909. 28. The following account has reference to a mound of which no further informa- tion is now procurable. " During the autumn of this year (1856) the farmer in occupation of some land belonging to an estate in this neighbourhood (near Berriew, Welshpool) has ploughed into a tumulus standing on his field; and finding some upright slabs of stone standing within it, has decided on removing the tumulus altogether. He has, however, had the kindness to accede to his landlord's request that the tumulus may remain intact for a short time longer '" (Arch. Camb., 1857, III, iii, 70). The absence of all names of persons or localities (except that the mound is said to stand " on the Severn side ") is exasperating, but typical. At p. 296 of the same volume is an account of the excavation, with a plan of the mound, which is here said to have stood " in a field very near the large upright stone called Maen Beuno." The only discoveries were three large pieces of trap rock placed in an upright position, a small quantity of charcoal, and a slight trace of cinders. Division VII (Finds). 29. Stone pounder or hammer-stone ; spherical, with a diameter of 2| in. ; its surface nuich battered. Tt was found in the village of Berriew, at the foot of an oak tree, two to three feet below the surface. In the Welshpool Museum. 30. Two iron swords ; medieval; found in Tyn y coed quarry, " some years ago." In the Welshpool Museum. Parisli Of BETTWS CEDEWEN. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 31. Pen y Gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 29 S.E. and 36 N.E. ; lat. 52° 34' 10", long. 3° 16' 9"). Owner, Lord Joicey, Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, Newtown; occupier, Mr. Richard Reese. A camp, locally known as ' Y Pegwn,' ' the Beacon,' on the farm of Pen y Gaer.f On all sides cultivation has reached the knoll upon which the structure is placed, with the result that the earthen banks have been almost entirely obliterated. The enclosure is in shape a long oval, its axis running E.N.E. and W.S.W., and measuring about 500 feet, with an average breadth of 240 feet. Entrances were l)laced at both eastern and western ends, and owing to the cause aforementioned the defences are now perceptible only at those points. They consist of an internal earthen bank, a ditch, and an external bank also of earth. At the east end the inner bank rises about two or three feet from the level of the camp; externally it falls from 12 to 15 feet to the bottom of the ditch, and the counterscarp has a height of alxiut four feet, witli, at the jd resent time, only a foot or two of outer rampart. The details are practically repeated at the western end, and are seen at their best at the south-western angle. The interior surface of the camp rises to a narrow ridge, and is altogether too irregular to have constituted this a permanent dwelling-place. There are no signs of hut circles. — Visited, 4th November, 1909. » • Dol y gaer (Dolegayer) was expressly excluded fi'oni the grant of Kerry and Cedewen to Roger Mortimer in the year 1201 (CaJ. Puteiit h'nUg. 19 Ed. I). It is mentioned in a document of the year loP*) relating to this parish (British Museum Additional Charter No. 41872). t"T tvthvn ar ben v gaer" in Ucheldre township is mentioned in an Exchequer Commission o 21 Jas. I. A. P. "1623 {Mont. Recordf, 59). EOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IX WALES AND MONMOUXQSUI££ : Parish of BETTWS CEDEWEN. 32. Camp (G in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 S.E. ; lat. 52° 34' 42", long. 3° 16' 6"). Owner, Mrs. E. M. Lewis Andrew, Glan Hafren, Abermule; occupier, Mr. Evan Jones, Lower Ucheldre farm, Bettws Cedewen. A small camp following the irregular outline of a low iiill on the farm of Lowei- Ucheldre, measuring 102 yards from east to west, and 45 yards from north to south. The groiuul rises to the eastein end, whence a fine prospect over the valley of the Llifior is obtained. This side is carefully defended, and may have con- tained the entrance. The defences consist of a deep ditch, with interior and exterior earthen ranipails, now obliterated in i)laces. Tiic northern .side descends abruptly to a little ravine; which was considered to afford sullicicnt defence. But on the eastern and southern sides the ditch and rampai-ts are perceptible, and on the west the interior rampart is about three feet in height, with a drop of about 12 feet from its sinnmit to the bottom of the fosse. Half-a-milc to the southward is the strong post of Pen y Gaer (No. 31), of which this camp may have been an out- post. The field al)oiit 300 yards to the south-west is called "Castle Top" in the 'Jlthe Survey (No. 311).— Visited, 9th August, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman-Welsh mounts, WITH enclosures). 33. Camp on Cefn Ucheldre (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 36 N.E. ; lat. 52° 33' o5", long. 3 17' 6'). Owner, Lord Joicey, Gregynog Hall, Tregynon, Newtown; occupier, Mr. Thomas Arthur Pryce. A small mound-and-bailey castle on the farm of Bettws Hall, occupy- ing the crest of a small hill. The position is not well chosen, as it is much exposed to the prevailing westerly winds, while the saddle upon which it is placed is so narrow that the mound, although of insignificant size, occupies the entire width of the ridge, and cuts off internal comniimication between its upper and lower ])aileys. The mound is placed near the northern end of the long and narrow enclosure; its height is from 20 to 25 feet. The smnmit is fiat, with a diameter from N.E. to S.W. (that is, along the line of the ridge) of 25 feet, and from S.E. to N.W. (across the ridge) of 30 feet. So restricted is the space upon the saddle that the moat could not be carried completely round the mound, and is practically nothing more than a deep cut on either side of it. The ditches have an average depth of four feet from the ground level, the counterscarp in each case rising at a very acute angle; they have no protection along their outer margins. The enclosure to the south-west takes in the ridge for a distance of 30 yards, but that at the north-eastern end extends only for about the same number of feet. It is ba ident that the strength of the position was considered to lie in the steepness of the approaches, and the restricted area at the summit. The physical conditions are similar to those found at Dolforwyn, and it is probable that either this, or the original stronghold there, was the seat of the Welsh chieftains of Cedewen. The present camp is called ' Caer Siac ' upon the Ordnance sheet, but that name has apparently been evolved from that of a field at the foot of the hill behind the vicarage, which is well known as 'Cae Siac.' — Visited, 28th October, 1909. Division III (Stone Castles — Medieval). 34. Dolforwyn Castle* (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.W.; lat. 52° 32' 46", long. 3° 15' 2"). Owner, Mr. W. LI. Lloyd, Castell Forwyn. Bettws Cedewen; occupier, Mr. Joseph Lewis, New^ House, Llanllwchaiam. The ruins of a small stone castle of the period of Henry "III., built upon a sharp ridge overlooking the valley of the Severn, and probably the successor to an earlier monnd-and-bailey structure, whose defences were utilised. The ground wa.s levelled into a platform extending for about 200 yards by 100 yards in breadth, and upon * The early name of this castle would appear to have been Del Verein or Vorein (Vs meadow) : certainly not Dol vorwyn (the maiden's meadow"). The form in Citrdif US. 14 (written in the year 1606) is Dol y voryn, which appears to represent an intermediate stape. Tt has been usnal to consider this castle "as destroyed early, but it was tenanted in the 7th year of Ric. TT, when Roper WioTnore was granted the custody of the castle of Dolvarvn in Wales during the minority of the heir of Edmund de Mortimer, 11th Oct. 1.S83. (Cal. nf Pat. Rolls). INVENTOEY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEEY. Parish of BETTWS CEDEWEN. tills platform was erected a simple parallelogram, of which there remain but a few vestiges of the curtain walls on the northern and eastern sides. At the eastern end was placed a small circular tower of about 30 feet diameter, probably com- municating directly with the cuilain which abutted upon it on either hand. Mr. G. T. Clark considered the curtain to have been otherwise quite plain, ' ' without either buttress or pilaster or flanking tower ' ' ; but this is an error. A careful examination of the lemains show that the north curtain was divided midway by a three- quarter-engaged tower, and that there was a tower at the north-western angle. These towers were without doubt matohed by similar towers at the opposite angles and in the centre of the south curtain. The entrance was at the we.stern end, and buildings probably occupied this portion of the interior to a distance of about 30 feet, where are remains of a strong dividing wall. The structure was defended at its eastern and western ends by deep ditches excavated across the ridge; the line of rock is so narrow as not to have admitted of a ditch upon the longer sides of the parallelogram, but the ground was sharply scarped on either side. No indications exist of any external defences. Mont. Coll., 1877, x, 326, with plan. — Visited, 23rd January, 1909. Lewis, Tof. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.n. ' Bettws,' says that " a brass pot, an earthen jug, and some other ancient relics were dug out of the ruins, some years since, and are at present preserved at Gregynog." Gregynog has changed owners since the above was written, and nothing is now known there of the articles.* Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 3-1 The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 36 N.E.). Ded : St. Beuno. Diocese of St. Asaph ; archdeaconry of Montgomery ; rural-deanery of Cedewen , townships of Dolforwyn, Garthgelyn, Llaneithion, Ucheldre. The edifice was well restored in the year 1868. It has no structural division between nave and chancel, but at the restoration the latter was raised four steps above the nave. The tower is now the most ancient part of the structure ; the lower portion is of the Early English period, with a doorway of the same date and an Early English triplet above. It is crowned with the usual Montgomeryshire squat oaken belfry. Internally the tower opens directly into the church by a tall pointed arch, which may be original. The roof is for the greater part original, and of the late fourteenth century; it is of the plain open type usual throughout the county. A small brass commemorative of a former incumbent, John ap Meredyth, in priestly vestments, and recording his erection of the bell-chamber, is now fixed into the western wall. It is dated 1531. The two south windows contain fragments of medieval glass, said to have been brought from Glastonbury abbey, and other Somersetshire churches. — Visited, 28th October, 1909. Thomas, II wt. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 510. An Inventory of the registers, communion plate and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Dec. 1906, xxxiv, 240. Division V (Miscellaneous — Holy Wells). 3(i. Holy Well. — A well is mentioned in Mont. Coll., 1891, xxiv, 178, as existing in the parish, but the situation is not specified, and no indication of its site is given in the Ordnance maps. A holy well, now disused, is situated near New Wells chapel in the township of Dolforwyn. A well called Pistyll canpwll, formerly much frequented on Trinity Sunday, is situate close to the village of Bettws, but in the parish of Tregynon (No. 898). It is now covered in, and utilised for the village water supply. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 37. Pen y Garreg (6 in. Ord. Sm-v. sheet, Mont. 37 N.W.; lat. 52° 33' 20", long. 3° 14' 10"). A field, now a plantation, upon the farm of Bryn, marked in the Tithe Schedule, No. 291. * In the Walter Daries correspondence, now in the National Library at Aberystwyth, is a letter of the 22nd Feb., 181-t, from Miss Eliza Colby to the Rev. Walter Davies which evidently refers to the same find. The writer states that " some years ago coins were found on or near fo tlie ancient site of Dolforwyn Castle, in a rude stone vase, reseniblins: in shape a common jug ; . . . . the largest copper one of Charles II also Philip the Fourth of Spain." B 10 KOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIBE : Parish of BKTTWS CEDE WEN. 38. Caer Dial or Cae'r Dial (O in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 36 N.W. ; lat. 52° 33' 16". long. 3° 19' 25"). A field appearing in the Tithe Schedule (No. 343) ; now known as Cae Coch. 39. Cefn Dinas (0 in. Ord. Sui-v. sheet, Mont. 36 N.E.; lat. 52° 33' 33", long. 3° 17' 2"). A field on Bettws Hall Farm, so styled in the Tithe Schedule (No. 218). but having no appearances of an artificial dinas. — Visited, 28th October, 1909. Division VII (Finds). 40. MtiClievil. — A signet ring of the 14th century, bearing the monogram R; found in the churchyard. Now in the Welshpool ^luseum. Illustrated in Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 431. 41. A rapier, found at Dolforwyn Castle; now in the Welshpool Museum. 42. A quern, found at the Almshouse ; now in the Wel.shpool Museum. Parisli of CARNO. Division la (Carneddau). 43. Iwr Gwyn Mawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 34 N.E.; lat. 52° 33' 0". long. 3° 35' 45"). Owner, Mr. Evan Morgan, Ty Brith, Carno; occupier, Mr. Edward Reese, Blaen y Cwm, Carno. A large cairn, placed at an altitude of about 1,560 feet above Ordnance datum; it has been opened and very completely destroyed in the process. Welsh historians and antiquaries of two or three generations ago were wont to associate the carneddau on the high land between the parishes of Carno and Llanbrynmair, and esjjecially the carnedd known as Twr Gwyn Mawr, with the conflicts mentioned in the Welsh chronicle called Brut y Tywysogion under the years 948 and 1080 A.n. In Arch. Caiiibren^is, 1853, II, iv, 8, the conjectures relative to the battle between Gruffudd ap Cynan (and Rhys ap Tewdwr) and Trahaiarn ap Caradog in the year 1080 are said to have been strengthened by the discovery of '■ javelin heads, battle-axes, and the infantry bills of that period " near the site of Twr Gwyn Mawr. In 1855 the cairn was opened by the Rev. David Davies, then vicar of Dylife, and an account of the excavation is given by him in Arch. Camh., 1857, III, iii, 301. The remains of what appear to have been two separate interments were met with. In one, which was beneath three flagstones laid " on a level with the soil, a small leaf of bronze, about the size of a crown piece, but much thinner," was found. In another part of the cairn a cist 6 feet by 2 feet was unearthed, the floor "covered w'ith black charcoal and ashes, intermixed with a profusion of small stones"; two flint arrow^ heads and a flint knife, having clear connection with this interment, were also discovered.* The cairn is said to have measured 60 feet in diameter before the excavation. During that undertaking the interior w^as practicallv wholly removed, the stones being carelessly thrown out all round.t— Visited, 12th July, 1910. 44. Twr Gwyn Bach (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 34 N.E. ; lat. 52° 32' 37", long. 3° 35' 39"). The ruins of a cairn which, according to a writer in Mont. Coll., 1868, i, 226, had been opened " before the memory of the oldest frequenter of the mountain." * Illustrations of these flint arrow heads and knife accompany the paper, as also drawings of a flint spear head and a spindle whorl "found near Carno," but no reference is made to the two latter articles in the letterpress ; nor is anything said of what had beea done with the finds. t A wire fence, considered to form the boundary line between the parishes of Carno and Llanbrynmair, passes through the centre of the levelled caii-n. The words 'Twr Gwyn (Cairn)' have been printed on the Ordnance sheet rather far from the actual site of the cairn, and close to the bench-mark sign, so that confusion is liable to arise. A word of warning may ho permitted against visiting this desolate upland without a guide. INVENTORY OF THE COUXTY OF MONTGOMEEY. 11 Parish of CABNO. This lies about half a mile direct south from Twr Gwyn Mawr, and is a few yards within the Carno boundary. The stones of which it was composed have been so scattered that it is impossible to give satisfactory measurements. — Visited, 12th July, 1910. 45. Hut Circles. — About 150 yards south-east of the first cairn are two stone circles, almost certainly the foundation stones of two hut dwellings. The external diameter of both is the same, namely 12 feet. The entrance would appear to have faced the south, but the remains have been too much broken down to render this certain. Each circle has a stone near the centre, which might denote the hearth-place, but they bear no signs of fire. These circles are not shown upon the Ordnance sheet. — Visited, 12th July, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 40. Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 34 N.E. ; lat. 52° 33' 8", long. 3° 33' 4"). Owner, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Wynnstay, Ruabon; occupier, Mr. L. D. Humphreys. A much worn camp placed upon a rocky eminence, giving a fine prospect over the valley of the Carno. It is by no means clear if the hill was fortified all round: at present the bank is seen only upon the west and north-west sides. The entrance faces directty west, and is 9 feet in width. The bank to the left of this entrance is only 10 yards in length, but on the right it extends for 45 yards, decreasing in height and strength as it proceeds northward, and terminating at a small outcrop of rock at the north-east angle of the hill. The ditch is apparent for almost the entire length of the bank, and an outer defence covers the whole of the short length west *of the entrance, but extends to only about half the distance of the length to the north. The banks are strongest at the entrance, but show no signs of being curved.— Visited, 19th July, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Roman). 47. Y Gaer or Y Gaer Noddfa (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 N.W.; lat. 52° 33' 24", long. 3° 31' 49"). Owner, Mr. A. W. Davies, The Goodwjm, East Cosham, Hants; occupier, Mr. David Hamer, Ty Mawr, Carno. A rectangular camp measuring about 300 feet by 200 feet, on the banks of the river Carno, immediately to the north of and adjoining the present church- yard. The line of the valla has been considerably altered, and has altogether disappeared on the site of the church. " Within its centre was a huge cam, whence my informant told me he remembered more than 1,000 loads of stone having been removed for fencing and road purposes " (Mr. T. 0. Morgan in Arch. Camb., 1856, III, ii, 198). The recorded finds have been inconsiderable, but a few trial holes made in the autumn of 1909 under the auspices of the Liverpool Committee for Antiquarian Excavation and Research in Wales demonstrated the Roman origin of the camp. It is distant 5^ miles from the Roman military station of Caersws, and upon the line of Roman road which unquestionably ran up the valley westwards. This road passed through the village of Carno, and is visible at the side of the modern high road a few yards above the Aleppo Merchant Hotel; and the word ' Sarn ' is frequently found in the place-names of the district. — Visited, 12th July, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 43. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 N.W.). Ded : St. John. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural -deanery of Arwystli; townships of Llyssin, Trawscoed, Derlwyn. A church formerly belonging to the Knights Hospitallers of St. John of Jerusalem. The present building, and evervthing within it, is modern. — Visited, 12th July, 1910. B2 12 ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IX WALES AND MONMOUTUSIIIEE : Parish of CARNO. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). -IH. Carneddau (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 28 S.W.; lat. 52° 35' 4", long. 3^29' 11"). A farmstead so called: Tithe Schedule. No. 1465. There are at present no indications of cairns. 5U. Dol y maen (O in. Urd. Surv. sheet, .Mont. 34 N.E. ; lat. 52° 33' 38", long. 3° 33' 15"). 51. Cae Gam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 N.W.; lat. 52° 32' 55", long. 3° 31' 59"). Tithe Schedule, No. 1345. 52. Cae Garreg {« in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 N.W.; lat. 52° 32' 55", long. 3° 30' 27"). Tithe Schedule, No. 1559. A field on the boundary of Carno and Llanwnog parishes. The monolith which gave its name to the enclosure was probably a boundary stone. 63. Twyn Gosod. A short distance from Twr gwyn bach (No. 44) is said to have been a cairn bearing the above name, but the stones which formerly composed it have been entirely removed {Mont. Coll., 1868, i. 227). 54. Old Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 N.W.; lat. 52° 33' 0", long. 3° 31' 12" and 3° 31' 6"). Xos. 1502 and 1524 on the Tithe Map of 1848, under the style ' Old Road,' denote the lower part of the two enclosures at the spots indicated. They form narrow strips on the north side of the old road from Frankwell, are in direct line witli the known course of the Roman road between Carno and Caersws, and doubt- less mark the points at which the road was visible some years ago. 55. Old Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 S.E. ; lat. 52° 35' 0", long. 3° 33' 50"). At the spot indicated, and for a distance of about 100 yards to north-west and south-east of it, tlie Tithe Survey map shows an ' Old Road ' (Schedule, No. 451). The direction is parallel to the modern high road, from which it is distant about 180 yards, and is a continuation of the probable course of the Roman road from Carno. 56. Tumulus (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 28 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 17", long. 3° 30' 55"). At or very near the spot indicated, the old 1 in. Ord. sheet shows a ' Tumulus,' but there is now^ no sign of any antiquity. The site is near the point of junction of the three parishes of Carno, Llanerfyl, and Llanbrynmair, and on the upland called Twmpath Melyn. 57. Wtra'r Abbot (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 N.W.). North-east of Dolwen (lat. 52° 33' 19", long. 3° 31' 26"). 58. Gwaun yr huale. — " Eastward from Carno is . . . gwayn yr huale, and three heaps of stones thereon" (Peniarth MS. 120, fo. 396, partly a copy of a notebook of Robert Vaughan. Hist. MSS. Com. Report on MSS. in the Welsh Language, i, 732). 59. ' ' At Carno, near the church westward there is a round plot of ground environed with a very deep ditch where they say the church was seated " (Peniarth MS. 120, fo. 396, as above). This may have reference to the Gaer (No. 47), where the fosse of the Roman station may have been very apparent a couple of centuries ago, but the shape of that site can hardly be described as round. OWERN FYCHAN CLAWDO c6c»l FARM l'i"VENTOKY OF THE COUNTY OF MOXTGOMEEY. Parish of CARBEGHOFA. 68. Gwern y Vigin (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 N.E. or 11 N.W.). "Within half a mile of the castle lies a memorable spot, Gwern y Vigin, where a battle was fougiit al)0ut the \ear 1202, and probably terminated in favour of the English, and [the writer conjectures] that the castle of Carreghova was the fruit of their victory" {Mont. Coll., 1874, vii, 383). " Near to this site, and alongside of Offa's Dyke, is a field called ' Ero Brock Penn ' [correctly, ' Erw'r Grogbren '], or the Gallows Field " {Mont. Coll., ib, 386). ' Erw y Crog pren,' according to the Tithe Schedule (Xo. 239) was a small rectangular piece of ground of 3 a. r. 30 p. lying between the railway and Causeway Lane at lat. 52° 46' 40", long. 3° 6' 24". This is, however, about three-quarters of a mile distant from what is generally regarded as being the line of Offa's Dyke, which, south of the village of Llanymvnech, is practically the high road to Welshpool. The field immediately south of Carreghofa Hall (lat. 52° 47' 7", long. 3° 6' 0") is, in the Tithe Schedule (No. 133), called '"Paddock" and " Cae pen y Rhythur" (? rhuthr). Gwern y Vigin does not appear in the Tithe Schedule. Division VII (Finds). 69. Stone Celt ; found at Clawdd Coch, 13th May, 1875. Now in the Welshpool Museum. (See Proc. Soc. Antiq., II, iv, 171.) 70. Bronze Spear-head — found on Llanymynech Hill. Now in the Welshpool Museum. (Illustrated in Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 433, and 1878, xi, 205.) '^ Tlluxfrated, figure .5.] 71. Two portions of a bronze horse-bIt of late Celtic character, found during the making of the railway. " The exact spot where they w^ere found is near the spot where the railway crosses the canal" {Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 445, wuth illustration of one to half -size, repeated ib, 1878, xi, 206). They had been previously (3rd December, 1868) exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries by their possessor, Mr. W. H. Bickerton, Maesmynan Hall, Caerwys (later of Newton-on-the-hill, Shrop- shire), and are described in the Proceedings II, iv, 171, as " a pair of remarkable objects of a yellow mixed metal discovered in 1866, at Carrickoffa, near Llanymynech, four feet below the surface, in ground between two dykes." It is added that '" in the immediate neighbourhood of the spot where these objects were found, a discovery was made, a few years back, of a large number of bronze weapons of the ordinary types ' ' — a find of which no other mention can be discovered; and the allusion is probably to the discovery of the hoard of bronze implements near Crowther's Camp (No. 949), which took place in 1862. The Carreghofa objects were again exhibited at the Society of Antiquaries by Mr. J. P. Earwaker, F.S.A., on the 13th April, 1893, when they were described as " two curious bronze articles of unknown use," and the following additional particulars of their discovery are given. Mr. Bickerton " was superin- tending the removal of a bed of clay in a wood for the purpose of puddling an aqueduct then in course of construction. They were found by the workmen in the clay about 18 inches from the surface. Nothing else was found at the same time, and time did not permit of any further searches being made " {Proc. Soc. Ant., 11, xiv, 317, with illustration). One of the objects is said (in Mont. Coll.) to be 5 inches in length, and the other a quarter of an inch less; but the Proc. Soc. Ant. just quoted states that they " are exactly the same shape and size." llUustrated, figures 8 and 9.] 72. Bronze fibula- — found at Pant, at the foot of a tree, 4 feet below the surface. Now in the Welshpool Museum. [Illustrated, figures o aiul 7.] 73. Coins — "Some years ago an urn was discovered by an old man, while removing some of the 'raffle,' or refuse stone, etc., from the quarry. It contained a large nuujber of gold and silver coins, as well as bronze, many of which were identified as Roman. These were all disposed of to visitors for a trifle, and doubtless the urn has found a resting place in the cabinet of some antiquarian visitor. Another urn was also discovered, but this one shared a curious fate. The person who found it had some misgivings as to whether he would be deemed the lawful owner, and 16 KOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MOXTMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOrTlTSIUEE I Parish of CARREGHOFA. c()nsf(|ueiitly allowed iiis tivasuro to remain, it is supposed, \vli(>re he discovered it, but, as may be expected, carried olT many of the coins at intervals. Ketui-ning one day to again open the urn, he found a large quantity of raffle had been carried to the place and completely buried it. The heap of flrhris is still pointed out where the relic is entombed. Another large find took place within the present (the 10th) century, and, like the above, has been a family secret. The parties forwarded the coins to the autliorities of the British Museum, and were amply repaid in current coin, which was apparently of more value to them. Thev are there to be seen in a cabinet, simply labelled ' Shropshire ' " * (Mont. Coll., 1878, xi, 205). Medikval. 74. .V portion of carved oak, from the old church of Llanymynech. Now in the Welshpool Museum. 75. An ancient ring found at Llanymynech. Now in the Welshpool Museum. 76. " In making an excavation upon the summit of the hill, the miners discovered beneath a large mound the remains of a horse and a man. Among these were a spur and a bit, in a good state of preservation. They were assigned to the time of Charles I." {Mont. Coll., 1878, xi, 228.) 77. "Not far from the same spot a small field-gun was discovered in a garden, and near it a cannon ball. The gun, for some time, was left in the garden as an ornament, and eventually was purloined. It is not known what became of the shot" {lb, p. 228). 78. "In 1876 a silver shilling of the reign of Charles I was found by a person while digging iu his garden. It was in a good state of preservation " {ib, p. 229). Parish of CASTLE CAEREINION RURAL. Division III (Domestic Structures). 79. Dolardclun Hall (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W.; lat. 52° 38' 51", long. 3^ 14' 4S"). The present residence is built on the site of an earlier house. Here Henry Tudor, Earl of Richmond, is said to have stayed on his way to Bosworth field. 80. Pen llwyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W.; lat. 52° 38' 12", long. 3° 14' 30"). A farmstead in Cwragoran township, of late 16th or early 17th construction. Formerly a grange of Strata Marcella Abbey. 81. Moyclog (•<> in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.W.; lat. 52° 39' 46", long. 3° 13' 47"). A modern farmhouse that has succeeded a grange of Strata Marcella Abbey. A wing of the old house left standing is now known as " The Dryll." Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 82. Cae maen (6 in. Ord Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W.; lat. 52° 38' 28", long. 3° 14' 47" and 59"). Field on Henthrhyd ( ? Henrhyd) farm, so called in the Tithe Schedule, Nos. 574 and 575. S3. Cae maen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W.; lat. 52° 38' 41", long. 3° 14' 59"). Tithe Schedule, No. 580. * Enquiries at the British Museum show this statement to have been inaccurate. INYENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEEY. 17 Parish of CASTLE CAEREINION RURAL. 84. Waun y castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 22 S.E.; lat. 52° 38' 22", long 3° iry 31"). Tithe Schedule, No. 261. 85. Cae garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 X.W.; lat. 52° 40' 3", long. 3° 13' 28"). Tithe Schedule, No. 914. 86. Cae y garreg* (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 22 S.E.; lat. 52° 39' 0", long. 3° 16' 40"). Tithe Schedule, No. 818. 87. Maen Uwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 22 N.E.; lat. 52° 40' 27", long. 3° 16' 13"). Tithe Schedule, No. 113 (parish of Welshpool). 88. Cae garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 22 N.E.; lat. 52° 40' 43", long. 3° 16' 38"). Tithe Schedule, No. 148 (Welshpool). 89. It may be as well to state that the two sites shown on the original 1 inch Ordnance Map to the north and east of Cyf ronydd Hall, and respectively marked ' Camp,' are, in each case, either of natural formation, or have had all signs of artificial constructions entirely removed. — Visited, 7th April, 1909. Parish of CASTLE CAEREINION URBAN. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 90. Tan y clawdd Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.W.; lat. 52° 39' 45", long. 3° 11' 54"). Owner, Mr. J. Pugh, Llannerch hudol; occupier, Mrs. Best. A strongly defended position on the farm of Tan y clawdd, much obliterated by the construction of the farmstead and adjacent buildings. It consisted of an inner enclosure protected by a slight rampart, a first ditch the bottom of which is 7 feet from the present inner rampart, a second rampart of weak con- struction, falling a depth of about 3 feet to the bottom of a second ditch, and a strong outer rampart 5 feet high from the ground level of the ditch. At the south-west angle the second bank and ditch disappear, and the space between the inner and outer banks becomes a mere platform. The outer ditch on the south is now a cart track, but proceeding eastwards the triple ramparts are again met with before they become altogether lost beneath the modern farmstead. There are sufficient indications here and there to make clear the essential unity of the camp. The district is called Y Gaer (No. 940).— Visited, 27th June, 1910. 91. Y Golfa (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W.; lat. 52° 39' 11", long. 3° 12' 53"). That portion of the western end of the hill called Y Golfa, immediately above the farm of Sylfaen, was defended by earthworks, but fern grows so luxuriantly upon the hill that careful exploration is difficult. An area of 65 yards in one direction, by 35 yards in another, is enclosed by a low wall and ditch. The position is com- * This is about 600 yards from a bridge over a nameless streamlet, called upon the Ordnance sheet ' Pont pren tlaiio.' Such a name is not known in the neighbourhood, the bridge being usnuUy styled ' Pont Cwni baw.' 18 RltVAL ltiMMISS.lli.\ D.N AMIK.NT MOMSll.NT-- IN WALKS AM) MO-NMOL'TUSlllHE : Parish of CASTLE CAEREINION URBAN. inaiuliHi by higher ground in the rear, Init is impregnable on all other sides owing to the precipitous slopes of the hill. — Visited, 27th June, 11)10. it2. Pen y Foel (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W.; lat. 52° 38' 40", long. '.i 12 ')2"). Owner, the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool; occupier, Mr. David Edwards. A line camp, on an eminence of UOO feet, with an extensive outlook over the valley lying between Llanfair Caereinion and Welshpool. The summit of the hill is roughly square in shape, and the defensive lines of the camp follow the con- formation of the ground, 'i'lie sides facing the north, east, and south are very steep; the vulnerable point of attack was upon the west, which is the direction from which the camp is at present approached. Its main features are an inner enclo.sure of about 5 acres, a deep fosse on all sides except the south, and an outer enclosure with exterior fosse on the west. The eastern slope measures 90 yards, and has been made impregnable against a rush by careful straightening and scari)ing, the ground falling almost sheer for over 30 feet into a wide and shallow ditch. The ditch has an external bank of no more than 3 or 4 feet high. Proceeding northwards, at the north-east angle this external bank is increa.sed in height, and becomes a small mound, but it is again decreased along the northern face of the camp. The inner enclosure extends on this side for 150 yards, the ditch being carried round it at about the same distance from the sunnnit as before. The western face is 120 yards long, the ditch being again continued at a slightly decreased height, but apparently w itliout a break in its course. The arrangements at the south-western angle have been slightly disturbed by the erection of the farmstead at this point. The southern face is 135 feet in length. The sole entrance to the main, or inner, enclosure is near the south-eastern angle; the path was carried across the entire face of the hill, the precipitousness of which, while rendering impracticable a direct upward attack, permitted of the defence of the trackway along its whole length. At the summit the southern bank at the entrance is brought slightly within the camp, and the banks on both sides terminate with mounds; the banks may also have been slightly incurved. At the western end the camp was continued for a space of 37 yards beyond the fosse, and this space was itself defended on its further side by a slight rampart of 3 feet, and another strong ditch which ran along the whole western face of the position. The ground on the south still continued sufliciently precipitous to permit of no ditch being necessary, or it has been swept away by the farm buildings. The ditch on the north side, however, runs down the side of the hill, passing the ditch to the inner enclosure at a lower level, and eventually reaching flat ground. It thus provided a means of reaching the camp from the north, though it only opened into the outer fos.se, and had no direct communication with the inner fosse or enclosure. There are no signs of hut dwellings, nor of the presence of water within the ramparts. The camp is of the same type as that of Gaer Fawr (No. 211) and the Ffridd at Montgomery (No. 802). Mnvt. Coll., November, 1902, xxxii. 223, WMth a small sketch plan.— Visited, 20th April, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 9o. Gamp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S. W. ; lat. 52° 37' 39", long. 3° 13' 26"). The earthworks at the spot indicated, described upon the old 1 in. as well as the latest Gin. Ordnance sheets as a ' Camp,' have at present none of the regularity of outline shown upon the maps. There are unmistakable signs of human agency in the form of low banks, but the field in which they are seen slopes down to a little watercourse which has in former times overflowed its banks, and the earthworks have more the character of low protecting dykes than of a defensive enclosure. The field is named ' Y Wern,' and there is no tradition known to the present owner (Mr. Walter Colley, Pen y bryn) connecting it with a military purpose. — Visited, 14th June, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 01. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W.). Ded : St. Garmon. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Pool; INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEEY. 19 Parish of CASTLE CAEREINIOK TTRBAK. townships of Castle and Cwmgoran,* Sylvaen, Xantftorch, Hydan and Dol, Hydan ucha, Moydog, Y Gaer, Trefnant, Trehelig, Cyfronydd.t An entirely new structure, the former edifice having been pulled down in the year 1865. The churchyard is roughly circular, and has within it several mounds which have been regarded as historic, but they are just as likely to have been thrown up when the roadway which nearly encircles' the churchyard was formed — Visited 20th April, 1910. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1874, p. 728. An inventory of the registers, church plate, and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 65. Division V (Miscellaneous — Holy Wells). 95. St. Garmon's or St. Armon's Well (6in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W., lat. 52° 38' 37", long. 3° 13' 47"). A well on the farm of Cwm, now a by-take to Lower Sylvaen Farm. Owner, the Earl of Powis; occupier, Mr. T. E. Willis. It is not marked on the Ordnance sheet.— Visited, 20th April, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquari.\n Interest). 96. Garreg Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W. ; lat. 52° 37' 59", long. 3° 12' 20"). A field on the farm of Pen y pare, so called in the Tithe Schedule (No. 2209). 97. Dinas (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W. ; lat. 52° 38' 8", long. 3° 13' 50"). A natural hillock upon the farm of Pen y bryn. An ancient tithe-barn once stood upon the site of the present farm buildings, and the former house of Pen y brvn occupied the summit of Dinas hill. Tithe Schedule, No. 393. — Visited, 14th June, 1910. 98. Erw Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, :\font. 23 N.W.; lat. 52° 40' 15", long. 3° 12' 10"). Tithe Schedule, No. 2038. Division VII (Finds). 99. It is said that some antiquities have been discovered on the site of the camp No. 89, and that they are in the possession of Mr. Jones, Cwm. Parisli of CASTLEWRIGHT.i Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 100. Caer din (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 45 N.W. ; lat. 52° 30' 2", long. 3° 4' 15"). Owner, Mr. S. R. Heap, Mellington Hall, Churchstoke; occupier, Mr. Thomas George, Bank Farm. A strong earthen camp of simple type, placed at a height of 1,323 feet, at the eastern end of KeiTV hill, and a mile directly west of the Norman mound-and- bailey castle of Bishop's Moat. Its station upon the highest point of the watershed gives it a magnificent look-out in every direction, and constitutes it one of the most •This is called 'Cwmgoror' in a suit in the Exchequer of Pleas of the 37th Eliz. (Afont. Coll., Dec. 1895, xxix, 38). t The Township of Cyfix)nydd is in the civil parish of Castle Caereinion but in the ecclesiastical parish of Wel.shpool. + In the Hundred Rolls (temp. Ed. I) Castlewright is called Castel Ruht, that is ' Castell rhudd." "Red Castle" {Cal. Rot. Hundr.. ii, 89). C 2 20 HOYAL CUMUIbSIUN t)N ANCIK.NT MONIMENTS IN WALES AND MONWOUTHSHIEE : Parish of CASTLEWRIGHT. commanding sites in this county of fine positions. In shape it is an iri-egular circle, but the curve on the western side is iiattened until it becomes almost straight. The camp is formed of a vallum and ditch, surrounding an area of about an acre. The vallum rises about 4 feet from the interior of the camp; it is of rough construction, witli an average width of 4 feet, and a direct fall into a ditch which is about 4 feet deep. There is no outer vallum or other defence. One of the original entrances is near tlie south-western corner, and now measures 22 feet across. The almost straight line of rampart running north and south, and facing directly west, measures northwards 193 feet, when it makes a gentle curve towards the east : 52 feet beyond the curve is an entrance 12 feet wide, and 100 feet fuither on is another gap of 15 feet which has the appearance of being no part of the original plan. At a still further 100 feet, and near the south-eastern curve, is an entrance 28 feet in vndth, corresponding to the entrance at the south-west angle. A depressed trackway of an average width of eight feet runs from one of these entrances to the other, bisecting the camp most unequally. The distance measured from the northern vaUum to the trackway is 160 feet, and from the trackway to the southern vallum 60 tcet. There ;ire no signs of water within the camp, but springs arc numeious in the vicinity.— Visited, 26th Augtist, 1909. Division II (E.arthworks), sub-division E (Norman-Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 101. Bishop's Moat (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 45 N.W.; lat. 52° 29' 58", long. •.i~ 2' 42"). Owner, Mr. W. McLean Gamett Botfield, the Hut, Bishop's Castle occupier, Mr. Thomas Jones. A Norman mound-and-bailey castle of regular type, and with its principal features in excellent presei-vation. It stands at the south-eastern corner of the parish of Castlewright, where the boimdaries of that parish make an almost peifect rectangle, and align with those of the parish of Bishop's Castle. It is therefore placed at the south-eastern point of the county of Montgomery, where that county touches England. Though placed at an altitude of 1,120 feet above Ordnance datum, it does not command an outlook over the Montgomeryshire i>lain ; and its object was not so much to survey the lands which lie to the north and north-west of it, as those to the east and south-east. The mound is placed at the west end of the enclosure. It is almost circular, the diameter at the top from north to south being 4S feet, and from east to west 54 feet. The summit is practically flat. The total height from the bottom of the fosse at the east and west line is 49 feet. The height of the counterscarp is 19 feet, and the width of the fosse at the ground level averages 22 feet. The fosse is carried completely round the mound, its circumference measuring 127 yards. The enclosure lies to the east of the mound. It is of oval shape, and its longer axis of 236 feet from north to south is exactly double that of 118 feet from east to west. It is defended by a rampart of an average height of 4 feet, and still perfect, except at the south-eastern corner, where the modern farm- house of Bishop's Moat has encroached upon it. The exterior slope of the rampart falls in line w'lth the scarp of the fosse. On the northern side this fosse joins that around the mound in an almost direct line, the longer end of the enclosure lying almost entirely to the south. The entrance into this enclosure must have been on the east, at the point furthest from the mound, now occupied by some of the farm buildings. There are no appearances of a second enclosure. — Visited, 26th August, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 102. Offa's Dyke. — This earthwork passes through the western end of the parish, entering it at the point caUed Cwm where the parish boundary touches that of the townships of Bachelldre and Mellington in the parish of Churchstoke. It runs directly south over Kerry hill, and crosses the parish border into England at the house called Windy Hall on the summit of the hill. It constitutes no part of the boundaries of this parish. It will be described as a whole at a later stage. INVENTOEY OF THE COl.NTY OF MOXTGOMEKY. Parish of CASTLEWRIGHT. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 103. Eithin y Gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 45 N.W.; lat. 52° 30' 18", long. 3'^ 6' 0"). Owner and occu2)ier, Mr. S. R. Heap, Mellington Hall, Churchstoke. A farm of this name appears upon the Ordnance map, but no ancient remains are visible. Parisli of CEMMES. Division la (Tumuli). 104. Gelli Wen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 12 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 15", long. 3° 38' 7"). Owner and occupier, Mr. Hugh Hughes, Croes Heol, Tafolog, Dinas Mawddwy. In the field called Cae glas isa, and directly on the bank of the stream called Nant Lyn Coch, is a small tumulus which appears to have been partially excavated. Some of the stones bear marks of fire, and it is said that small patches of black earth are occasionally met with close to the heap. — Visited, 21st June, 1910 105. Carnedd Gerrig (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 20 S.W.; lat. 52° 38' 2", long. 3° 40' 32"). Owner and occupier, Mrs. Mary Davies, Tyn llwyn. This is a small mound, formed of stones and earth, placed on the summit of Moel Eiddew, at an altitude of 1,400 feet. It is 165 feet in circumference, with an average height of 5 feet, and a summit diameter of 35 feet. It is in excellent preservation, and does not appear to have been opened. A small heap of stones has been piled on the mound within recent years. — Visited, 14th June, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division D (Castle mounts, without enclosures). 106. Collfryn Mound (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 12 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 35", long. 3° 38' 50"). Owner, Mr. Thomas Owen, 31, Albert Square, Castle Fields, Shrewsbury ; occupier, Mr. Robert Edwards. Situated just off the Merionethshire border, on the river Tafolog, and west of Collfryn farmhouse, about ^ mile south of the road between the 13th and 14th mile- stones from Machynlleth to Welshpool. The mound, which commands the northern entrance to Cwm Tafolog, is known locally as ' Boncyn y Gwilliaid,' ' the outlaws' mound," and is said to be the burial place of the Mawddwy banditti. It appears to be partially, if not wholly, artificial, though its eastern slope, which is very abrupt, may have l3een rendered still more steep by art. It is about 50 feet in height, its summit slightly rounded. On its western side it is joined to the high land, from which it seems to protrude itself. Rushes grow thickly around the mound at its base, especially on the eastern slope. — Visited, 21st June, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 107. The Parish Church* (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 S.E.). Ded : St. Tydecho. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Cyfeiliog; townships of Brynuchel, Gwern bwlch, Tafolog. An edifice which has no structural division marking off nave and chancel. It has been much restored, the date 1742 on the south porch marking one restoration period. The western gable is capped by a small bell-cote. The church evidently possessed a fine rood screen, for Lewis's Top. Diet, of Wales (1833), s.v. ' Cemmes,' mentions a western gallery " adorned with fine carvings of flowers, etc., in wood." * The unmarked grave of the Welsh lexicographer, the Rev. Chancellor D. Silvan Evans, rector of Llanwrin, is under a fine yew tree between the church and the high road. 22 ROYAL COMMISSION- OX ANCIENT MONrMENTS IN WALES AND MONMODTHSHIEE : Parish of CEMMES. This gallon' lias bi'cn reiiiovod. aiul all that roinains of the carved screen-work is one strip of the cornice, 8 feet 3 inches long, now atlixed to the sill of the east window. The decoration consists of vine leaves and fruit, and a monk's head within a circle. The font is modern. The sun-dial is loose in the vestry. — Visited, 20th May, 1910. Glynne, 'Notes," Arch. C'amh., 1901, \1. i, 142. Division V (Miscellaneous). 108. Ancient Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 12 S.W., 20 N.W.). Running north through Cwm Tafolog is a trackway or road, probably constructed in the medieval period, and still in general use. The portion from (ilanyrafon to Pont ar Hyllfa shows in several places the unhewn .stoiies used in its construction. Slight excavations at difterent places on it, made by Mr. Benjamin Davies, Glanyrafon. reveal nothing but rough, large stones closely placed together. — Visited, 21st June, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquari.w Interest). h)\K Cae cerrig gwynion (6 in. Ord. Surv. .sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.; lat. 52° 37' 9", long. 3° 43' 1"). A field on Tyn y wern farm (also known as Rhyd y meini gw-ynion) closely adjoining the Cambrian Railway; No. 409 on the Tithe Schedule. The railway track is said to cover a small white stone which u.sed to be visible in this field. — Visited, loth June, 1910. 110. Cae Sam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.; lat. 52° 37' 22", long. 30 40/ 45//) A field on the farm of Gelliau; Tithe Schedule, No. 889. There are no present indications of a sarn. — Visited, 15th June, 1910. in. Castell bach (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 N.E.; lat. 52^ 40' 43", long. 3° 41' 13"). Owner, the Rev. J. Roland Pryce, Bangor. A small ruined homestead, marked in the Tithe Schedule, No. 1035, ' Castell house.' It has not been inhabited for at least sixty years. It once possessed a large stone oven, which has long since vanished. It stands on the lands of Blaenplwyf- uchaf. within memory formerly called ' Aber Llewelyn.' — Visited, 14th June. 1910. 112. Cwm Cae'r hendre (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 N.E.; lat. 52° 39' 38", long. 3° 41' 20"). Lies 1^ miles S.S.E., of Aberangell. The farmsteads of Cae'r hendre and Drws y Nant, the latter of which is in ruins, are remembered as the nursery of nonconformity in the parish. — Visited, 14th June, 1910. 11:'.. Garnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 20 N.'W.; lat. 52° 40' 44", long. 3° 38' 13"). Owner, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart, "Wynnstay, Ruabon; occupier, Mr. Benjamin Davies. A field on Glanyrafon farm in Cwm Tafolog. The occupier's long experience of the field is that " it is too stony to plough." Tithe Schedule, No. 526.— Visited, 21st June, 1910. Division VII (Finds). 114. A Bronze Celt, and a Circular Ornamented Brooch 3 inches in diameter, were found in a turbary on Moel Eiddew, in 1824, and passed into the collection of the late Rev. Isaac Bonsall, M.A., rector of Llanwrin, which, at his death, was lost or dispersed at the auction of his effects. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MOXTGOMEEY. 23 Parisli of CHURCHSTOKE. Division la (Tumuli). 115. " Near Offa's Dyke, which passes through the parish, are several tumuli, one of which was opened within the last few years : the bottom, which was sunk about a foot below the level of the surrounding land, was paved, and the sides were formed with flag-stones, on one of which was an inscription, very much obliterated ; within was only some black dust, among which was discovered a small coin, with a legend quite unintelligible "' (Lewis, Top. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.n. ' Churchstoke '). Mr. Thompson Watkin in Arch. Journal, 1878, xxxv, 78, after quoting Lewis, adds ■■ This seems clearly to have been a Roman interment." Division Id (Stone circles). 116. The Whetstones (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 31 S.E.; lat. 52° 34' 18", long. 30° 1' 42"). Owner, the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool; occupier, Mr. Jacob Ellis. At the foot of the northern slope of Corndon Hill, and close to a stile on the south side of the road near the turning to Clifidale mine. It is certain that at this place there once stood a circle of eight or nine stones. An intelligent man named John Jones, aged 74 years, and a resident in the vicinity since his youth, remembers four stones arranged as though forming parts of a circle, •\\-ith an appendage of four or hve other stones extending in a curve " like a hook."' About one hundred xiwcU distant was a cairn, the foundation of which is still discernible. The land was then unenclosed, but on its enclosure the cairn and the circle were rifled to provide stone for the construction of the existing fence. Mr. Jones pointed out the four stones which had been members of the circle. The Rev. C. Hartshorne's account of this circle in Salopia Antiqua, 1841, p. 33, gives a slightly different account of the stones. He observes "these three stones [The Whetstones] were formerly placed upright though they now lean, owing to the soft and bogg}' nature of the soil. They stand equidistant and assume a circular position. . . . The highest of these is four feet above the surface; one foot six inches in thickness, and three feet in width."' Only one stone is now to be found, embedded in the ground close to the stile entering the field, and this is so small that it is not likely to have formed one of the stones of the circle, or it must be a mere fragment of a larger mass. Close by, but within the borders of Shropshire, is the still perfect circle called Mitchell's Fold. — Visited, •iOth August, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division C (Romano-British). 117. The Moat (6 in. Ord. Sui-v. sheet, Mont. 38 N.W. ; lat. 52° 33' 19", long. 3° 3' 15"). Owner, the Rev. A. H. McLaughlin, Much Birch vicarage, Herefordshire ; occupier, Mr. T. B. Jones, Upper Aldress farm, Churchstoke. A camp bearing many of the characteristics of a small Roman station, situated upon level and comparatively low ground. Many generations of high cultivation obliterated most of its salient features, and rendered its classification difficult with- out excavation. It is now covered by dense undergrowth. In form the camp is at present almost square, its alignment being nearly parallel with the cardinal points, but on the east it originally extended beyond its modern boundary, as is evident by indications in the adjoining field. The interior length of the most perfect face, from X.W. to S.W., is 180 feet," and the original area extended to about an acre. The camp was protected by a rampart which would appear to have been of an average height of from five to six feet internally. Externally this rampart drops to a ditch of about four feet in depth, and six feet in width from the level. The northern and southern angles of the western side are rounded. There are no traces of entrances, but the south-eastern rampart has a break which is probably no part of the original plan, as it opens upon slightly rising ground. The line of the ditch is clearly defined in the field to the east, but cultivation has swept away the rampart. A little water-course, known as Dead Man's Dingle, served to strengthen the eastern and northern sides of the camp. Though presenting certain features of resemblance to 21 HOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MOXtMENTS IN WALES AND MOXMOCTHSIIIHE : Parish of CHURCHSTOKE. the siiuill Ruiiiaii camps of this couiitv. it is probably of Hritisli construction. — Visited. lUth July. HKM). Division II (Harthworks), subdivision E (Norman- Welsh mounts, WITH t:\closures). 118. Simond's or Symond's Castle (•; in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 S.W. ; lat. 52° 31' 57" ; long. 3° 3' 11"). Owner, Mrs. Owen, Plas yn Grove, Ellesmere, Salop; occupier, Mr. Richard Gough. A mound-and-bailey castle, iiuich disintegrated and cut into on the south- west side by an extensive quarry belonging to the Montgomery County Council. The mound is composed of earth and a consideral>le quantity of loose stones, which in places have the appearance of rubble masonry, but there is no sign of mortar nor of squared stonework. On the north and east sides the fosse still exists, but in such a mined condition as to make measurements of no value. The mound rises about 25 feet from the fosse on the north side; its sunmiit is fairly level, and has a diameter of 20 yards. No appearances exist of inner or outer courts. "Built or prol)ably restored by Simon de Montfort. earl of Leicester" (Mont. Coll., 1880. xiii 171).* By some process of transference the name ' Symonds Castle' has become attached to the south-east corner of the third field south of the farmhouse of Geufron. in the township of Hurdlev (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 N.E. ; lat. 52° 32' 37". long. 3° 2' 3"), and as' such it is shown on the Tithe map, and given in the Tithe Schedule (No. 918) ; but there is at the present time no evidence of antiquity upon that site. — Visited, 20th August, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). Hit. Uanfawr Hill (G in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 N.W.). Lewis in his Top. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.n. ' Churchstoke,' states that "On Llan Vawr hill, a craggy and precipitous eminence, are the remains of an ancient encampment, the origin of which has not been ascertained." No vestiges now remain. Lewis also observes (op. cit.) " On Churchstoke hill," by which is presumably meant ' the Roundtain ' (see No. 121). ' are vestiges of a Roman camp, and on the declivity called Todleth are the remains of old walls, and a piece of water called the Church pool (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 N.W.), probably belonging to some religious house, near the site of which, according to an absurd popular tradition, the church was originally to have been erected." He continues : " There are remains of British encampments on the Aldres farm (see No. 117), and at Galet y din, or Calton.t in this parish." Of the last named there are now no traces, unless the next article is indicated. 120. The Castle Ring (6 in. Ord. Sui-v. sheet, Mont. 38 N.W.; lat. 52° 32' 48", long. 3° 2' 54"). Owner, the Rev. W. R. Jones, Hyssington vicarage; occupier, Mr. John Mountford, Old Churchstoke. An almost obliterated work on the northern slope of Todlith hill, by which it is so completely dominated that it is difficult to believe it could ever have Ijeen constructed for purposes of defence. There is a dwarf mound at the north-western corner. Mr. George Mountford, head master of the Churchstoke schools, writes : "It is stated that about seven years ago a gentleman from London (?) found some implements like spoons amongst the stones here, and took them away with him." It is figured as a complete oval on the Tithe map. Part of the site is now cultivated a? allotment gardens, and this portion is known as 'the Garden Ring.' — Visited. 10th July, 1909. • In ' A Histoiy of the Parish of Snead' (Mont. Coll., 1910, xxxv, 270) it is suggested that the castle was named after Simon de Parco. who is shown to have been in service at 'the castle of Snet ' (Snead) in the 15th Henry III. (a.d. 1231). t This appears as Cmvlton on tlie modern 6 in. Ord. map. Mont. 38 N.W. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 25 Parish of CHURCHSTOKE. 121. Roundtain ov Roundton Hill (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 N.W.). A portion of the summit of this hill has been scarped, and a small space levelled, but with no purpose of defence nor appearance of antiquity. — Visited, 10th July, 1909. 122. Offa's Dyke (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 S.W. and 45 N.W.). The dyke runs through the western side of this parish, partly forming the boundary between Wales and England (but no part of the parish boundary) for a distance of a little over half-a-mile. It enters the parish from the neighbouring parish of Chirbury, crosses the Ceibutrach brook at Brompton bridge, traverses Mellington Wood and Mellington Hall grounds, where it is very clear, and passes out of the parish into that of Castlewright at Cwm, where it is just perceptible. It will be described as a whole at a later stage. Division III (Domestic Structures). 123. A number of houses whose names still survive date from early periods, but most of them have been altogether rebuilt, incorporating some of the materials of their predecessors in the process. Todlitli or Todletli House is mentioned in a deed (circa 1230-40) under the form of Toddelids (Mont. Coll., 1896, xxix, 58); and it appears in several charters of Queen Elizabeth's reign in the British Museum (Additional Charters, No. 41231). 124. Mellington Hall i^nd Colomendy Hall are also mentioned in the same group of charters. (See Cat. of the MSS. relating to Wales in the British Museum.) 125. Fir Court has the date 1685 inscribed on a beam over the window. 126. Hurdley Hall has the date 1710 above the wdndow. 127. Great Brighture ( ? Brithdir). Initials " R.E.," with date " 1695 " are on beam in wall (Richard Evans, M.D., died in 1701). It is stated that the present farm buildings were the former farmhouse. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 128. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 S.W.). Ded -. St. Nicholas. Diocese of Hereford; archdeaconry of Ludlow; rural-deanery of Montgomery; townships of Churchstoke, Hurdley, Mellington, Bacheldre, Hopton Ucha, Hopton Issa, Weston Madoc, all in Montgomeryshire ; Brompton, and Rhiston, in Shropshire. The only ancient portion of the present edifice is the western tower. This is of the regular type of the district — square and squat, with a decided taper from base to summit. These towers are usually crowned with a wooden belfry, but Churchstoke has a comparatively modem dwarf spire, much resembling an extinguisher. The western face of the tower has a single round-headed light with a simple chamfer ; the N. and S. faces have each a smaller light of similar character, but at a different level from that on the west. The font is modern; an earlier font, of 15th century date, serves as a flower pot in the churchyard, and is suffering from exposure to the weather.*— Visited, 20th August, 1909. * Since the above was written information lias been received that a still earlier font has been discovered in the parish, and that arrangements are being made for its restoration to the church. D 26 aOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIEE : Parish ol CHURCHSTOKE. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 129. Sarn. British Museum Additional Charter, No. 41261, of the year 1331, is a conveyance of one acre of land called Erw tal y Sarn (Eruthalcshsam), in the township of Mellington.* 130. Battlefield (« in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 S.W. ; lat. 52° 32' 14", long. 3° 2' 18"). A field on Little Hurdley Farm, and so-called in the Tithe Schedule, No. 865 ; but no tradition exists explanatory of the name. 131. Gwern Mynacli, Near Gwerii Mynach, Far Gwern Mynach (o in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.E. ; lat. 52° 30' 37", -33", -33", long. 3° 9' 4", -4", -8"). Three fields in the township of Hopton Uchaf , in the district of Wern, numbered in the Tithe Schedule as 92, 81, and 82 respectively. " These fields are portions of an area of seventy acres, forming part of a com- mon called ' Gwern y mynydd ' allotted under an Enclosure Act of 1781. It appears from Mont. Coll., 1893, xxvii, 82, that this piece of ground, with [the grange of] Gwernygo, etc., belonged to the j Radnorshire] abbey of Cwmhir " (Mr. G. Mountford, The Schools, Churchstoke). 132. Mynachlogid in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 S.E. ; lat. (of No. 66) 52° 32' 18", long. 3° 7' 4"). Owner and occupier, Mr. W. V. Davies, Pentrenant farm, Churchstoke. A field on the farm of East Pen y Han, partly in Wales (Tithe Schedule No. 66), and partly in England (Titlic Schedule Xo. 217). 133. Cae Abbot (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 S.E.; lat. .^2° 30' 43", long. 3° 7' 22"). A field on Pentrenant farm (Tithe Schedule Xo. 191). Owner, Mrs. Marsham; occupier, Mr. W. V. Davies. 134. Cae yr Abbot (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 S.E.; lat. 52° 31' 8", long. 3° 8' 15"). A field on Lower House farm (Tithe Schedule No. 113). Owner, Mr. A. G. Montford, Ivy House, Churchstoke. 135. Old Chapel (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 S.W.). Mentioned in penunbula- tion of parish of 1702 {Mont. Coll., 1906, xxxiv, 197). Its site was probably the close, No. 255 of the Tithe Schedule, between Pentre corn mill and Chapel Meadow (Tithe Schedule No. 252). The above four sites probably, and the third certainly, formed part of the monastic property of Cwmhir abbey. 136. Mardy (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 N.W.). The Mardy house (y maer dy), a link with the period when the Welsh tribal system of land tenure flourished in this district, once stood on the area numbered in the Tithe map 303 (not No. 302, as given in the Schedule), about 400 yards N. of Cwmdula (lat. 52° 33' 37", long. 3° 2' 52"). * A Sam Meadow, probably connected with the above, lies in Brompton township (in England), a few yards within the boundary of Churchstoke parish at Brickyard bridge, and N. of the Montgomery road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 S.W. ; lat. 52° 32' 20", long. 3° 5' 0"). The term 'sarn' is used on the Shropshire border for a culvert, and in accord with this explanation the point where the tiny brook called the Lack is crossed by a culvert is known as Lack Sam. A Sarn Meadow also lay on the S.W. side of the parish, close to Gwernygoe in Kerry parish (map of Churchstoke in 1702, in Mont. Coll., 1906, xxxiv, 197). INVENTORY OF THE COU-NTi' OF MONTGOMERY. 27 Parish of CHUIICHSTOKE. Division VII (Finds). 137. Inscribed stone. A tumulus near Offa's Dyke: "the bottom, which was sunk about a foot below the level of the surrounding land, was paved, and the sides were formed with flag-stones, on one of which was an inscription very much obliterated" (Lewis, Top. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.n. ' Churchstoke '). lo8. A stone vessel of nondescript character was discovered, c. 1873, in the Cross Likey brook, about half-a-mile from Churchstoke on the Bishop's Castle road {Mont. Coll., 1883, xvi, 296, with illustration). It is now in the Welshpool Museum, and is probably of quite modern date. 139. Coins, Roman. "At a place on Offa's Dyke, called the Three Jacks, a coin of Agricola was found about twelve years since " (Lewis, ib.). 140. Unknown. Within the tiunulus above described, near Offa's Dyke, "was discovered a small coin, with a legend quite unintelligible " (Lewis, ib.). Parish of CLETTERWOOD. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 141. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 24 N.W. ; lat. 52° 39' 38". long. 3° 5' 18"). Owner, the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool. A camp of apparently very perceptible and clearly marked features is shown upon the Ordnance sheet at the point above indicated, on the slopes of the Black Bank plantation. Though two attempts were made to fix its position and to trace its outline, the density of the wood prevented the formation of any settled conclusions, or even whether there was a camp at all. In one or two places there were indications of earthen banks, but they did not seem to form part of a scheme of defences; and, whatever may have been the appearances when the Ordnance surveyor drew his plan, the evidences at present existing are not so clear as they are represented upon the map. — Visited, 16th October, 1909. Since the above was written this camp was visited by Mr. W. LI. Elliott, M.D., of Welshpool, on the 17th Xovember, 1910, a period of the year which permitted of a closer examination than had been possible to the Commission's Inspector. Dr. Elliott has kindly furnished the following report : — The camp in the Black Bank plantation is of simple design, and not very large ; but its position must have made it important, situated as it is on the summit of the spur of the Long Mountain which lies between Cwm Bychan and Cwm y Drindod, the roads up which unite at the top and join the broad road running along the Long Jlountain. The camp measured 300 feet by 150 feet, reckoning from the bottom of the fosse. The latter is quite complete and has a circuit of over 800 feet. The slope from the bottom of the fosse to the highest point, which is practically also the centre of the enclosure, vai-ies from 1-t to 24 feet. The density of the undergi-owth prevented accurate observation of the encircling bank, but it can be clearly traced at the two points whei'e a pheasant drive cuts through the camp, and there ai'e indications of it elsewhere. It is not an elaborate work. The fosse on its outer side falls away with the natural slope of the hill. It cannot be traced along the lower or northern end of the enclosure, where the steepness of the ground did not require additional strengthening, but at the southern end, where probably was the entrance, the line of the bank and fosse are easily followed. At this end, too, are clear indications of a second bank and fosse, about 6 feet beyond the margin of the main fosse, but this second line of defence is quite short, and was merely intended to cover the entrance. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 142. Offa's Dylin is believed to have originally formed the capital of one of the piers in tlio abbey church of Strata Marcella, with the character of which it is in perfect accord. An excellent drawing is in Mont. Coll., 1891, XXV, 187. The two-light west window contains a numlx^r of fragments of 15th century glass. In the east window is a shield of arms of the barons Dudley of the Sutton family, of which a good account and coloured illustration are given in Mont. Cnll., 1R73, vi, 29.— Visited, 19th October, 1909. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. Sf. .4.mp/i, 1874, p. 726. An inventory of the registers, plate and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 63. Division V (Miscellaneous — Holy Wells). J 41.. Trinity Well {^ in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 24 N.W.; lat. 52° 39' 45", long. 3° 5' 4"). A still abundant spring on the south side of the by-road near Buttington church, going past Garbett's Hall and Up the slopes of the Long .Mountain. It is a couple of yards from the roadway, and just within the confines of a thick plantation called the Black Bank, the property of the Earl of Powis. The water flows freely, though the sjjring is overgrown with thick vegetation. There is no a])pearance of building around or about the well, nor does there seem to be any lingering tradition in connection with it. — Visited, 16th October, 1909. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 145. Battlefield — defeat of the Danes in a.d. 894 (.1 . S. Chronicle). In the year 1838, during the construction of a new schoolroom in the south- west corner of Buttington churchyard, an immense quantity of human bones was discovered, many of the skulls bearing evidence of a violent deat,h. These have been generally regarded as the remains of combatants in the battle which the A nglo-Saxon Chronicle records as having been fought between the Saxons and the Danes at Buttingtune in the year 894. Professor Boyd Dawkins {Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 145) observes : " It is quite possible to trace at the present time the boundaries of the Danish camp. It was defended on the north-west by the river Severn ; on the east by a rampart running parallel, or nearly so, with the road to Forden ; on the north- east by the churchyard wall; and on the south liy the depression whicli runs down from the present line of the Forden road behind the vicarage garden down to what was then the old course of the Severn. It may also have included the site of the outbuildings opposite to the Green Dragon Inn." In accordance with that identifica- tion the site of the battle has been marked upon the Ordnance map (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.E.). It should, however, be observed that this location of the battle has not been universally accepted. 146. Tiry Maen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 24 N.W. ; lat. 52° 40' 22", 52° 40' 22", and 52° 40' 26", long. 3° 6' 15", 3° 6' 8", and 3° 6' 4" respectively). Three adjoining fields lying on the north side of the main Shrewsbury and Welshpool road at the turn of the road near Buttington Hall, and between the road and the Cambrian Railway line ; niunbered in the Tithe Schedule 691. 690 and 712 respectively, according to the order of the data above. 147. Pont Sarn y Palmant — mentioned in a Cletterwood parish will of the year 1608 {Mo7it. Coll., 1888, xxii, 279). Division VII (Finds). 148. Carved Stone, from Buttington Hall chapel. In the Welshpool Museum. nrVENTOHT OF THE COITNTY OF MONTGOMEEY. 29 Parish of CRIGGION. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 149. The Breiddin*{^ in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 N.W.; lat. 52^ 43 14", long. 3° 2' 41"). The huge isolated rock known as the Breiddin consists of three distinct peaks of almost equal altitude — that one to which the name of the Breiddin is more properly and exclusively applied, Moel y Golfa in the parish of Trewern, and Cefn Castell or Middletown Hill (upon which there is a strong eailhen camp) in the parish of Middletown. The direction of the entire mass is north-east and south-west, the side facing the valley of the Severn, which is that of the Breiddin proper, rising some 700 feet sheer, and being from that direction absolutely impregnable. The Breiddin hill stretches a little over a mile in length, but its breadth at the 900 feet contour is nowhere more than 300 yards. The summit runs up to a sharp ridge, the highest point (where stands a commemorative pillai' to Admiral Lord Rodney) being 1,202 feet. On its south-eastern slope the ground falls more gently, and at about the centre of its length the Breiddin joins on to its sister heights, and to the two or three smaller eminences, after which the whole mass dies away into the plain of Shrop- shire. On either side of the tolerably level space where the Breiddin is attached to the rough and uneven ground to the south and east, two deep ravines cut off com- munication with both its northern and southern terminations. A foe attacking the Breiddin position would have to force a passage from the Shropshire plain, meeting the camps of Bausley and Cefn Castell on its way; or it would have to leave those camps on one or other flank, and endeavour to struggle up the northern or southern ravine, or perhaps both, leading directly, but by an arduous and dangerous climb, to the front of the main position. The hill itself is defended by a stone wall, placed at a distance of from 300 to 400 feet below the narrow ridge which forms the summit, and carried along the entire south-eastern face of the hill. Its extreme length is a little over 4,000 feet. As the ravines to north and south respectively become deeper and deeper, the stone wall decreases in dimensions, and the outcropping rocks which over- hang the gullies are cleverly utilised. At the southern corner the wall follows the upward curve of the hill for a short distance, finally ending at the edge of a precipice w'ith a sheer drop of 600 or 700 feet. The central part of the vallum, for a length of about 2,500 feet, is stronger than its continuation to the right and left. Composed of loose stones, and denuded as it has been for the construction of neighbouring walls, it is now difficult to estimate its original height; but it was probably nowhere more than foxir or five feet high. The stones are comparatively small, and were doubtless intended as much for use as missiles during a battle, as for protection and defence. In one or two cases quite unmistakable signs of small circles of about six feet diameter .still exist, forming part of or being attached to the inner face of the vallum. The principal entrance was almost midway. It consisted of a narrow passage-way of about 250 feet leading obliquely down the slope of the hill, when it met a second and strictly parallel line of stone walling, and it may have been con- tinued for some distance as a traverse across the level ground below. The lower wall is about 3,000 feet in extent. Below it, for practically the entire length of the wall, is the comparatively flat and open space on to which the deep ravines already spoken of debouch, and here the face of the hill between the foot of the lower wall and the level ground has been scarped to such an extent as to enable the first line of defenders to stand almost immediately above their assailants. The level space was also defended by cleverly contrived cross banks of earth. Apart from the natural strength of the position the defences have an appearance of hasty construction, and of hurried use of the material that lay at hand. The rocky nature of the surface precluded the construction of a fosse along such an extended front, except at the cost of enormous labour and of undisturbed leisure, and here it was not attempted. — Visited, 14th July, 1909. The Breiddin is one of the supposed sites — and the one possessing the greatest evidences of probability — of the battle fought betw^een the British king Caratacos and the Roman general Ostorius Scapula in a.d. 50. There is a considerable litera- * A close called the Brevtben is mentioned in an Exche(iuer snit of 7 James I., 1(510 (MotU. CoU., 1895. .\- six, 45). The ii<,'bt of free warren of Brithen is pleaded in 13 Will. 111., 1701 (i"6.). 30 BOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IX WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE : Parish of CRIOOION. tare upon tlie subject, hut it will suffice to name Arch. Camh., 1851, II, ii, 122, and Mont. Coll., 1878, xi, 139, where the various arguments are set forth and discussed. The late Mr. H. H. Lynes, of Worcester, has a paper upon the camp in Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 327. illustrated by a somewhat fanciful plan. [lUuairaM, figure 10.] Division II (Earthworks), sub-division F (Homestead Moats). 150. Old Mills Moat* (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 S.W.; lat. 52° 42' 31", long. 3° 4' 10"). An oblong enclosure, having two obtuse and two acute angles, the longer sides from N. to S. of 300 feet, and the shorter sides from E. to W. of 220 feet, and with a total area of about one-and-a-half acres. At the south-western angle is a roughly circular platfomi where stood the homestead. The house was burned to the ground within living memory. A moat surrounded the whole. The ground within falls away to the eastward, and upon this side the moat is still full of water. The position is within 200 vards of the river Severn, and nuist always have been damp. — Visited, 12th July, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 161, The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 N.W.). Diocese of Here- ford ; archdeaconry of Ludlow ; rural-deanery of Pontesbury. An ancient church which has been badly used. It has been restored some time during the first half of last century in a wretched classic fashion. The former edifice may have been of the Early English period, as the present three-light east window is of that style, and perhaps replaced a similar one. The only interesting feature is a fine l7th century oak canopy to a three-decker pulpit, now affixed to the north wall. The font is modern. — Visited, 19th October, 1909. Division VII (Finds). 152. Stone. Stone implement, found on the Breiddin Hill; now in the Welshpool Museum (presented by Professor W. Boyd DaAvkins, F.R.S.). 153. Flint arrow head. Found on the Breiddin in 1900; now in the Welshpool Museum. 154. Iron. Spear Head, 18 inches long, and 1^ inches broad. Found in a crevice 45 feet from the surface, near the top of the Breiddin Hill and the Goblin's Hole ; now in the Welshpool Museum. 155. Roman Coins. Three third brass of Constantine II., one said to have been found on the Breiddin in 1863; the two others, together with a third brass of Victorinus, and another too much defaced for identification, found on the eastern side of the hill in a fissure of the rock, being the residue of what was believed to be a larger find. These are now in the Welshpool Museum. * Thoufjh appearing in the Ordnance map as part of the pari.sh of Trewern, Old Mills forms an enclave within it belonging to the adjoining parish of Criggion. In the borough of Welshpool map of the year 1818 it is said to lie outside the limits of the borough (which otherwise take in the entire civil larish of Trewei-n), the barony of Powis, and the diocese of St. Asaph. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEET. 31 Parish of DAROWEN. Division la (Tumuli). 156. Bwlch Gelli Las (at lat. 52° 36' 43", long. 3° 44' 22", but not marked on 6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.). Owner, Mr. J. M. Howell, Plas pen helyg, Aberdovey ; occupier, Mr. Richard Jones. This tumulus stands on the highest point of Bwlch gelli las, on the farm of Cefn coch gwyllt, and to the south of the farmstead. In circumference it measures 120 feet, its diameter over the summit is 35 feet, and its greatest height is 5 feet. Mr. John M. Jones, brother to the occupier, who has personal knowledge of the tumulus for over 40 years, states that it is to-day " as it has always been during that time, and no one has dug into it." The summit has been disturbed by sheep, probably to a depth of 9 inches. A writer in Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 194, observes of this tumulus that it " has been razed down within 3 or 4 feet of the surface, so that the stones pitched within are now visible; whether the contents have been rifled is not clear."— Visited, 9th June, 1910. Division Ic (Meini Hirion). 157. Garreg Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 26", long. 3° 47' 36"). Owner, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, the Plas, Machynlleth; occupier, Mr. John Roberts. A monolith, not noticed upon the Ordnance sheet, placed about half a mile south of Llanwrin, on a held belonging to Fronwen farm, just above Cwm Ager. Tithe Schedule, No. 40, where the field is called Cae y garreg lwyd. The stone is 40 feet in girth, the highest point being 7 feet 6 inches above ground, and sloping due east to 3 feet 6 inches above the surface. — Visited, 27th April, 1910. 158. Maen Llwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 23", long. 3° 43' 50"). " In the parish of Darowen is the township of Noddfa, the name of which implies a place of refuge or a sanctuary, its limits being probably described by tliree stones — one called Carreg y Noddfa, standing about a mile to the east of the church, another large stone standing about one mile to the south of the church, and a smaller one about the same distance north-east of the church " (Lewis, Top. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.n. ' Darowen '). These stones, which may have served in medieval times to have marked off an area devoted to the right of sanctuary or some other ecclesiastical purpose, appear to be at present reduced to two in number. One is placed at the spot indicated above, at the cross roads \ mile of Talywern, and in the centre of the field called ' Cae yr hen eglwys,' ' old church field ' {see No. 164 below). The stone is of mountain grit, 6 feet above ground and 12 feet 6 inches in circumference. The farmstead is called Rhos Dyrnog,* and Arch. Camb., 1856, III, ii, 193, notes the presence of " two erect stones at Rhos Dyrnog," but the tenant of the neighbouring farm of Caerseddfan has always known of only one. It would, how- ever, appear that there nuist have been two stones in the field, as the Tithe Schedule, where the field is numbered 167, gives its name as ' Cae Meini Llwvdion.' — Visited, 27th May, 1910. 159. Maen Llwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 48-5", long. 3° 43' 10"). Owner, Mr. J. Evans, Fron y gog, Machynlleth ; occupier, Mr. John Morgan Jones, Cefn coch uchaf, Darowen. The second remaining sanctuary stone, and reputed to be the smallest of the three stones. Its height above the surface is 3 feet 9 inches, and its maximum cir- cumference is 7 feet 6 inches. — Visited, 27th Mav, 1910. * This appears on the Ordnance sheet as ' Rhos Drynog.' 32 HOT.*! COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOrTUSHIKE : Parish of DAROWEN. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 160. Fron Goch Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 49", long. 3*^ 44' 21")- Owner, Mr. C. H. Watson, Stone Castle, (ireenhithe, Kent (agents, Messrs. Ciillart, Machynlleth); occupier, Mr. (iriffith Breeze, Tan llan, Cemmes Road. A well-preserved earthwork, situate about | mile north-west of the Noddfa stone at Rhos Uyrnog. This camp inclines to an oval shape, being 600 feet in length by 300 feet in greatest breadth. The ramparts may be traced for the greater part, and are on the north some 10 feet high ; towards the south they have been somewhat obliterated by the removal of stone. The main entrance is on the north, on which side are somewhat indistinct evidences of extra outworks; there are signs of possibly a smaller entrance on the east. At the extreme west, and just within the ramparts is a well which is still frequented. — Visited, 8th June, 1910. Division III (Domestic Structures). 161. Abergwidol (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet. Mont. 26 N.W.; lat. 52^^ 36' 37' , long. 3° 47' 10"). Owner, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, the Plas, Machynlleth; occupier, ^Ir. Richard Pugh. An ancient house standing at the junction of the little river Gwidol (or Gwydol) with the Dovey. The older portion of the house and the oak-sided barn are of early 17th-century date; the newer part of the house facing the high road was erected a little over 100 years ago. The date 1693 appears on a pillar in the barn. The family of Pugh has been resident for two centuries. — Visited, 7th June, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 162. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.). Ded : St. Tudyr. Diocese of Bangor: archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Cyfeiliog; townships of Noddfa and Caerseddfan. The parish church is modern. A drawing of the vanished one is given in Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 185. The memorial brass to Theodore Morgan (d. 1627), formerly at the south-east end of the earlier church, and the small oaken Communion table, are preserved in the present building. The burial-ground is extensive. — Visited, 27th May, 1910. Division V (Miscellaneous). 163. Pont Dol Dwymyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.; lat. 52° 37' 36", long. 3° 44' 6"). This bridge over the river Twymyn which forms the boundary between the parishes of Darowen and Cemmes, consists really of three bridges side by side. The earliest of the three is an extremely narrow stone structure, the roadway of which is paved with flat stones yet in situ, but now covered over by the modern road; to this bridge, when it was necessary to widen it, probably early in the 19th century, an addition was made which now forms the middle of the present structure. The stones were, however, not bonded into the original structure. An old trackway leads from the river Dovey, over the early bridge, and on to Commins Coch. — Visited, 6th June, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 164. Cae yr hen Eglwys, ' Old Church Field ' (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 S.E. ; lat. 52° 35' 23", long. 3° 43' 50"). Owner, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, the Plas, Machynlleth ; occupier, Mr. Edward Hughes, Rhos Dyrnog, Cemmes Road. The field within which the larger of the two meini hirion called ' Cerrig Noddfa," ' sanctuary stones,' still stands (see No. 158). Mr. Edward Hughes, Rhos IJiVE.NTOUY OF TUE COUN'TY OF MO>JTGOMEttY. 33 Parish of DABOWEN. Dyrnog, who has 40 years' personal experience of the field, stated that when ploughing it about ten years ago, he struck on some masonry to the east of and very near the tnaen hir, and about 6 inches below the surface. He uncovered all he could trace, which then showed foundations of a solidly constructed building, 25 feet by 18 to 20 feet, with the foot-stone of a door, " very deeply foot-w-orn," in situ at the north corner. To the east of the foundation stones, and close to them, his plough struck a roughly circular boulder, beneath w-hich was an empty cavity, 2 feet wide by 3 feet deep. All the stones were removed and taken up, " so as to plough easier." Local tradition affirms an old church to have stood close to the sanctuary stone. — Visited, 27th May, 1910. 165. Bryn y Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 0", long. 3° 45' 7"). Owner, Mr. J. M. Howell, Aberdovey; occupier, Mr. Thomas Thomas. A farm about ^ mile east of Aber Cegir village, now known as Nant y gaseg, but in 1737 called Bryn y Castell, being one of the farms named in the list of appor- tionment of liability for the repair of the churchyard wall {Mont. Coll., 1893, xxvi, 123). The present house has a stone inscribed ' E. R. 1829.' The name of Bryn y Castell is now unknown, and there are no appearances to account for it. — Visited, 7th June, 1910. 166. Coeri Bryn crogwr ' Hangman's Hill Wood ' (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 13", long. 3° 44' 30"). In the year 1737, the farm of Bryn y Crogwr (novp razed, and its out- building ruined) is one of the farms named in the list of apportionment of liability for repair of the churchyard wall. The so-called ' Hangman's tree ' was felled within living memory. — Visited, 8th June, 1910. 167. Cae'r Orseddfan (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 S.W.; lat. 52° 34' 55", long. 3° 45' 45"). The name is probably a modern concoction. It appears as ' Caersewthan ' in the list drawn up in 1737 of the farms liable for the repair of the churchyard wall {Mont. Coll., 1893, xxvi, 123), and as ' Caerseddfan ' in the Tithe Map of 1845. Local tradition has it that " here the queen living at Maes Teran (a farm about h mile to the north-west) had her parliament." — Visited, 10th June, 1910. 168. Castell Cyfeiliog (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.; kt. 52° 36' 37", long. 3° 42'"^ 54"). Owner, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Wynnstay Park, Ruabon ; occupier, Mr. John W. Jones. A farm situate \ mile south-east of the sanctuary stone on Cef n coch uchaf ; on the old 1-inch Survey Map marked as ' Castell,' where also the adjoining wood Coed yr Allt is marked as ' Coed y Castell,' by which name it likewise appears on the Tithe Map. Pen craig mawr, the promontory close to the farmhouse, overlooking towards the north-east the valley of the Twymyn, has, within the last 30 years, been quarried for slate, which has probably destroyed " one apartment still to be traced by its foundations, 33 feet in length by 27 feet in depth. The present tenants heard that some of the walls were taken dow'n and the stones used in buildings on the farm " {Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 195). The last tenant, Mr. Richard Jones, now retired and resident at Darowen, after a quarter of a century's farming of Castell Cyfeiliog, has no remembrance of ever having seen the " foundations," alluded to by his immediate predecessor on the farm. — Visited, 9th June, 1910. 169. Cae y Garreg Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, IMont. 26 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 10". long. 3° 42' 38"). Owner, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, the Plas, Machynlleth; occupier, Mr. Richard Jones, Wenallt. A field on the farm of Wenallt. Tithe Schedule, No. 207. This field up to a few years ago had on it " a large 10-ton flat stone," which was blow-n to pieces to be out of the way of the plough. It was " a natural, unhewn stone, low on the ground," as described by Mr. Richard Hughes, Caerseddfan. — Visited, 27th May, 1910. E 34 KOYAL fOMMIS.SIOX OX AXCIKXT MOXl MKXTS IX WALKS AND MOXMOVTUSHIRE : Parish of DASOWEN. 170. Cae y Garreg Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 S.W.; lat. 52° 35' 27", long. 3" 46' 28j'). Owner, Lord Herbert \ane Tempest; occupier, Mr. Lewis Pugh. A field on the farm of Maes Teran, and bordering on Ffridd Wyllt. Here is a small grey stone or boulder, 3 feet above ground and 12 feet in girth, which, it is said locally, "was pitched there by the strong man from Cader Idris.'" — Visited, 7th June, 1910. 171. MeinI gwynion (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 49-5", long. 3° 42' 27"). A house so-called, by Brynawel Chapel, nearly 1| miles south-east of Cemmes Road station, off the road from Machynlleth to Newtown ; probably from natural appearances. — Visited, 27th May, 1910. Division VII (Finds). 172. A celt is said (Camden's Britannia, ed. Gibson, 1695, plate xx. No. 13; quoted in Mo7it. Coll., 1870, iii, 436) to have been found on ' Moel yr Henblys ' — a name seemingly now unknown in this parish. 173. Several bronze ornaments, and a celt, found on a sheep-walk of Berllandeg farm (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 19", long. 3° 44' 30"), were in the collection of the Rev. Issac Konsall, a former rector. His grandson, Mr. Henry Bonsall, Pendibyn, Llanbadarn fawr, reports that "'this very valuable collection of ancient relics got lost, stolen or .strayed " at the auction of his grand- father's effects. Parish of FORDEN. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division C (Roman Camps). 174. Y Gaer or Caer Flos (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 S.E. ; lat. 52° 34' 54", long. 3° 10' 8"). Owner, Mr. H. R. E. Harrison; occupier, Mr. Thomas Williams. A Roman military station in the valley of the Severn, half-a-mile north of Montgomery station on the Cambrian Railways. It is situated on the Gaer farm, partially in a field bounded by the main road and partially in the held adjoining, the rough hedge between the fields cutting it into two almost equal parts. The enclosure is nearly square, measuring from the middle of the rampart, 500 feet from north to south, and 570 feet from east to west. It thus occupies an area of about 6^ acres. It is surrounded by a vallum that at the present time stands from four to six feet high, is about three feet in wddth at the crest, and falls away externally at a gentle slope for a distance of from ten to twenty feet. The drop on the inner side is almost perpendicular. The corners are well marked, especially the north-western, which is not of the sharp angle that it is made to appear upon the Ordnance sheet. Midway in the northern and southern ramparts are the north and south gateways. It is said in Mont. Coll., 1884, xvii, 106, that in an estate map of the year 1783, " the road from Forden is shown to run through the camp where the north and south entrances are marked," a line which is now followed by the hedge already referred to. There are no indications of openings upon the eastern and western sides. The camp seems to be undisturbed, and there is no record of any find of Roman objects made wnthin it or in the immediate vicinity. Roads must have centred here, and there are said to have been plain indications at various spots in the neighbourhood of paved ways directed towards the camp ; the evidence of place-names also is not wanting, but no visible appearances are now discernible. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 35 Parish of FOSDXN. A few yards from the south-western corner is a huge boulder of conglomerate. The field within which it stands is called upon the Tithe map, the " Hoar stone " field. This term usually signifies a bomidary stone, but, so far as appears, the stone in Fig. 11.— FORDEN: THE GAER— GAER FLOS (Ko. 174); plan. question stands upon no boundary line, nor do the ramparts of the camp align with any recorded territorial limits. Mont. Coll., 1884, xvii, 105, with plan. — Visited, 24th June, 1909. Division II (E.^rthworks), sub-division E (Xorm.\n-Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 175. The Gaer, Nant y Cribbau 52° 36' 18", long. 3° 7' 35"). Robert Roberts. (6 in. Old. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.E.; lat. Owner, Mr. John Murray Naylor; occupier, Mr. An earthwork built upon and around a sharp conical rock, which, towards the east, has been blasted away by quarrying operations, and now drops precipitously quite 100 feet. The rock falls away on the south and west sides, and on these earth was imposed, making the whole mass a more or less symmetrical sugar-loaf of about 120 feet from the bottom of the surrounding moat. The summit has a diameter of 26 feet from north to south. The lower portion of the rock has been much dis- integrated by blasting. The moat has also been disturbed, and some features that 23oint to the position of the crossing-place may be due to industrial operations. The fosse is surrounded by a low bank, and about 80 feet away are an outer dyke and ditch which completely surrounded the whole. Pennant visited this place about the year 1780; he says that "a few years" prior to that date "on taking away the top (of the mound) were discovered the remains of a little fort." Tours (1784), 381 ; (1810) iii, 199; ed. Rhys, iii, 188. There are no signs of any masonn-, and, explicit as Pemiant is in speaking of a "great conoid rock," there can be little doubt that he confused his notes of the mound with those of the closely adjoining moated-house site (see The Moat, below). E2 o(i ItOYAI, COMMISSION" ox .ANCIENT MOXCMEXTS IX WALES AND MOXMOUTHSUIRE : Parish of FORDEN. The iiioiiiul is placed within 500 yards of the angle made by the junction of Wropton township with the townships of Eddeiton and Kilkewydd, and just insitle the former: Offa's Dyke runs 100 yards to the west of it; and within half-a-mile in a south-easterlv direction is the historic ford of Khvd y Groes over the Camlad. h'uiit. Coll., 1884, xvii, 112, with plan.— Visited, I'rttli duly, 1909. 170. Lower Munlyn Farm* (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.E. ; lat. 52° 36' 2", lorfg. 3^ 9' 55"). Owner, Mr. 11. R. E. Harrison; occupier, Mr. Richard Hughes. A quite unmistakable mound-and-bailey castle, but described upon the Ord- nance sheet as a " tumulus." The entire earthwork has an E.N.E. by W.N.W. ilircction, and lies paiallel with the river Severn. The ground along the river is Hat and low, but at this point, at a disUince of about 50 yards from the river, it rises to a small plateau, upon the edge of which acclivity the earthwork is placed. The mound is stationed at the northern end, practically within the modern farmyard, rising to a height of about 60 feet from the level. Its summit is flat, and of larger area than usual, the diameter from N.E. to S.W. being about 50 feet, so far as the dense tangle of brambles permitted of its measurement. It was surrounded by a fosse, which, however, has disappeared on the side next the farm buildings, but is very perceptible on its other sides. The outer defence is to the S.W., and consists of an irregular platform, which, at the corner overlooking the river, assumes the character of a subordinate mound rising from the fosse to a height of 12 feet, and broadening out into an uneven platform. The outer side of this lower mound is scarped, the slope terminating in something like a narrow berm, and beyond this is a sharp drop to low and level ground. The entire site widened out toward the base, and the fosse encircled the whole. The entrance was at the south-eastern angle, probably leading from an outer bailey, but of the latter there are now no indications. A ford across the Severn formerly existed at this point. — Visited, 11th October, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division F (Homestead Moats). 177. The Moat, Naiit y Cribbau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 15", long. 3° 7' 13"). Immediately to the west of the mount castle already described (No. 175), and within a few yards of the modern farmhouse of Nant y Cribbau, is a rectangular enclosure, 180 feet by 120 feet, isolated from tlie surrounding land by a moat still filled with water. There are no traces of buildings. It was probably the site of the medieval house of Nant y Cribbau. — Visited, 28th July, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 178. Offa's Dyke (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 24 S.W., 30 N.E., and 30 S.E.). The dyke enters the parish of Forden from that of Leighton, and, as it passed through Leighton park, forms the boundary between the two parishes for a short distance. It inclines to the S.S.W. in its course through Forden parish, passing within three hundred feet west of the Moated Mound of Nant y Cribbau (No. 175). It is here in excellent preservation, and occasionally serves as a field boundary. It alters its direction slightly so as to take an almost directly southerly course, and with a trend to the east heads for the Camlad brook, the boundary between the parishes of Forden (Wales) and Chirbury (England), forming a limit to fields throughout its subsequent course. It will be described as a whole at a later stage. *o^ Division III (Domestic Structures). 179. Gunley Hall (Bin. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 31 N.W.). A house which, though largely modernised, contains some ancient features. Once the residence of the Prices of Gunley. * " Manlvn." which is the local pronunciation and spelling, appears on the Ord. sheet as *' Min-v-llin." The form e-iven in the Tithe Schedule of 1840 is " Munlin." INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOilERY. 37 Parish of FORDEN. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 180. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.E.). Ded : St. Michael. Diocese of Hereford ; archdeaconry of Ludlow ; rural-deanery of Montgomery ; townships of Forden, Woodluston, Hem, Wropton, Edderton, Kilkewydd, Ackley, Lletty gynfor, Thornbury, Munlyn. The present church is a structure built in 1865 upon a different site from that of the edifice which it replaced, and all its appointments are modern. " There is nothing left to mark the site of the old church, and the spot where the chancel is believed to have stood is at present very desolate.. It lies to the south of the new church, and, since the demolition of the old church immediately after the consecration of the new one, has nothing to define its precise boundaries. . . . Every year makes it more difficult to ascertain the exact locality of the old chancel. It has been attempted to set it out three times, but each time the boundaries have varied. . . . It is nmch to be regretted that the old chancel was not scrupulously marked out and enclosed when the old walls were taken down, and, moreover, that the tablets and other mementoes of the departed dead were not preserved, instead of being (as they were with one exception) given un as the perquisite of the contractor " (' Historv of the Parish of Forden' in Mont. Coll., 1883, xvi, 197).— Visited, 11th October, 1909. Division V (Miscellaneous — Holy Wells). 181. Holy Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.E.). A holy well is mentioned in Mont. Coll., 1882, xv, 163, as situated " on the way to Cwm farm," about 250 yards south of the vicarage ; and it is stated that pilgrimages were made to it. A spring still exists, but there is now no well. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 182. Rhyd Whimiiia (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 S.E.; lat. 52° 34' 40", long. 3° 10' 6"). ' The Ford of Montgomery,' the frequent meeting-place on the banks of the Severn of the emissaries of the kings of England and the princes of Wales in the 13th century. Probably the scene of bishop Swinfield's dramatic assertion of the extent of his diocese in the dispute respecting the boundaries of the dioceses of Hereford and St. Asaph.* 183. Hhyd y Groes (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 N.E.; lat. 52° 35' 55". long. 3° 6' 38"). ' The Ford of the Cross,' over a small stream which constitutes the boundary between the townships of Ackley and Wropton. The close of Rhyd y Groes in Ackley is the subject of a suit in the Court of Exchequer of the 17th Chas. I., 1642, Trinity term, m. 26rf {Mont. Coll., 1891, xxiv, 152), and it is again mentioned in a deed of 33 Chas. II., 1682. The Rhyd y Groes of the romantic medieval story, ' The Dream of Rhonabwy,' is placed upon the Severn. The writer of the Notes in Lady C. Guest's edition of the Mabinogion (1841) ii, 427; (1877) 321, identifies the Rhyd y Groes of the story with a ford near the fall of the Rhiw into the Severn. t The name was doubtess fairly common in the middle ages. * " The true and ancient boundary of the dioceses [of Hereford and St. Asaph] was now determined to be the filiim, or mid-stream, of the Severn, from the ford called Rhydwymma, where the river divided the lands of Sir Reginald de Montg-omery from those of Sir Peter Corbet of Caus, to the ford of Shrawai-din. The day after this award was made, Swinfield came to Chirbury ; and on "iSth November, St. Catherine's Day. he entered ou horseback the ford of Rhydwymma to the middle of the river, and thus took possession of all places and hills within the bank assigned to him, with all the episcopal offices pertaining thereto." (Thomas, Hist. Bloc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 44, quoting Swinfield's Household Boll (Camden Soc), pp. 7S-79.) t Another antiquary, Mr. Pryee Buckley Williams, of Pencant, editor of the Cambrian Quarterly Magazine (1829-33), writing to tlie Rev. Walter Uavies on the 7th .lanuary, 1841. says: — "Of course yon know that the ford of ^lontgomery is close by a farm house called Rhyd Women (what ' women ' is I leave you to judge — no doubt it is some corruption) ; there is an old lane, or rather there was one which was stopped up by the late Probert, going direct from Rhyd Women to Rhyd y Groes. a distance of some three miles " (Unpublished Coirespondence of the Rev. Walter Davies in the National Library of Wales). 38 KOYAL COXIMISSIO.V OX AXCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOrXHSHIEE : Parish of FORDEN. Division VII (Finds). 184. Querns. * A pair found at Hem Bank ; now in the Welshpool Museum. Parish of GARTHBEIBIO. Division la (Tumuli). 185. Foel Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 275", long. 3° 29' 53"). This tumulus is situate in Cae Ervvyd, not far from the site of the cairn removed about the year 1790. It is now covered with turf, and two hawthorn bushes grow on its suiniuit. Its circumference at the base line is about 130 feet, and it has a maximum height of 5 feet 6 inches. In the winter of 1909-10, an opening was made into the cairn on the north side, with the intention of altogether removing the mound, but the work was abandoned. Four large unhewn stones were uncovei'cd, and yet remain on the excavated portion. One of them is said to have been found " on its edge." The exposed section shows the mound to be largely constructed of water-worn stones, probably drawn from the bed of the river Banw which bounds one side of the field. — Visited, 18th July, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 186. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.). Ded : St. Tydecho. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Caereinion ; townships of Garthbeibio, Moelfeliarth, Maesllymystyn. A church that was effectually restored in 1862. There are no ancient features of interest in the fabric. The font is octagonal, and of 15th-century date. " In the old church there were some curious oak carvings, which are now in possession of the rector " ('A History of the Parish of Garthbeibio ' in Mo?it. Coll., 1873, vi, 20; reprinted in The works of the Her. Griffith Edwards, p. 53). The plate of the old sundial is in the vestry. — Visited, 22nd June, 1910. Thomas. Hist. Dioc. St. Asnj)h, 1908, i, 467; Glynne, 'Notes,' Arch. Camh., 1885, V, ii, 37. An inventory of the registers, church plate and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Dec. 1906, x'xxiv, 222. Division V (Miscellaneous — Wells). 187. St. Tydecho's Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.). This is now filled up, and the water diverted to a drain which runs down to the high road below St. Tydecho's church. " There was once an image of the saint's head, in stone, placed at the northern side of the well; but some vandals, having no regard for remains of antiquity, nor even respect for common decency, threw it away; and the last heard of it was as a plaything on the side of the river among some children, who, in the end, threw it in, and no more was heard of it " (Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 13). Parishioners yet survive who remember persons coming to bathe in this well, which was of reputed efficacy for the cure of rheumatism. — Visited, 22nd July, 1910. * The late Rev. R. J. Harrison, vicar of Forden, speaking at the annnal meeting of the Powysland Clnb, on the 4th October, 1870, said " Some year.o ago a great mass of earth fell suddenly in my pari.sh, in the Lower Hem Bank, Forden, and killed two men. I subsequently visited the spot and ascertained the cause of the accident, which appear.s to have arisen from the men having cut into an ancient grave. In the grave there were a couple of querns, and between these querns there was an urn, which was missing. I immediately secured the querns and asked the men who were working there whether there was not an urn, and if so what they had done with it. The men said there was something — an old pot or something of the sort. ' What have you done with it ? ' I asked. ' Oh I ' they answered, ' we broke it in bits and chucked it on the cart. It wasn't good for anything; it was only full of ashes'" (Mont. Coll., 1870, XX vi) INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 39 Parish of GARTHBEIBIO. 188. Ffynnon Ddu (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 41", long. 3° 29' 54"). An ancient well on the right side of Wtra Ddu, the narrow pitched lane leading to St. Tydecho's church.— Visited, 26th July, 1910. 189. Ffynnon RhigOS (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.). A spring of very cold water, near to St. Tydecho's well. Formerly of repute " in healing the eyes." The water, sweetened with sugar, used to be drunk by the parishioners upon certain feasts. — Visited, 26th July, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 190. Cae'r Dentyr Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.). A cairn formerly stood in a field called Cae'r Dentyr, near the turnpike road, and not far from Pont Twrch at Foel village. " This was demolished, and most of the materials were used in making the Foel bridge, and the new road leading to it, about the year 1790. There were some remains of this to be seen until of late years. A stone chest was found in this, but it had been robbed of its contents by the curiosity of previous visitors. The lid of it had been thrown aside, and the chest was filled with loose stones and rubbish " ('A History of the Parish of Garthbeibio ' in Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 12; reprinted in The works of the Rev. Griffith Edwards, p. 45). The site is still known, but no stones now remain on it. — Visited, 19th July, 1910. 191. Bwlch y Fedwen Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 12 S.E.). This cairn " on the top of Bwlch y Fedwen, near the road which leads to Mallwyd," was demolished in the year 1833. It is described as "of considerable size, and conical in form, its height being about 4 or 5 yards, and its circumference about 60 yards," and it is added that " the stones were used to make a wall between the farms of Dol y maen and Cae'r lloi ; and the wall extends to nearly half a mile. There was nothing found inside it " (Mont. Coll., as above). The site, it is said, is yet known locally. 192. Mawnog Cerrig y Groes (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 12 N.E.; lat. 52° 43' 11", long. 3° 33' 32"). A peat bog or turbary south of Moel y Llyn ; about | mile south-east of Llech- wedd Sarnau. One of the many names in this parish into which enters the word ' Croes.' It has been suggested that they mark the sites of resting and praying stations on the way to the parent church at Llanymawddwy, when Garthbeibio was not a separate parish. — Visited, 23rd July, 1910. 193. LIuest y Groes (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 N.W. ; lat. 52° 43' 19", long. 3° 31' 34"). A field 2\ miles north-west of St. Tydecho's church. Tithe Schedule, No. 49. 194. Del y maen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 12 S.E.; lat. 52° 42' 35", long. 3° 33' 56"). A farm-house situate north of Pont Dol y maen, on the road from Welshpool to Machynlleth, between the 20th and 21st milestones. The old mansion, which was the residence of a branch of the Vaughans of Llwydiarth, was taken down about half a century ago, and the present farm-house built on its site. The front garden yet retains a few trees on which is topiary work. — Visited, 23rd July, 1910. 195. Rhos Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 42' 7", long. 3° 31' 47"). A field on the farm of Wern. Tithe Schedule, No. 469. There are now no signs of ancient remains. — Visited, 19th July, 1910. 40 ROYAI. COMMISSION 0.\ ANCIENT MONUMENTS IX WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE; Paiisli of GARTHBEIBIO. 196. Maen Llwyd (« in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.: lat. 52° 41' 34", long, 3= 30' 0"). A stony field, about 250 yards south-east of St. Tydecho's Church. An immense stone called ' Y Maen Llwyd ' formerly stood in this field, but was broken up about half a centurv a<,'o to build a wall (Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 328). Tithe Schedule, No. 365.— Visited, 19th July, 1910. 197. Llechwecid Sarnau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet. Mont. 12 X.E.; lat. 52° 43' 30", long. 3° 34' 45"). At the source of Nant Cerrig y Groes, about 1^ miles north of the 21st mile- stone from Welshpool to Machynlleth. There is no appearance of a paved or pitched roadway. — Visited, 23rd July, 1910. 198. Carneddau'r Gwragbdd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 7 S.E.). ' The graves of the women ' : three cairns high up on the hills near the boundary of the parish of Llanymawddwy, not marked on the Ordnance sheet. " When (iarthbeibio was a chapel of ease to Llanymawddwy, three women started to walk to the mother church one Sunday morning in winter to be churched. But when they reached the height of the mountain a snow storm came on and enveloped them in darkness; and when a search was made for them, the three were found dead on the spot where these barrows were raised to commemorate the melancholy event, and to denote the spot where their mortal remains found a last resting place" {Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 12). Tx'adition adds that the barrows were raised by the women of this and the adjoining parishes, who collected the stones in their aprons, and carried them to the spot. Parish of GUILSFIELD WITHIN. DnusiON II (Earthworks), sub-division F (Homestead Moats). 199. The Moat (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E. ; lat. 52° 41' 38", long. 3° 9' 3"). A good example of the moated enclosure. The moat is still filled with water upon three sides, and the present dwelling doubtless occupies the original site, but the sluggish stream has been diverted upon the side nearest the house, and the original arrangements altered. The enclosure is nearly square, with a diameter of 77 yards.— Visked, 29th July, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 200. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E.). Ded : St. Aelhaiarn. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Pool; townships (in Guilsfield Within) of Guilsfield or Llan, Garth (part of), Trelydan, (iungrog Fechan, and Llannerch Frochwel (part of); (in Guilsfield Without) Hendre Hen and Tr^twscoed, Garth (part of), Llannerch Frochwel (part of), Tir y mynach, Burgedin, Rhydescin, Varchoel, Broniarth Upper and Lower. The church consists of chancel, nave with north and south aisles, clumsy western tower with diminutive spire, and south porch with chamber above. It was well restored in 1879. The nave piers have clustered shafts of late Decorated character. The roof was originally of the usual open style, but in the Perpendicular period a fine flat panelled roof was commenced beneath, but only completed over the chancel and two bays of the nave. The font is of the loth century. The church chest has been hollowed from a single tree. During the restoration some wall inscriptions were revealed, tracings of which are in the Welshpool Museum. — Visited, 29th July, 1909. Thomas, Hist. Dice. St. Asaph (1874), 733; Glynne, 'Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1885, V, ii, 37. There is an inventory of the registers, communion plate, and parochial documents in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 67. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF ilONTGOilERY. 41 Parish of GUILSFIELD WITHIN. Division VI (Sites of Histokic or Antiquarian Interest). 201. Maes y Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E.; lat. 52° 41' 33", long. 3° 10' 26'). A field so called in the Tithe Schedule, No. S3. 202. Little Abbey Meadow (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 S.W. ; lat. .52° 41' 34", long. 3° 5' 57"). A close vdthin a bend of the Severn, about half-a-mile north of the site of Strata Marcella abbey. 203. Cloddiau Cochion (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.E.). The earthworks which are suggested by the name may have had no archaeo- logical significance. The house of Cloddiau Cochion was the residence of a well- known Quaker family, and the remains of the small Friends' burial ground are close by. 204. Gungrog (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.E.). As ' Argyngroec ' it appears in the medieval tale of ' Rhonabwy's Dream.' 205. Ysgubor fawr, now Dyos or Dyer's Farm, Port Quay (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 S.W.). A grange of Strata Marcella abbey. 206. Y Groes Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E.). A hamlet half-a-mile west of Guilsfield, called in the Ministers' Account of Strata Marcella abbey ' The Holy Cross in Strata ^larcella.' Division VII (Finds). Stone Age. 207. Celt — stone, found at Gungrog. In the Welshpool Museum. Medieval. 208. Heraldic tile, l^earing three chevronels ; found during the restoration of the church. In the Welshpool Museum. 209. Processional Cross, discovered in April, 1873, " whilst a grave was being dug in the west side of the churchyard of the parish of Guilsfield." Of brass, and show- ing indications of having been gilt. Bears on one side a representation of the Crucifixion. Fourteenth century. In the Welshpool Museum. Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 407, with illustration. Parish of GUILSFIELD WITHOUT. Division II (E.a.rthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 210. Broniarth Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.W. ; lat. 52° 41' 49", long. 3° 14' 29"). A small camp occupying a strong position at the southern tennination of Broniarth Hill, 900 feet above sea level. The camp is a fairly regular square of 50 yards each way, and consists of interior and exterior ramparts, with intervening ditch, the excavation of which has provided the low banks. The surface is a saucer- like but uneven depression, from the centre of which nothing can be seen, but from the margins of the camp a wide prospect is obtained. The banks and ditch are not F 42 HOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of OUILSFIELD WITHOUT. continuous, and the whole work seems to have been hastily thrown up, and not com- pleted. It can have served no purpose except that of a look-out post, for which it is adinirahlv placed. It is known locally as ' The Soldiers' Ring.' — Visited, 8th April. 1910. 211. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.W. ; lat. 52° 41' 19", long. 3° 14' 32"). A camp on the eastern slopes of Clawdd Wood, about half-a-mile direct south of the camp on IJroniarth Hill {So. 210), which is in full view, and with Clawdd Llesg (No. 217) almost exactly mid- way (though very slightly to the west) between both camps. The structure is placed upon a tongue of land running almost directly east and west, starting at the eastern -end at the level of the surrounding ground, but, while itself keeping fairly level, the ground on both sides, and especially that to the northward, drops sharply to the bottom of a deep ravine. The southern, which is the more level side, has long been arable, and the defences have almost entirely disappeared. On the northern side the ground has been scarped for a depth of from 12 to 20 feet, but there has been no attempt to hollow out the ground for a ditch; it has simply been left as a platform. This platform terminates at tlie edge of the ravine, and the end of a similar platform on the southern side which has not been cleared away, shows the defence on this side to have been similar to that on the other. The platform was not extended round the western end of the camp, which had an unbroken and almost perpendicular fall of about 200 feet. There ace no indications of protecting banks or ramparts. The entrance must have been at the eastern end. — Visited, 8th April, 1910. 212. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 44", long. 3° 13' 35"). Owner, Miss 1'revor; occupier, Mr. Henn- Griffiths, Clawdd Llesg Farm. A small and much deroded camp placed on the summit of a little eminence, and in a wood that is part of the farm of Y Clawdd Llesg. The north-western angle, and a few yards of bank on the northern and western sides, are the only fea- tures now discernible. It is probable that the camp was never completely enclosed b)' banks. The ground is uneven, rising towards the south to a tiny mound, but there are no defences of any sort on the south and east sides of the hill. — Visited, 9th April, 1910. 213. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 22 N.E. ; lat. 52° 40' 30", long. 3° 15' 26"). A tine camp on the farm of Cefn du, in the western part of the Maesmawr estate, and upon the borders of the parishes of Meifod and Castle Caereinion. It is placed at an altitude of nearly 700 feet above Ordnance datum, but owing to the broken nature of the surrounding country its range of view is not extensive. The camp occupies almost the entire summit of a narrow eminence, running in a north- easterly direction for a distance of about 500 yards, and having nowhere a breadth of more than 80 yards. The south-western termination of the hill drops abruptly, but the north-eastern end is prolonged, until it dies away into the gradually rising ground around. The long southern slope falls sharply for about 300 feet, and on this side the camp was impregnable. The slope to the north is more gentle. The .shape of the camp is a long oval, much narrowed at the ends. Each terminal is cut off from the main body of the camp by deep cross-cuts; at the north-eastern end there are three, constituting small enclosures that it would be necessary to carry before the main enclosure was reached. The ditches are all of about the same depth, from 8 to 12 feet on the inner side, and about half that distance on the counterscarp. Their ■vvidth, about 15 feet at the level, is also uniform throughout. The cross-cut at the north-eastern end of the camp keeps close to the summit line, until at a distance oi 18 yards it swerves out to avoid the second cut. This second ditch is continued along the northern slope as an inner defence, the former ditch taking a wider sweep at a maximum distance of about 30 yards below the inner ditch. Fifteen yards from the second cross-cut is a third of similar construction. Within this the main camp now commences, and continues along the summit for 90 yards, vdth a maximum width of from 20 to 24 yards. At that distance, the inner rampart sweeps round and closes in the main camp with a cross-cut at the south-western point, similar in all respects to the traverses at the other end of the camp. The outer ditch also sweeps roimd at a distance of 24 yards beyond the inner ditch. At this end, however, there are only I>'VEKTOIlY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 43 Parish of GUILSFIELD WITHOUT. two traverses, whereas at the north-eastern end there are three. The earth exca- vated from the cross-cuts has at all points been utilised to heighten the ramparts and form mounds on the inner side of the ditches. There is no entranceway left across the two ditches at the southern end, but an entrance is carried over the three ditches at the northern end. In no instance, however, do the ramparts curve in upon themselves, and the entrances are direct. There are no signs of hut dwellings, nor of v.-ater, but a depression at the foot of the south-western end of the hill may- betoken a dried-up pool or spring. The ditches are well constructed ; the inner is so slightly depressed as to be practically no more than a platform for much of its length. The camp has many of the characteristics of the great defensive works like the Ffridd at Montgomery and Gaer Fawr at Guilsfield, but its details show none of the complexity that distinguishes those examples. — Visited, 7th April, 1910. 214. The Gaer, or Y Gaer Fawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E. ; lat. 52° 42' 32", long. 3° 8' 55"). Owner, Major G. H. Mytton, Garth, Guilsfield. A large camp about three miles N.N.W. of the town of Welshpool, stationed upon the summit of a hill that reaches 700 feet at the highest point within the camp. The hill commands the plain of the Severn, and has a wide and uninterrupted n: Scale jsod joo ace 300 Ai spcFt soc. Fig. 12.— guilsfield WITHOUT: GAER FAWR (No. 214); plan. prospect over the flat district of north-west Shropshire. The camp has many points of correspondence with that of The Ffridd at Montgomery, with which it should be carefully compared. The summit is fairly flat for a space of 1,000 feet in length and 370 feet in breadth, which constitutes the area of the camp proper. A sharp fall in level to the north-west divides the interior into two almost equal parts ; and of this drop, which becomes more pronounced from north to south, advantage has been taken torun a bank along almost its entire margin, and to strengthen it on the outer side with a formidable fosse. This bank senes as a traverse in the direction of the length of the camp, and not, as is more usual, across the breadth. At an average distance of thirty yards from the traverse run the circumvallations. On the western side are three ramparts with their corresponding ditches, but the more precipitous slope to the east called for only two linos of defence. The entrances are at the north F2 44 ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTUSIIIEE : Parish of GUILSFIELD WITHOUT. and south ends respectively, tlie latter being similar in plan to the south entrance of the Montgomery Ffridd.-Visited, 29th July, 1909. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 336, with plan; repeated in September, 1899, xxxi, 165. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division F (Homestead Moats). 215. The Moat l6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 S.W.; iat. 52^ 42' 27", long. 3° 5' 28"). A portion of the meadow ground on the left btink of the Severn, opposite Bank Farm and to the east of the Cambrian Railway line, so called upon the Tithe Map of 1840 (No. 155) where it cleai'ly represents a moated enclosure. There is now no indication of its original character. — Visited, 28th April, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified — Dykes). 216. Earthwork (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.W.; Iat. 52° 41' 12", long. 3° 13' 31"). An earthen dyke on the farm of Bwlch Aeddan, which appears to have been continued across the neck of the pass, and to have its southern termination in what is called in the Tithe Schedule (No. 325) ' The Camp Ridge Plantation.' The dyke is now hardly discernible. — Visited, 8th April, 1910. 217. Clawcld Llesg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.W.; Iat. 52° 41' 33", long. 30 14/ 49//) A much dilapidated earthen bank running athwart a small rounded ridge of ground lying between tw^o tiny watercourses. Its Course is nearly north and south, and its extent is 200 yards. There is no ditch. — Visited, 8th April, 1910. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 296, where the writer suggests that the correct form should be Clawdd Eliseg, from its assumed constructor, an early prince of Powys. Division V (Miscellaneous — Holy Wells). 218. Trinity Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E.; Iat. 52° 42' 31", long. 3° 9' 21"). Owner, Major G. H. Mytton, Garth, Guilsfield On the western slopes of Gaer Fawr Hill, and a few yards east of GwTciddin Lane, the name here taken by the ancient road called ' The Street ' (No. 230) a short distance higher up its course. The well is still frequented on Trinity Sunday. — Visited, 26th April, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 219. Maes y Garreg wen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.E.; Iat. 52° 43' 11", long. 3° 10' 3"). A field on Yew Tree farm, in the township of Broniarth. Tithe Schedule, No. 736. 220. Garn Fawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E. ; Iat. 52° 42' 27", long. 3° 6' 29"). A field in the township of Tir y Mynach. Tithe Schedule, No. 373. 221. Cil y maen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.W.; Iat. 52° 42' 33", long. 3° 12' 26"). Occupier, Mr. David Benbow, Pant Glas. A small close on the farm of Pant Glas, sq called in the Tithe Schedule, No. 395. There are indications of the existence of buildings. — Visited, 9th April, 1910. INVENTORT OF THE COtTN'TT OF MONTGOMEET . 45 Parish of GTIILSFIELD WITHOUT. 222. Garreg Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.E.; lat. 52° 43' 36" and 42", long. 3° 9' 5" and 3° 8' 58"). Two farmsteads called Garreg Lwyd, 500 yards south of ' the Holy Well ' (No. 772) in the parish of Meifod. Tithe Schedule,' Xos. 520 and 523. 223. Cae y Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.E.; lat. 52° 43' 43", long. 3° 8' 6"). Tithe Schedule, No. 597. 224. Maes y Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E.; lat. 52° 41' 46", long. 3° 10' 33"). Tithe Schedule, No. 35. 225. Cae Sarn, and Cae bach y Sarn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E. ; lat. 52° 42' 9" and 13", long. 3° 8' 55" and 50"). Two fields, the first abutting on the ancient road called at intervals ' The Street ' (No. 230), and with its southern apex upon Sarn Bridge (over the tiny stream, the Bele); the second field to the north-west of and adjoining the first. Tithe Schedule, Nos. 242 and 243. 226. Sarn meadow (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E.; lat. 52° 41' 58", long. 3° 9' 5"). A meadow (Tithe Schedule, No. 146) to the south of the preceding fields, on the northern marge of the brook Bele. 227. Abbey Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.E.; lat. 52° 43' 15", long. 3° 10' 3"). The well is situate in the township of Broniarth, and doubtless upon property once belonging to the neighbouring abbey of Strata Marcella, though no abbey lands are specified in that township in the first Ministers' Account after the Dissolution. The third field east of the well (lat. 52° 43' 15", long. 3° 9' 50") is called ' The Abbey Meadow ' in the Tithe Schedule (No. 788). 228. Castle Hill (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.E.; lat. 52° 43' 4", long. 3° 9' 25"). A farm so named (Tithe Schedule, No. 469), but there is now no appearance of any defensive structure. The field immediately to the east of the farmstead, and abutting upon Castle Hill Lane, is called in the Tithe Schedule (No. 466), 'Cae Llewelyn.' 229. Cobham's Garden (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.W. ; lat. 52° 41' 47", long. 3° 14' 46' ). Owner, Lord Harlech, Brogyntyn, Oswestry; occupier, Mr. David Jones, Maes gwyn, Guilsfield. An enclosure of a little over two acres, traditionally believed to be the scene of the capture of the Lollardist leader, Sir John Oldcastle, lord Cobham, in the year 1417. It is at the foot of the southern termination of Bi-oniarth Hill. — Visited, 8th April, 1910. 230. Ancient Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.E.; lat. 52° 43' 0", long. 3° 9' 42"). A line of road, called ' The Street ' at the point indicated on the Ordnance sheet. In a north-westerly direction it is continued through Trefnanney township of Meifod parish, into the parish of Llansantfiraid Deuddwr where it strikes the river Vymwy at a place called Pen sarn. South-eastwards it passes through Trelydan township where it is " wide, and presents a raised appearance." It is said to cross 46 ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTH SIIIHE : Parish of GUILSPIELD WITHOUT. the Scveni at Tirlu-liy, ami to he continued to tlie undoubted Roman station of Y Gaor in Forden parish. Mo7it. Coll., Sept. 1899, xxxi, 170. The ^^llage of Sarnau is about a mile and a half to the cast of the road just indicated. It lies partly in the parish of Gviilsfield Without, and partly in that of Meifod. Division VII (Finds). Prehistoric. 2Z1. Spherical Stone, found at Dyos or Dyer's Farm, Pool Quay. In the Welshpool Museum. 232. Hammer Stones (2) — one 4|- in. by 2 in., the other 3^- in. by 2^ in. at broadest parts — found in the mill race by the ford at Pool Quay. In the Welshpool MuseuTD. 233. Bronze Implements. The hoard of bronze objects discovered on the east slopes of The Rhallt in the year 1862 are noticed under the parish of Welshpool (Xo. 949). 234. Bronze Boar discovered "near" Gaer favvr.* Now the property of Major G. H. Mytton, Garth, Guilsfield. It is described and illustrated in Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 449, and the illustration is repeated in Mont. Coll., Sept. 1899, xxxi, 169. [^Illustrated , figure 13.] Roman. 235. Mortarium. Found at Dyer's Farm, Pool Quay. In the Welshpool Museum. MEDIEV.4L. 236. A quantity of carved and dressed stones, found when taking down the barn oi Bank Farm, Pool Quay, formerly removed from the Abbey church of Strata Marcella. In the Welshpool Museum. 237. Sword — fragment of, found at Gaer fawr "in the late vicar Luxmoor's time" (1819-1803). In the Welshpool Museum. 238. Sword — part of, found near Pool Quay during the construction of the railway. In the Welshpool Museum. 239. Prick Spur — found at Pool Quay. In the Welshpool Museum. 240. Bowl of ancient tobacco pipe, a hair curling instrument, fragments of glass bottle with medallion I.S. ; found on site of Pool Quay vicarage. In the Welsh- pool Museum. • The following extract from a letter of the 1st Februaiy, 1833, from Mr. P. G. !Mjtton, Garth Cottage, Llanfyllin, to the Rev. Walter Davies, is of importance: — "If you can give me any information respecting a piece of antiquity found on Varchoel Demesne, the property of my uncle, you will very much help him and myself. It is of solid gold in the shape of a wild boar ; its weight two ounces, length about two inches, and height about one; it is grooved under the belly longitudinally, the groove about |-inch ■wide .... 1 have stated the size from conjecture, not having measured it ; but the weight is cori'ect " (Unpublished coiTespondence of the Rev. Walter Davies, in the National Library of Wales). Fig. 13.— GUILSFIELD: BRONZE BOAR fXo. 234); scale f INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 47 Parisli of HIRNANT. Division la (Cairns). 241. Carnedd I Hog (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.E.; lat. 52° 48' 12-5", long. 3° 24' 27"). Owner and occupier, Mr. Thomas Thomas, MinfTrvvd. A large cairn on the summit of Das Eithin, at an altitude of 1,712 feet; on the boundary of the townships of Minffrwd and Tre'rllan. Locally the cairn is known by three other names, viz., ' Carnedd Wen,' ' Crochan Aur,' and ' Carnedd Das Eithin "; the Ordnance sheet marks it as ' Carnedd Illog.' But according to the writer of the History of the Parish in Mont. Coll., 1880, xiii, 52, it is erroneous to consider this cairn to be the true Carnedd Illog. * The cairn has a present height of 30 feet, with a circumference at base of 240 feet. The grey and white stones of which it is constructed are much moss-grown, except where it has been opened from the north. On the occasion of its excavation, about the commencement of the nineteenth century, "a piece of brass kettle was discovered in the hollow beneath it, and some coins. Many years afterwards, pieces of armour were found near the same place " (ih. 54). The present location of these finds is unknown. — Visited, 21st September, 1910. 242. Carnedd Gerrig (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E.). Owner and occupier, My. John Morris, Bwlch sych. The few small stones now remaining of this carnedd stand on the boundary between the farms of Bwlch sych and Ty Croes, the present wire fence which divides the lands passing over the stones. — Visited, 7th September, 1910. In the year 1880, this carnedd was described as being " about 82 feet in circumference, worked very irregularly with stones pitched on edge in the inner course, while the outer one was evidently built of stone and mould intermixed for a certain height" (Mont. Coll., 1880, xiii, 53). The father-in-law of the present occupier was for some weeks engaged in carting the stones from this carnedd for building purposes. While so engaged he came across " an old kettle, or an urn, containing a quantity of ashes, with something like cinders." Nothing is now known of this receptacle. The writer of the above article continues : " One side of this cairn was opened about half-a-century ago [circa 1830], when a stone chest was discovered, which was robbed of its contents during the time that intervened between the first discovery and the time it was removed."! Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified — Dykes). 243. Clawdd Mawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.W.; lat. 52° 46' 57-5", long. 3° 23' 19"). An ancient dyke partly in the parish of Hirnant, and partly in that of Llanrhaiadr ym Mochnant, and noticed under the latter parish. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 244. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E.). Ded : St. Illog. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Llan- fyllin; townships of Cwrawr, Cwmllech, Minffrwd, Trefedw, Tre'rllan. An entirely new church, erected in 1892 on the site of the old one. The ancient font serves as a flower vase in the rectory garden. " An unique feature of the new * It is clear from the terrier of 1730 that the real Carnedd Illog was that on the summit of Croesforwyn, now completely removed (see 247). t " It was always believed in the neighbourhood that vast booty was stored up in this huge cairn ; and treasure hunters, from time to time, had mads fruitless attempts to discover the same, for the more they worked, and the nearer they went, as it was supposed, to the spoil, invariably, a most terrific thunderstorm came on, and this was also the case when the chest was discovered, which was the cause of its being partly exposed for several days, before the late Thomas Jones of Cwmfedw took a pair of horses, and with the aid of strong chains contrived to remove the slab, and had it taken to cover the culvert by the old Methodist Chapel, where it still lies, doing a most serviceable work under the main road" {Mont. Coll., 1880, xiii, 54). 48 ROYAL COMMISSION OX ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE ; Parish of HIRNANT. building is that some of the stone dressings, the principals and spars of the root, the pulpit and altar rails were carted hither from the old church at Llanwddyn before it was submerged under tiic [Vyrnwy] lake " (Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1908, ii, 218).— Visited, 7th September, 1910. Glynne, ' Notes,' .irch. Camb., 1885, V, ii, 39. An inventory of the registers, church plate and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 3. Division V (Misckllaneods — Holy Wells). 245. Ffynnoii I Hog (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 49", long. 3° 24' 36"). Situate at the base of Das Eithin Hill, a few yards north of the rectory of Hirnant, to which its water is now conveyed. There do not appear to be any local traditions connected with the well. — Visited. 7th Soptomher, 1910. 246. Ffynon Isel (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E.; lat. 52° 46' 58", long. 3° 24' 52" ). Owners, the City Council of Liverpool. This copiously flowing spring is situate on Buches y Foel Ortho, or (as the writer of the Tarish History in Mont. Coll., 1880, xiii, 48 puts it) on the Gla.scwm side of Cefnhirfynydd. Its waters have been impounded, and are now conducted to the Corporation reservoir of Lake Vyrnwy. People still occasionally visit it, for the water taken directly from ' the eye of the well ' is of reputed efficacy in some infantile ailments. — Visited, 7th September, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 247. Carnedcl I Hog (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E.; lat. 52° 46' 41-5", long. 3° 26' 20"). Owners, the City Council of Liverpool. The true ' Carnedd Illog ' on the summit of Croesforwyn Hill, and on the boundary line between the parishes of Hirnant and Llanwddyn. It was opened in 1875, when it was found " to have been built on a rock, having a cavity in the centre about 3 feet square, which contained a quantity of hard-burnt clay mixed with charcoal, and what appeared like ashes; the loose stones and the rock show evident signs of being burnt " (Mont. Coll., 1880, xiii, 53). Between the years 1900 and 1910, the remaining stones were entirely removed, and only the site of it now remains. — Visited, 2nd September, 1910. 248. Carneddau Croesforwyn. " Several small cairns or barrows, in two groups, about ^ niile from Illog's Cairn, in an easterly direction, three covered with white spar " (Mont. Coll., 1880, xiii, 54). The position of these is not marked on the Ordnance sheet ; enquiries and searching have failed to find them. If still in existence, they must be covered with grass and fern. 249. Carnedd Bwlch y groes Iwyd. The site is not marked on the Ordnance sheet, nor would it now appear to be known. 250. Intrenchment. " An entrenchment on the mountain to the north of the church and valley, adjoining the parish of Pennant Melangell ; about 400 yards long, its dykes almost filled up" (Mont. Coll., 1880, xiii, 55). The Ordnance sheet does not mark this earthwork, nor does it appear to be known in the parish. 251. Cae y Garreg Lwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 30", long. 3° 25' 18"). Tithe Schedule, No. 472. A rough stony field at the foot of Bryn Coch. — Visited, 7th September, 1910. INVEXTOHY OF THE COf.N'TY OF irOXTGOMERY. 49 Parish of HIRNANT. 252. Ffynnon Beaver (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.W.; lat. 52° 48' 15", long. 3° 21' 0"). A small farmstead north-east of Pen y ceunant Farm. No well is known here, the name being now only preserved in that of the farm. — Visited, 14th September, 1910. 253. Ffynnon Moel myneich. A sheep-walk belonging to Bwlch Sych Farm (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont 8 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 29", long. 3° 26' 12") is known as Moel myneich, but its owner and occupier, Mr. John Morris, has no knowledge of any well on it. — Visited 7th September, 1910. 254. Mynydd y Gam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.W.; lat. 52° 47' 52", long 3° 22' 40"). Tithe Schedule, No. 184. A field on Fronheulog Farm. No carnedd is known to have stood upon it. 255. Wern y Sarn Issa, and Wern y Sam Ucha (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E. ; lat. 52° 47' 50", long. 3° 24' 7"). Tithe Schedule, Nos. 1170, 1171. Two fields, 150 yards south of Minffrwd farm-house, now called Maes bach, and Maes yr Onnllwyn. The Hirnant brook is crossed by a foot bridge and a ford in Wern y Sarn Issa, but no sarn is known to have been here, nor do the names Wern y Sarn Issa and Wern y Sarn Ucha appear to be remembered in the locality. — Visited, 7th September, 1910. 256. Llwybr Heilyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.W.). An ancient trackway still used by foot passengers, and for the haulage of turf and rushes from Foel Fedw Fawr. It crosses the parish boundary from I.lanrhaiadr ym Mochnant about a quarter of a mile to the east of Clawdd Mawr, runs along to the north and some 250 feet beneath it, and is lost on Foel Ortho to the north-west of Clawdd Mawr. The trackway of Llwybr Heilyn has an average width of 10 feet, and is in some places much rush-grown, whilst the grass is of a darker shade than that of the mountain. It was much frequented during the lead mining activity of the district. — Visited, 7th September, 1910. 257. Cefn hir fynydd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 5 S.W., 9 N.W., 8 N.E.). An old road which leaves the high road from Pen y bont fawr to Hirnant at Pentre ucha Farm, and, running for some two miles, rejoins the road on the summit of the hill just beyond the farm of Llidiart y Rhos. Its generally narrow width, and the age of many trees in the hedges on either side, make the lane noticeable. — Visited, 7th September, 1910. Division VII (Finds). 258. Oval stone. To the right of the main entrance to the parish churchyard was formerly a stone stile. This was built up a few years ago, and in the wall was placed an oval stone, some 12 inches in length with a hole in the centre, said to have come from the old church. It is only partly visible. — Seen, 7th September, 1910. 259. Tiles. In the same wall to the right of the churchyard entrance are to be seen what appear to be the remains of three or four yellow coloured tiles. On one of them are two crosses, an inch long. — Seen, 7th September, 1910. 50 HOYM. (I)MMISSIOX OX ANflKNT MONTMEXTS IX WALES AXD MOXMOUTHSUIRE : Parish of HOPE. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified — Dykes). 2t.o. Offa's Dyke (6 in. Ord. Sui-v. sheet, Mont. 23 S.E. and N.E.). The dyke enters this parish from that of Cletterwood, and pursues a direct stuitherlv (.'ourse until it arrives at the hnunchiries of Leighton parish. — Visited, lUth October, 1909. The dyke will be described as a whole at a later stage. Parish of HYSSINGTON. Division II (E.arthworks), sub-division E (Norm.\n-Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 2G1. 7/76 Castle Hill (H in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 N.E. ; lat. 52° 32' 37", long. 3° 0' 40"). Owner, Mr. A. H. Kay, Llan, Hyssington, Churchstoke; occupier, Mr. Hemmings, Yew Tree Farm, Hyssington. A small mound-and-bailey castle, stationed upon a slight elevation imme- diately adjoining the churchyard. The .summit of the hill constitutes a phxteau of a little less than an acre in extent, and the slopes are fairly precipitous all round. The raound wixs placed at the north-western corner of the plateau, the external line of the hill having been sharply scarped at this point. Internally it was cut off from the main area of the plateau by a somewhat shallow fosse. Both mound and ditch have been nuich tampered with, rendering it difficult to estimate the original height or depth of either. The bailey occupied the remainder of the summit; it is in shape an irregular oval, measuring 84 yards from N.W. to S.E., and 30 yards across. It does not seem to have been protected by an earthen wall, but such a wall runs round the base of the hill, except where it meets the stone wall of the churchyard. The entire position is dominated by closely adjacent higher ground to the north, and the position has altogether the appearance of an early work, occupied and altered at a later period. — Visited, 20th August, 1909. This is probablv the " ancient encampment " mentioned in Lewis, Top. Diet, of Wale.'^, 1833, s.7i. ' Hyssington.' Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 262. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 N.E.). Ded : St. Etheldreda. Diocese of Hereford ; archdeaconry of Ludlow; rural-deanery of Montgomery. The edifice was practically rebuilt from its foundations in the year 1875, and contains no furniture or appointments of ecclesiological or antiquarian interest, save one of the bells which is inscribed ' Sancta Etheldreda ora pro nobis.' The vicarage is within the neighliouring parish of Churchstoke, and is known as Llannerch. — Visited, 12th October, 1909. Division V (Miscellaneous). 263. Maypole Bank (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 N.E.). To the south of the Castle Hill defensive work is a small rocky plateau, raised a few feet above the roadway that runs by its side, and called Maypole Bank. This, and the surrounding land, is common and unenclosed and known as Bryn Bank. It was probably the scene of village gaieties in bygone times, and there are signs of a circle which probably was a cockpit, but it bears no sufficiently distinctive features to allow of more accurate classification. — Visited, 20th August, 1909. INVENTOEY OF THE COl.VTY OF MOXTGOMERT. 51 Parisli of IS Y GARREG. Division III (Domestic Structures). 264. Glannieryn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52^ 34' 13", long. 3° 51' 2"). Owner, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, the Plas, Machynlleth; occupier, Mr. John Jones. On the wall of what is now the dairy, but was originally the entrance hall, and above the now closed fire-place, is a large plaster coat of arms of the family of Mathafarn (argent, a lion passant sable, between three fleurs de lys guJes) which w^as fixed probably in the year 1644 by John Pughe of Glanmeryn, son of Humphrey Pugh of Aberffrydlan (a younger branch of the house of Mathafarn) and his second wife, Anne de la Haye. The house bears evidences of its age in the heav>' oaken beams and floors, but the architectural features are largely modern. — Visited, 21st April, 1910. Division V (Miscellaneous). 265. Ogof fawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 1", long. 3° 51' 53"). A (?) natural cave on the Wylfa, just above the first milestone from ]\Iachynlleth, south-west of the town. It can be entered for some 30 yards. — Visited, 29th April, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 266. Dot y gariiedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 32 N.W.; lat. 52° 33' 36", long. 3° 53' 53"). A field on the farm of the same name, situate on the border of Cardiganshire, 1^- miles north-east of Glandovey Railway Station. Tithe Schedule, No. 1029. Mr. J. H. Evans, Tyno hir, remembers hearing of farmers carting stones away from a heap in the field. There are now no traces of a carnedd. — Visited, 29th April, 1910. 267. Cae Cam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 32 N.W.; lat. 52° 34' 9", long. 3° 54' 18"). A field 250 yards east of Morben Isa farm (owner, Mr. J. H. Evans, Tyno hir). One grey unhewn stone, 2 feet high and 10 feet in girth, with three smaller ones around, mark the site of a carnedd. No traditions of it are known to Mr. Evans, who remembers the site from boyhood as it appears to-day. Tithe Schedule, No. 979. — Visited, 29th April, 1910. 268. Dol Pensarn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 32 N.W.; lat. 52° 33' 41", long. 3° 54' 19"). A meadow belonging to the farm of Cae rhedyn (parish of Ysguborycoed, Cardiganshire), having the river Llyfnant as its south-western boundary. At this point the old coach road from Aberystwyth to Machynlleth crossed the river. A small bridge built over the sarn is now in ruins. Tithe Schedule, No. 1033. — Visited, 29th April, 1910. 269. Bwlch y Groesfaen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 34' 48", long. 3° 51' 45"). The 'bwlch', or pass, which gives its name to the adjoining farmstead, is south of Wylfa, the Outlook-hill, f mile south-west of the town of ^lachynlleth. The ' groes ' may be a vein of lead ore or blend, which crosses the ' bwlch " and the hill, and is visible on the rocky road which traverses the pass. Tithe Schedule, No. 1138. —Visited, 30th April, 1910. G2 52 ROV.M. C OMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE : Parish of IS Y 6ARRE0. 270. Garnecid Cidu {^ in. Urd. Smv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 34' 29", long. 3° 51' 40"). A rocky point to the south of Gelli lydan farm. No remains of a carnedd arc now apparent. Tithe Schedule, No. 1160. — Visited, 30th April, 1010. Division VII (Finds). 271. In the year lOOH, .Mr, John Jones, tenant of Glanmeryn farm, whilst ploughing in a field locally known as ' Maes Medic," turned up a highly polished stone implement, four-sided, and curved; point missing; length of outer bow 6| inches, length of inner bow 5^ inches; width at bases of four sides | inch. — Seen on 29th April, 1910, at Glanmeryn. 272. Flint Arrowhead. On the 3rd May, 1010, whilst working in the farm-yard of Glanmeryn, the son of the tenant unearthed a worked flint arrowhead 1 inch long, but having the extreme point broken off. — Seen on the day of finding at Glanmeryn. Parish of KERRY. Division la (Tumuli). Along the entire length of Kerry Hill are scattered tiny mounds that, for the most part, are sepulchral, although this conclusion does not appear to have been confirmed by scientific investigation of any one example. The high ground (which in the parish of Kerry is called Kerry Hill) stretches unbrokenly from Bishop's Moat in the parish of Castlew'right, and the easternmost corner of this part of Wales, 'on the east, to the confines of Mochdre parish, on the west — a distance of about 14 miles. The summit is gently rounded, and keeps for its entire course a fairly even height of 1,400 feet, with a breadth on the level of about half-a-mile, before it begins to drop sharply on either side. A road runs the length of the summit from end to end. This road is now much neglected, and, indeed, at the present day is merely a cart track; but it is unquestionably of great antiquity, and was doubtless the main line of communication prior to the comparatively recent con- struction of the roads in the valleys. The slopes of the hill are much cut into by thickly wooded dingles, so that progress is ditlicult on the lower levels; but these small lateral valleys nowhere interfere with the course of the summit road. A road, starting a few hundred yards east of the village of Kerry, runs directly across the hill to an inn called " the Anchor," placed just within the English border, and on the direct way to Clun. This road bisects the summit road near a point called "Kerry Pole," and it will be convenient as indicating the direction from Avhich these monuments can best be reached, as well as providing a commencing point for this description, to start from "Kerry Pole." As the greater number of the tumuli have no distinctive names, it is necessary to describe their location with more than ordinary minuteness. 273. About 200 yards east of the house " Kerry Pole," and on the eastern side of a long and narrow belt of trees (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 S.W. ; lat. 52° 28' 15", long. 3° 13' 38"). The circumference is 45 yards, and the height about 6 feet; it appears to have been tampered with. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 84, with plan and section. — Visited, 30th June, 1909. INVENTOKT OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEET. 53 Parish of KERRY. All the following are west of " Kerry Pole " house. 274: About 300 yards off the road on the left (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 S.W. ; lat. 52° 28' 2", long. 3° 14' 21"). A tumulus called Shenton's Tump; circum- ference about 50 yards, height 6 feet. 200 yards almost direct south is the fairly complete stone circle. No. 282, Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 84, with plan and section.— Visited, 30th June, 1909. 275. A short distance along the road (proceeding westwards), and in a belt of trees within a few yards of the road on the left-hand side (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 S.W.; lat. 52° 28' 5", long. 3° 14' 51"). A small mound of about 40 yards circumference ; it has quite evidently been opened at some previous period. — Visited, 30th June, 1909. 276. In a thick plantation called Cefncraig Wood, and about 600 yards to the right from the summit track (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 S.E. ; lat. 52° 28' 15", long. 3° 15' 32"). Circumference 60 yards, height 8 feet. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 84.— Visited, 30th June, 1909. 277. The Two Tumps. At a distance of almost exactly two miles westward along the trackway from the last described are ' The Two Tumps,' at about the highest point of the hill, 1,657 feet above Ordnance datmn. They form conspicuous objects upon the horizon (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 S.E.; lat. 52° 27' 22", long. 3° 17' 55"; lat. 52° 27' 21", long. 3° 18' 0"). Each is about 80 yards in circumference, with a height of about 9 feet. The former has every appearance of having been opened. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 85, with plan and section. — Visited, 14th September, 1909. A few yards beyond the most westward of these tumuli the track crosses at a right angle" the line of ancient entrenchment. No. 293, and with the fall of the ground, drops to a slight hollow, through which passes the main road from Newtown (co. Montgomery) to Knighton (co. Radnor), and ends its course at a homestead called 'The Cyder House.' 278. Following the modern road to Knighton just mentioned direct south for half-a- mile, about 400 yards off the road to the light on a wild track called Crug^nau is a low mound, now planted over and enclosed with barbed wire fencing (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 49 N.E. ; lat. 52° 26' 48", long. 3° 18' 50"). This is by no means clear in outline, and it may not be sepulchral, but its shape has been tampered with when the plantation was formed, or at an earlier period. — Visited, 16th September, 1909. 279. Returning along the road towards ' The Cyder House,' in the direction of Newtown, and at the foot of rising ground, a gate known as ' The Black Gate ' leads on the left into rough ground called The Crugyn Bank. Stretching diagonally across it is the entrenchment known as ' The Double Dyche ' (No. 293), and on the brow of the hill stands a group of three mounds. The first (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 S.E.; lat. 52° 27' 46", long. 3° 19' 6") is in a dense thicket on the right of the road looking northward ; this has a circumference of 90 yards, and a height of 15 feet. The second is a few yards away, on the left of the road (lat. 52° 27' 46", long. 3° 19' 10"). This measures 88 yards round the base, and 12 feet in height ; it shows signs of having been opened. The third is a few yards further west (lat. 52° 27' 44", long. 3° 19' 11"), partly planted with trees; its 54 HOTAt COMMISSION- ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIKE : Parish of KERRY. circumference is 92 yards, and height 13 feet. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 85, with plans and sections. — Visited. 14th September, 1909. 280. The Glog (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 S.W.) The western spur of the long Kerry Hill called The Glog, falls abruptly into the valley of the Rhiwdi'c, a .streamlet dividing the palish of Kcii\ from that of Mochilre. The summit of The Glog is an open sheep down, and upon it the Ordnance sheet figures six tumuli. Two of the mounds are probably formed by the outcrop of rock which has been covered by vegetation, but the rest appear to be artificial. Taking a westerly course from the last group of tumuli, the first is reached at lat 52° 27' 32", long. 3° 19' 40" ; this is about 70 yards round at the ba.se, and 6 feet high. The second is lat. 52° 27' 33", long. 3° 19' 46"; it is slightly smaller than the first, being 67 yards in circumference, with a height of 5 feet; it stands at an altitude of 1,377 feet above Ordnance datum. The next shown upon the Ordnance sheet is doubtful. The third is at lat. 52° 27' 26", long. 3° 20' 15" ; it is the smallest of the group, being only 48 yards round at the base, and about 5 feet high. The next in order upon the map is doubtful. The fourth is partly artificial, advantage having been taken of an outcrop of rock at the point where the hill commences to fall with considerable abruptness to the valley below. Its exact situation is lat. 52° 27' 20", long. 3° 20' 38". Owing to its position at the end of a narrow and well- defined ridge of rock, this mound stands out more clearly than its companions, but its measurements cannot be ascertained with accuracy, because the sharp fall of the rock on its eastern side causes the rake of the mound to fade into the slope of the rock. The direction of the ridge is almost directly N. and S. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 85, with a general sketch of the landscape. — Visited, 21st September, 1909. 81. Kerry Village (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 43 N.E. and 44 N.W.). Two tuniuli situated about 300 yards east of the village of Kerry, on the farm of Little Cloddiau (Owner, Mr. J. Bancroft Willans, Dolforgan Hall, Kerry). They lie within a few yards of each other in a low, and rather swampy meadow, with a space of a few yards between them. Both are of much larger dimensions than those that are situated upon the hills. The most westerly of the two (lat. 52° 30' 9", long. 3° 15' 9") is also the smaller. It has a circumference of about 240 yards, and a height of 12 feet. The second (lat. 52° 30' 10", long. 3° 15' 7") is 270 yards in circumference, and about 15 feet in height. This mound has been opened, and there are vague but contradictory rumours of the discoveries made by a former occupant of Dolforgan Hall. The present owner of the Dolforgan estate has no knowledge of such a circum- stance. It is said in Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 87. where there are also a plan and sections, that they are called Brynar and Riddle, though the writer (Mr. E. Rowley ^Morris) had not been able to obtain any explanation of those names. — Visited, 22nd June, 1909. Division Id (Circles). 282. Kerry Hill (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 S.W. ; lat. 52° 28' 56". long. 3° 14' 24"). Owners, the legal representatives of the late Mr. John Naylor, Leighton Hall. A circle of eight stones with a central stone, standing 200 yards almost direct south from the tumulus called Shenton's Tump, No. 274. The plan in Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 82, shows the arrangement of the stones. — Visited, 30th June, 1909. The account just referred to mentions a second circle distant from the above " in a straight line about three or four hundred yards," apparently in a north-easterly direction, towards the house called ' Kerry Pole.' A diligent search quite failed to locate it, and inquiries from local antiquaries and sportsmen have been fruitles.s. As the stones may be visible in early spring the following account of the circle is INVENTOEY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 55 Parish of EEBBY. quoted from the above-mentioned source. It " has only six stones remaining, [and] is suggestive of having once been a circle. This is indicated by a central stone, and the position and distance of three others. The remaining ones are thrown out of the -«- ^■■5^ ' "Js-. 'A y \ ,* ^ \ -it'- - If Fig. U.— KERRY : CIRCLE ON KERRY HILL (No. 282). circle, all of which are at irregular distances the one from the other, being as follows : 23 feet, 20 feet 4 inches, 18 feet, 54^ feet, 19 feet, etc., respectively." Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 283. QreSit Clock! iau Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.W.; lat. 52° 30' 34", long. 3° 14' 22"). Owners, the representatives of the late Mr. John Nay lor, Leighton Hall ; occupier, Mrs. Pugh. An earthen camp, on the summit of a hill, much injured by the erection of the farmhouse and buildings of Great Cloddiau upon its eastern side. The camp is an irregular circle except upon the west, where the course of the bank becomes almost straight for a distance of about 45 yards ; the bank then takes a sharp curve south- ward, makes an outward bend, passes through a spinney, and comes to an abrupt end where the grounds of the modern house commence. The camp is surrounded by a ditch, of which there are considerable vestiges on the west and south sides, terminat- ing in the farm pond. There was an inner bank of apparently no considerable height, and faint indications are traceable of a second bank on the exterior side. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii. 92, with plan and section.— Visited, 22nd June, 1909. 284. Clwt Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.W. ; lat. 52° 29' 49", long. 3° 12' 29"). Owners, the representatives of the late Mr. John Naylor, Leighton Hall. A nearly square camp, situated on a spur of Kerry Hill, with rising ground to the south at its rear. The northern and southern sides are much curved out, and the western side has been tampered with. It measures internally 42 yards 66 KOTAL COUMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONUOUTHSUIBE : Parish of KERRY. from north to south, and about the same from east to west ; so that its interior area is from one-third to one-half of an acre. It is surrounded by a ditch of from three to four feet in depth, and six feet in width at the surface level; on the northern side this ditch has an exterior bank. The entrance was in tlie eastern face. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 91, with plan and section; the writer suggests it was " one of the camps thrown up and occupied by the forces of Llewelyn during the ill-fated campaign of King Henry III in the vale of Kerry [A.D. 1228]."— Visited, 28th September, 1909. 285. Drefor Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.W; lat. 52° 29' 30", long. 3° 13' 13"). Owner, the representatives of the late Mr. John Naylor, Leighton Hall. This is a small camp on the north-western slope of Pant y Drain Hill, and in a dense plantation called Fron Derw Wood. A tiny streamlet called Drefor Dingle protects it to the west. It is an irregular circle, with an average diameter of 150 feet. The camp slopes upwards toward the east, and at the eastern end, which is slightly thrust forward, the ground rises to form a little hillock about 6 feet high. Owing to the rake of the hill the ditch is hardly lower than the interior level of the camp; while on the lower side of the hill, at the northern corner of the cjunp, the slope to the ditch is more considerable. Proceeding westwards, the ditch disappears altogether. The entrance, wliich is in the west slope, is defended by a low mound on either side, flanking a passage-way of about 20 feet long; but there is here no ditch. The camp is of primitive type, and probably intended for a cattle enclosure. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 91, with plan and section. — Visited, 14th October, 1909. 286. Old Hall Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.E. ; lat. 52° 29' 57", long. 3° 10' 7"). A fine camp circling an out -jutting spur of Kerry Hill, behind the farm of Old Hall. A comparatively modern hedge cuts it into two almost equal halves. Its interior measures 165 feet from north to south, by 135 feet from east to west. The summit of the hill was probably levelled, and its sides scarped ; making the averiige drop of 20 feet from the inner margin to the bottom of the ditch very sharp. The coimterscarp is from 5 to 8 feet, and is also very abrupt. The western approach from the higher ground at the back is defended by a second bank and ditch, now almost entirelv obliterated. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 91, with plan and section. — Visited, 14th October, 1909. 287. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 S.E. ; lat. 52° 31' 53", long. 3° 10' 27"). Owner, Mr. David Davies, M.P., Llandinam; occupier, Mr. Richard Davies, Camp Farm, Llandyssil. This is a strong camp placed at an altitude of 1,020 feet above sea level on the summit of the high ground called Cefn y Coed, lying between the parishes of Kerry and Llandyssil. It is very inaccessible, but rather by reason of its remoteness than because of any difficulties of the ground. The best approach is by the old mountain road that traverses the uplands of Llandyssil, and passes the farm. The homestead is within the parish of Llandyssil, and only a few yards below the water- shed, with its outlook towards the north and the valley of the Severn. The camp is on the other side of the watershed, upon a sunny slope, and with a wide prospect over the vale of Kerry. The farm buildings encroach upon the camp, and interfere with its proper care, and much of it is covered with a thick larch plantation. In shape it is almost square, with its sides facing the cardinal points, and its corners symmetrically rounded. The inner enclosure measiu-es 140 feet from east to west, by 120 feet from north to south. First, a rampart of a present average height of 3 feet encircles the entire enclosure. This rampart drops directly a distance of 5 feet to the bottom of a ditch, that at the ground level is almost 6 feet wide. The second rampart at once follows, rising to about 7 feet, and again directly falling about 5 feet to a second ditch, finally rising with a very sharp slope for 10 feet. There is no exterior rampart, and the gradual increase in the rise of the northern ditches on their external sides is occasioned by the natural fall 6i the ground. The INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 57 Parish of KERRY. banks and ditches, though much worn down on the eastern and southern sides, are in excellent preservation on the north, but on the west both ditches have been filled up and incorporated into the adjoining field. The entrance is practically midway on the eastern side. The measurements are : from the north-east angle to the entrance 48 feet, width of entrance 21 feet, from the entrance to the south-east angle 51 feet. There is an excellent spring outside the south rampart. This camp clearly shows the influence and adoption of Roman methods of castrametation, and for that reason presents an interesting study. — Visited, 19th August, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division D (Castle mounts, without enclosures). 288. Tomen Madoc (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 N.E.; lat. 52° 30' 31", long. 3° 15' 32"). Owner, Mr. J. Bancroft Willans, Dolforgan Hall, Kerry. In the grounds of Dolforgan Hall, at the eastern termination and on the summit of a short range of hills, with an extensive prospect over the vale of Kerry; now covered with wood and dense undergrowth. The mound rises to a height of about 35 feet from shallow ditches cut across the crest of the hill on the eastern and western sides ; the ground to the north and south slopes abruptly. The summit of the mound is flat, and of the maximum diameter of 35 feet. There are no indications of outer works on the east, from which direction it would be most easily assailed. The struc- ture has much the appearance of a tumulus, but the sepulchral mounds of this district are not surrounded or cut off by a ditch, and its slope is too precijiitous. Mo7it. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 86, with section. The writer of that notice regards it as a tumulus. — Visited, 22nd June, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman-Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 289. The ^oat (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 N.E. ; lat. 52° 29' 47", long. 3° 15' 23"). A mound-and-bailey castle, standing within the vicarage grounds. The mound rises from the bottom of the fosse to a height of from 60 to 75 feet The summit is roughly circular, with an average diameter of 30 feet. The exterior scarp is very abrupt, and measures from 8 to 12 feet. It is said that when laying out the vicarage grounds and garden on the southern and western slopes of the hill upon which the mound is placed, it was found that the core of the earthwork was solid rock, and it is probable that the irregularity of the moat may be occasioned by this circumstance ; but the fall of the leaves from a thick plantation which has occupied the site, probably for centuries, has obliterated details. There are now no signs of an inner or outer bailey. Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 92, wdth plan and section.— Visited, 22nd June, 1909. 290. Neuadcl Goch (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 S.W.; lat. 52° 28' 48", long. 3° 21' 22"). Occupier, Mr. William Jenkins. Situated in the angle formed by the junction of two small streams, one called Cwm y Rhiwdre, the other Garth Heilyn brook, and at the north-western point of the township of Gaith Heilyn and parish of Kerry. It stands on the farm of Neuadd Goch, about half a mile north of the reservoir of the Newtown Waterworks Company, and two miles from that town. This might well be regarded as a promontory fort of a much earlier period, but its close resemblance, both in situation and plan, to the mound-and-bailey castle at Tafolwern (Parish of Llanbrynmair, No. 311), permits of its proper classification. The two brooks, though affording but slight protection in summer, are by no means despicable barriers after heavy rains. Across the base of the triangle from stream to stream, and now only a little above the level of the streams, a wide but (at present) shallow fosse has been cut. The mound is about 75 feet from the bottom of the fosse to the summit, the diameter of which is 30 feet. The ground falls abruptly to the little brooks on all sides but the south, which is comparatively level. If there was a base court, it must have lain in this direction, but there are at present no signs of defences. The mound is now in the midst of a dense tangle of wood. Mo7it. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 85, with plan and section. The \vriter of that notice regards it as a tumulus. — Visited, 17th September, 1909. H 58 KUYAL COMMISSION O.N ANriK.NT MONTMEXTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSIIIKE I Parish of KERRY. Division II (Earthworks), suB-nivisio\ X (Unclassified— Dykes). The purisli of Korry contains several remains consisting of long stretches of dykes antl tlitchcs, all of which possess the main features of a bank of earth and a ditcli, but have no sufficiently distinctive marks to admit of individual classifi- cation according to j)urpose, character or date. Offa's Dyke p;isses just l>cyond the eajtern end of the parish, crossing the high land of the neighbouring parish of Castle- wright a few hundred yards from the boundary of Kerry parish. The dykes crossing Kerry Hill have a general north and south trend, either directly athwait its course, or at a slight slant. Of not one of them can it be said with certainty that it is to be traced along its entire lengthy and all have probably been broken into or shortened when they touch upon land that has been long under cultivation. In one instance the dyke seems to have descended into the vale of Kerry, and to have been carried some distance up the slope of the opposite hill dividing the parish from the valley of the Severn ; but there is no appearance or tradition of the continuation of the dykes into the latter valley.* 201. The Lower Short Dyche (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.E.). This is the most easterly of the dykes and ditches. The work consists of an earthen bank of from five to eight feet in height from the ground level, which on its western side descends into a ditch now of varying depths, with an average of about five feet. This dyke can be clearly traced in the county of Salop, and it probably extended north-westwards into the valley of Kerry, where its continuation became known as Wantyn Dyche (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 44 N.E. and 44 N.W.). The latter was probably continued across the Kerry valley, acting as boundary to the township of Caeliber Uchaf in its course, and proceeded up the opposite slope in the direction of Fronheulog Farm, where (lat. 52° 31' 26", long. 3° 12' 54") are clear signs of two shallow parallel banks and ditches, and an intermediate length is faintly perceptible in the field at the back of Goitre Hill Farm.— Visited, 18th September, 1909. 292. The Upper Short Dyche (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 S.W.). This runs across Kerry Hill parallel with, and at a distance of over two miles to the west of, the preceding work. It is identical in character, and was doubtless con- structed at the same time and for the same purpose. A length of dyke and ditch on the lower ground of the Kerry valley called ' The Grange Dyche,' was connected with the Upper Short Dyche. The grange in question was that of Gwernygoe, belonging to the abbey of Cwmhir, co. Radnor. — Visited, 18th September, 1909. 293. The Double Dyche (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 S.E.). This is* at the western, or Dolfor, end of the parish, and has already been mentioned in describing the Tumuli, No. 279. It passes diagonally across Crugyn Bank, on the northern slope of which hill it suddenly starts at the edge of a tiny ravine. The bank is always to the east, with the ditch immediately behind, the ground in many • Wantyn Dyche and the Lower and Upper Short Dyches have been the subject of careful survey by the late Mr. J. M. E. Lloyd. An admirable paper by him upon the subject of these earthworks, with a discussion of their probable purpose (which the writer concludes was " military "). is in Arrh. Cnmb., 1901, 6- shpool 89, suggests that the dykes are artificial extensions of natural township divisions, and may have beert thrown up by the monks of Cwmhir Abbey (Radnorshire) to mark the boundaries of their territory. As to which it may be said that the Lower Short Dyche does not form a township boundary in any part of its ascertained course, and the Upper Short Dyche servos as the eastern boundary of Bahaillion township for no more than 500 yards. The Dyches on cultivated land usually form field boundaries, and as such are indistinguishable from ordinary hedges. It may be added that in a suit in the Court of Exchequer in the year 1688 {Pnh. Eec. Office: Depositions taken under Special Commissions, Montgomery, 4 Jas. II, "Michaelmas, No. 44) interesting evidence was given. The Upper and Lower Short Dyches were then put foward as manorial boundaries ; the road along the summit of Kerry Hill is mentioned, and the house now called Kerry Pole was then called Kerry Block. ITTVENTOET OF THE COtTXTT OF MONTGOMERY. 59 Parish of KERRY. places falling 12 feet from the top of the bank to the bottom of the ditch. In places the western side of the ditch has a low bank of no more than 3 feet in average height, which doubtless was originally continuous. Hence the name of Double Dyche — dyche standing for dyke, not ditch. As it approaches the bottom of the hill it disappears, but on the slope of the next hill it is again seen pursuing a straight line a little below ' The Two Tumps ' (No. 277), and passing over the county border into Radnorshire. An illustration in Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 90 (reproduced below), shows the dyche running up Crugyn Bank from right to left, cutting across the old road from Newtown in its course, and disappearing over the brow of the hill. The three tumuli at the top of the hill are those described above, No. 279. ' The Two Tumps ' are on IcMcll'^lslfu^ *W«' M^ -A_ "%^-X/^ ^^:^^=%£tr^^^^ Fig. l.n.— KERRY : THE DOUBLE DYCHE (Xo. :293). the hill in the foreground, but are out of the picture, to the left ; ' the Black Gate ' is at the foot of tlie hill and admits to the plantation on the left. — Visited, 14th September, 1909. Division III (Domestic Structures). 294. Gweriiygoe (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 S.E. ; lat. 52° 31' 13", long. 3° 8' 50"). Owner, Mr. David Davies, M.P., Llandinam; occupier, Mr. John Morris. A farmstead which, though almost entirely modern, is successor to a monastic grange belonging to the Cistercian house of Cwmhir (parish of Abbey Cwmhir, co. Riidnor). The ti'fld in which the house stands is, in the Tithe Schedule of 1840, called "the Chapel meadow," and half a mile direct east (but on the other side of the Caebutrach brook, which forms the boundary of the parish), in the parish of Churchstoke (which see), is a field called Cae yr Abbot (Tithe Survey, No. 113). The cellars of the present house are probably those of its predecessor. One of the oaken beams is reputed to have come from the grange chapel, a tradition which is pfobably correct, as one of its sides has a characteristic Perpendicular moulding. The door of the cellar bears an inscription, now illegible. A chapter on " Gwernygoe Chapel," bringing together conclusive evidence of its medieval existence, and nuich interesting matter respecting it drawn from the public records, is in Mont. Coll., 1893, xxvii, 112; and an illustration is given of the cellar door and beam referred to.*— Visited, 14th October, 1909. * A pai't of the land of Gwernygoe grange, consisting of sis aci-es. was called "Maes y Gadf a " in 1683, lint is now not to be identified. Another name then mentioned as " The Merlins," i.s entered in the Tithe Schedule of 1840 as " Tir Meliu" ("yellow soil"). H2 60 ROYAL COMMISSION 6N ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN^ WALES AND MONMOUTHSIIIEE : Parish of KERRY. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 2;»D. The Harsh Church (6 in. Urd. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 N.E.). Ded : St. Michael. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Cedewen; townships of Garth Heilin, Graig, Wig-Dolfor, Gwemesgob, Gwenthriw, Cefn y beren, Bahaillion, Bryn Llywarch, Cloddiau, Maenllwyd, Pen y gelli, Trevor and Flin, Caeliber uclia, Caeliber issa, Goetre, Trellan, Cilrhiw, Cefn y mynach, Gwernygoe. A church of historic importance and archaeological interest. It was thoroughly, but on the whole carefully, restored in 1883, and it retains a few features of the edifice, the consecration of which in a.d. 1176 produced an interesting episode in the life of Giraldus Cambrensis. It continued attached to the diocese of St. David's until 1861, when it was transferred to St. Asaph. — Visited, 22nd June, 1909. A good architectural account of the edifice is in Mont. Coll., 1891, xxv, 383, with plans and illustrations. Thomas, Hut. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 516. An inventorv of the registers, plate and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Dec. 1906, xxxiv. 243. [lUusfrated, figurea 16 niid 17.] Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 296. Pen y Castell, or Hubert's Folly (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 S.E. ; lat. 52° 28' 43", long. 3° 16' 30"). Owner, Mr. J. Bancroft Willans, Dolforgan Hall, Kerry. The supposed site of a castle ei'ected by Hutert de Burgh, the justiciar of Henry III, in the year 1228, on or near the site of a small settlement (habitacuhim) of white monks called Cridia, which the king had caused to be burnt. The position is in the township of Cefn y mynach, at the end of a dingle called Cwm y ddalfa, through which runs the Miheli brook. The l^uilding of the castle and its speedy destruction are recorded by Matthew Paris (Rolls ed. Chronica Majora, iii, 159), and the topographical question is discussed in Mont. Coll., 1889, xxiii, 353 — 369. The writer's conclusion is that Cridia (which he regards as equivalent to ' crefydd-dy,' ' a religious house ') was the present homestead of Old Hall, and Hubert's castle, the •' stultitia Huberti," was the camp on Old Hall Ffridd, No. 286.— Visited, 30th June, 1909. 297. Sarn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.E.). A hamlet so called. The writer of "The History of the Parish of Kerry" examined the neighbourhood carefully, but never met with any trace of an ancient road thereabouts. Mont. Coll., 1892. xxvi, 278. 298. Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.W. ; lat. 52° 30' 27" , long. 3° 14' 33"). A field on the farm of Great Cloddiau, 200 yards south of the camp. No. 283. In the Tithe Schedule, No. 286. There are no visible remains.— Visited, 22nd Jun'?. 1909. 299. Fron y Groes (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 44 N.W.; lat. 52° 29' 50", long. 3° 13' 37"). Owners, the representatives of the late Mr. John Naylor, Leighton Hall ; occupier, Mr. Alderson, Glan Meheli, Kerry. A field on the farm of Glan Miheli, numbered 237 in the Tithe Schedule. It is said to be also called Llwjn Davydd. 300. Maes y Bedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 N.E. ; lat. 52° 30' 7", long. 3° 15' 54"). Owner, Mr. J. Bancroft Willans, Dolforgan Hall, Kerry. The portion of the demesne of Dolforgan Hall opposite Gilfach Bridge is .~o called in the Tithe Survey, where it is No. 83. There is at present no appearance of a tmiiulus or grave, but' a little further east, and close to the lodge gates, tradition locates a tumulus called Bedd Caradoc, where now are no indications. 301. Upper Maes y Groes (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 N.E. ; lat. 52° 29' 59", long. 3° 16' 13"). Owner, Mr. J. Bancroft Willans, Dolforgan Hall, Kerry. A field. No. 197 in the Tithe Schedule. Fio. 16.— KEKKY : THE PARISH CHURCH (Xo. 295) ; Exterior. Fig. 17.— KERRY : THE PARISH CHURCH (Xo. 295) ; Interior, showing Norman arcade. ^\ O 03 o o H w O I INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY'. 61 Parish of LEIGHTON. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). Ht.»ti. Caer Digoll, or Beacon Ring (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 24 S.W.; lat. 52° 38' 42", long. 3° 5' 12"). Owners, tiie representatives of the late Mr. Jolm Naylor, Leighton Hall. A fine earthwork standing near the southern termination of the Long Mountain. The boundary Hne of the parishes of Leighton and Trelystan bisects it into almost equal halves. Its highest point is 1,338 feet above Ordnance datum. Westwards it commands a magnificent prospect of the Severn Valley, and to the east it enjoys extensive views over the English border. The camp is in shape a broad and fairly perfect oval, the long axis running almost exactly north and south. Its con- struction is simple : there is merely a heavy bank of earth, and an immense external ditch. The earthen bank rises from 12 to 15 feet, and at the top is of an average width of 8 feet. It falls very abruptly to the bottom of the ditch, a distance of about 50 feet. There is no outer ditch or rampart. The width of the ditch at the ground level varies between 15 and 20 feet. The principal entrance, and perhaps the only one, was at the southern end of the oval, a little west of the centre. Its width is 100 feet from the crest of the bank, but it may have been artificially enlarged, as the remains of an ancient hedge can be traced running across the middle. At the northern corner is an opening between the banks through which passes a cart track, and the opening may have been made for that purpose. There is also an opening where the ancient hedge already referred to ran out of the camp at the north .^m'""^n 100 loo 300 4===F (too SC O ■fe.e.b Scale 2S0O Fig. 19.— LEIGHTON: CAER DIGOLL (No. 302); plan. end. The north-east side is sw ampy, and water is plentiful. The internal area of th% enclosure is about 6 acres. There are no indications of hut dwellings, but near the centre is a low mound of from 2 to 3 feet high, and of a diameter of 25 feet. It is probably sepulchral, and has been disturbed. — "Visited, 16th October, 1909. llUitstrated, figure 18.] 62 ROYAL COMMISSION ON .ANCIENT MONrMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSniRE : Parish ol LEIGHTON. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified — Dykes). 303. Offa's Dyke (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.E., 24 S.W., and 30 N.E.). The dvke touches this parish from the south at the point where the parish impinges upon that of Eorden, the dyke forming the boundary of the two parishes. It runs through the grounds of Leighton Hall with a slight eastward trend, until it oomes close to a pool called Offa's Pool on the southern edge of Roundabout Planta- tion. From here it becomes indistinct, but it must have swerved a little to the west, as it is again found a few yards behind the \acarage, and, with a direct northern course, leaves the parish for that of Hope —Visited, 19th October, 1909. It will be described as a whole later on. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 304. Old Building (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.E.; lat. 52° 38' 43", long. 3° 7' 2"). A spot immediately behind Chm-ch Lodge is, in the Tithe map of 1844, styled 'Site of Old Building,' but nothing is now appaj-ent. — Visited, 16th October, 1909. Division VII (Finds). 305. In the latter end of the 18th century a carnedd upon Cefn Digoll was opened; half calcined human bones, and others of an animal " of the reindeer species," are reported to have been met with. Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 428, from the Cam- brian Quarterly Magazine, 1829, i, 450. Parish of LLANBRYNMAIR. Division la (Tumuli). 306. Tumulus (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 N.E.; lat. 52° 37' 27", long. 3° 34' 40"). A small circular tumulus, on a wild and desolate moorland called Ffridd Pwll y Warthol. It measures no more than 3 feet in height, and 33 feet in circumference. It has been opened. In the neighbourhood is the homestead of Cwm Carnedd.— Visited, 12th May, 1910. 307. Tumulus (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 20 S.E.; lat. 52° 37' 53", long. 3° 35' 55"). A circular, heather-covered tumulus, at an altitude of 1,250 feet, on Ffridd Cwm y ffynnon. It measures 150 feet in circumference at its base, and has a height of 6 feet. It has no appearance of having been opened. About 50 yards to the north of the tumulus is an old stone boundary wall ; to the east of it a modern wire boundary fence. — Visited, 19th October, 1910. Division I (Cairns and Circles).* The group of remains which occupies the level summit of the hill called Newydd Fj'nyddog comprises a cairn circle and two other circles, all overlooking the valley of the little river laen. The stones of which the circles are composed are of the local Cambrian system, about half of them (including the larger stones of the prin- cipal circle) are evidently drift boulders, while others appear to have been detached from an exposed outcrop. A few, more particularly those of the cairn circle, appear to have been roughly shaped. * This description has been contributed by Lient.-Col. W. LI. Morgan, R.E., one of the Commissioners. IXVEXTORY OF THE COtSTY OF MOXTGOMEHY. 63 Parish of LLANBETNMAIE. There is strong evidence of drift on the plateau, though at the present time no scattered boulders are to be seen ; but it is more than probable that such have been removed in years past, for in a quarry on the opposite side of the small valley to the south, a well defined line of boulders are clearly traceable lying a few feet below the present surface, above a considerable thickness of drift overlying the Cambrian rocks. 308. The principal circle is called Cerrig Gaerau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 S.W. ; lat. 52° 35' 27", long. 3° 37' 12"). This circle is now represented by eight stones only, denoted in alphabetical order, beginning at the east, as follows : — A. 3' X 4' G" X r 6" B. 3' 6" X 4' 6" X 6" to 1' 0" C. 1' 6" to 2' 6" X 5' 0" X r O"' D. 2' 3" X 5' 0" X 2' 0" E. 2' 8" X 3' 9" X 1' 0" F. 2' 0" X 4' 0" X V 6" G. H. 4' 6" X 6' " X 2' 6" The stones are well aligned on the circumference of a circle of about 62 feet in diameter. They are now prostrate, their length (excepting the great northern stone H) lying away from the centre of the circle. It is probable that with the exception of stone C, they have fallen outwards, or have been purposely overthrown. This latter hypothesis would account for the irregular outline of the circle, the stones D and F lying slightly out of what may be supposed to be their original position. The stone C differs from the others, as the inner edge is perceptibly narrower than the outer ; consequently it would have fallen inwards, in which case — unless, possibly, the others also fell inwards — it is much out of the line of the circle. The stone G is also out of line, lying as it does at a considerable angle to the others, as if it had been tampered with. The stones C, D, E and F lie fairly well spaced, being 12 feet 9 inches, 13 feet 6 inches and 11 feet apart, and thus giving an average distance of a little over 12 feet as the intervening space between each. The distances between A and B, and B and C are 22 feet 6 inches and 25 feet respectively, thus making it probable that there are two stones missing. G, H and A are 56 feet and 51 feet apart, so that five or six stones would be required to complete the circle with any degree of symmetry. It is impossible to recover the exact positions of these missing stones from the present aspect of the ground surface, but excavation would perhaps reveal smaller stones used to prop the base which may have been left in situ. With the exception of the northern stone H, whose outer edge rests on a smaller stone, the stones have all sunk into the ground. D, the highest, is 2 feet; B, the lowest, is 1 foot above the surface. H, the northern stone, is hj far the largest; it measures 6 feet in length, tangentical to the circle, 4 feet 6 inches in continuation of the radius and 2 feet 6 inches thick ; it is a drift boulder, and badly shaped. Many of the stones are well shaped, and are highly suitable for use as uprights. Around the circle the ground falls slightly to the south, but to the east, beyond the smaller circle next to be described, the sky line is 0°, the circle itself being rather less. No depression or other sign marks the centre of the circle. It may be concluded that the stones which are left were originally upright, and, with few exceptions, are fairly in position ; and that in their present conditions they have been undisturbed for many years. 309. Lied Croen yr Ych. ' the Width of the Ox's Hide ' (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet. Mont. 27 S.W. ; lat. 52° 35' 29", long. 3° 37' 5"). The second circle, called Lied Croen yr Ych,* stands 420 feet from the first : it has an azimuth of N. 62° E. The elevation'of the sky-line in the direction of the first * The tradition explanatory of this name is thus given by the late Mr. Richard Williams. F.R.Hist.S. : "Once upon a time two ' ychain bannawt;; ' (long-homed oxen) were separated, one beino: placed on the top of this mountain and the other on the top of the hill between Llanbrvnmair and Cemmes ; that the two bellowed to each other until both died of grief because of theii- separation, and that the one which died here was skinned, and his skin spread out over the spot where he was buried, this circle of stones being setup to mark its dimensions" ('Hist, of the Parish of Llanbrj-umair,' Monf. Coll., 1888, xxii, 308). ()t ROYAL COMMISSION OS ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE : Parish of LLANBRYNMAIB. circle is 1"; that ol' tlie circle itself a little less. There are five stones on the circle, and a sixth, though doubtl'ul, is practically within the circle. There is an outlying stone about 1'2 yards to the south-east, and another more to the south. The stones are all small, uniform in size, and appear to be drift boulders. Here again, the northern stone is the largest — 3 feet by 3 feet, and 1 foot above ground; the others are only 2 feet by *2 feet and 1 foot 6 inches above the surface. The stones are spread over a circle of 81 feet in diameter; the two stones on the eastern side are only 6 feet 6 inches apart, both equally on the circumference of the circle. If the present plan of the circle be compared with tlie Ordnance Survey of 1901, where the then position of the stones is plainly laid down, it will be evident that there is a considerable discrepancy. There are five stones to the north, and one very near the centre, but the positions given to the five stones do not correspond with those we now see, nor does the diameter of the circle. It may be concluded that it has been so altered, that, though it occupies the approximate site, the circle as it stands is less than ten years old.* 310. Cairn, locally called Yr Allor, 'the Altar' (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 S.W.; lat. 52° 35' 24", long. 3° 37' 34-5"). The cairn that once must have existed at this spot, and the cistvaen that it possibly enclosed, has been so completely obliterated that only a hole made by the excavators marks its site. The circle now to be described consists of the stones that formed the base of the cairn. It stands on the western extremity of the spur of Newydd Fynyddog plateau, about 1,315 feet above sea level, and sufficiently below the crest of the hill to be hidden from view of the low ground. It is 28 feet in diameter. It stands 1,470 feet from the first circle, with an azimuth of S. 77 W. The elevation of the sky-line beyond is 1°, that of the cairn itself 0°. The stones of the cairn-circle are many of them w-ell shaped, and some may have been roughly dressed; others are more weathered, apparently the debris of out-cropping rocks. They are twelve in number, one more is rather doubtful, and perhaps three are missing. The largest is 6 feet 3 inches by 4 feet 3 inches by 1 foot 2 inches; another is 5 feet 3 inches by 1 foot 5 inches by 1 foot 5 inches — all surface measurements; the others are somewhat smaller. It is questionable if many of these stones are in situ, they being placed along the circumference of the circle, and fairly close together. XAJ o J S 3 ■^ S e T 8 ^ y-aco^ I I ■ T I I I I I ■ I I I Fig. 20.— LL.\XBRYNMAIR : CIRCLES AND CAIRN ON NEWVDD FYNYDDOG (Nos. 308-10) ; plan. It is, however, characteristic of the cairn-circles that the stones are always close together, though those of this cairn seem to be unusually accurately placed. There are at least three other doubtful stones within the circle which some- what spoil the symmetry of the design. They may, however, be considered as the * The circles were visited by the Cambrian Ai-chicological Association on the 30th August, 1866. In the report of the visit {Arch. Gamb., 1866, III, xii, 540) it is stated that both were "nearly perfect." INVENTORY OF THE COUMY OF MONTGOMERY. 65 Parish of LLANBRTNMAIB. remains of an inner circle, or were perhaps moved on the destruction of the cistvaen, if the latter ever existed. The general conclusion regarding this cairn is that it is very doubtful whether it has not been much tampered with.* The astronomical observations derived from the different members of this group are worthy of careful consideration. The azimuth of the line joining the centres of the two circles, as derived from the Ordnance sheet of 1901, is X. 62 E. The elevation of the sky-line as observed is 0°. Latitude of circles, 52° 35'; longitude, 3° 37' W. Azimuth of Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10, about 6' — which can be set aside. The corresponding declination to this azimuth would be 17° N., and the sun would rise on this line on the 8th or 9th of May, and the 5th or 6th of August. It is possible that these circles were originally laid out to mark the sunrise of the great May Day festival which occurred somewhere about this date, though it was by no means universal, every tribe having its own calendar.! Transits of stars occurred across the line as follows : — Alcyone 150 a.d. and Andromeda 200 B.C.; but these transits can be ignored. The azimuth of the line from the first circle to the cairn, which would appear to be the principal line of the group, is S. 77° W. : the sky-line 1°|, and the sun would set on this line on the 1st March and 2nd or 3rd September. The star Phocyon set on this line in 1700 B.C., and again in 700 B.C., and Spica in 1200 B.C. If any value were attached to such crossings much more accurate observations would be needed, as in these cases even minutes are of moment. But the fact that the line points to the setting sun on St. David's day is so striking that any other transit is of minor interest. The same azimuth was observed in a small avenue at the Van (co. Glamorgan). Division II (Earthworks), sub-division D (Xorman-Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 311. Tafolwern (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 N.W. ; lat. 52° 36' 35", long. 3° 38' 15", described as ' Domen Fawr, tumulus '). Owner, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Ruabon; occupier, Mr. Rufus Owen, The Mill. The mound-and-bailey castle of the Welsh chieftain Owain Cyfeiliog {d. 1197). The mound occupies the promontory formed by the streams laen and Twymyn at the point of their junction. Its height from the water on either side is about 50 feet. Tlie summit of the mound is flat, and is practically circular, having an average diameter of 49 feet. The enclosure occupied the tiny spit of land between the streams, and to the north of the mound. A cottage has been built within the enclosure, and, with an adjacent corn mill, has probably had much to do with obscuring the line of the ditch, which is now hardly apparent. Though the mound is insignificant and the artificial defences are weak, the position is naturally one of considerable strength, being well advanced by about a mile from the hilly "country behind. The foundation charter of Vale Crucis Abbey was dated by Owain from his castle of Tafolwern. — Visited, 20th September, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 312. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 S.W. Ded : St. Mary. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Cyfeiliog; townships of Dolgadfan, Pennant, Rhiwsaeson, Tafolwern, Tirym}-nech. An edifice which, though much restored, retains many of its ancient features. It consists of a nave and chancel, and large projection on its northern side, some- * It i.s known a.s a matter of fact that this cairn wa.s the scene of some excavatin? work conducted by Mr. Richard Davie.s {Mijnyddog) over half-a-century a?o, and it is said that a cistvaen was discovered which contained some bones, dust and other relics. No account of the exploration appears to have been given in the local newspapers, and nothing is now known of the supposed finds. t The yearly variation of the sun's declination is .so small that it would be impossible to compute the age of the circle from any discrepancies which might be observed between the azimuth of the line at present, and that of declination 16° 20'. It would require the most accurate instruments, as well as the true position of the centre of the circles, which , in the case of the second circle, may be many feet out. X At this angle the combined effect of elevation and refraction is 35' -t", and as the obseivation is a sunset it would be a negative quantity. It has, however, been rejected, since the only table available will only read to degrees. 66 KOYAI. COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONl'MENTS IN WALES \NU MONMOl Til S 111 HE : Parish of LLANBRYNMAIR. thing hetweeu a transept and a north chapel. The piers dividing this annexe from the chancel and part of the nave are formed of immense tree trunks, the arches being triangular, and tied together with strong cross beams. The edifice would apf)oar to date from the early I'lth century, hut the wooden arcading was partially renewed in 1688. There are two plain pointed openings on either side of the altar, probably used for a piscina and an aumbry respectively. The font is circular, and jiroliablv ancient, perhaps of the 13th cciituf\ •; the base is modern. — Visited, 10th May, 1910. Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Camh., 1901, VI, i, 142. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 313. Roman Road. It is almost certain that a Roman road passed through the eastern parts of the parish, but it is nowhere to be seen upon the surface. " It passed by Sarn, and for some distance nearly parallel with the railway, then turning up between Ystrad Fawr and Ystrad Fach to Tirannon, over Sarn Gerrig to [the mining district of] Dylife, and along the skirts of Moel Fadian by the Forge to Machynlleth " (Mont. Coll., 1888, xxii, 313). 314. At Talerddig was a grange and chapel belonging to the Cistercian house of Strata Marcella. It is figured on Speed's map of 1610 as ' Talgareth Chap.,' and it has been conjectured that a site in the hamlet of Talerddig called ' Capel Maini ' may denote its position {Mont. Coll., 1871, v, 121). 315. Casiell y Gwynt (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 50". long. 3° 33' 9"). The name, ' castle of the winds,' is appropriate to the situation. 316. Carnedd Wen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 20 N.E.; lat. 52° 40' 33", long. 3° 35' 30"). 317. Carreg Bryn Sais (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 20 N.E.; lat. 52° 40' 16", long. 3° 34' 35"). A boulder at the point of junction of the three parishes of Llanbrynmair, Llanerfyl and Llangadfan. 318. Waen y Sarn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 20 S.E.; lat. 52° 38' 51", long. 3° 34' 12"). A small plantation about ^ mile south of Llyn (iwyddior, through which passes the boundary line of the parish. It is swampy, and may have been traversed by a rough causeway, of which there are now no indications. 319. Dol Gam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 9", long. 3° 38' 24"). Tithe Schedule, No. 600. There is no present indication of a cairn. The field immodiatelv to the east (Tithe Schedule, No. 601) is styled ' Cae brenin bren.' — Visited, 13th May, 1910. 320. Bryn y groes (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 15", long. 3° 38' 10"). 321. Cae garreg (2) (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 41", long. 3° 37' 37"; lat. 52° 36' 41", long. 3° 37' 28"). Tithe Schedule, Nos. 350 and 362. Two fields, divided by the main road; the first is occupied by the Independent Chapel cemetery, the second by St. John's INVENTOEY OF THE COrXTY OF MONTGOMERY. 67 Parish of LLANBEYNMAIR. Church. It is said that a coin was found in the former, which passed into the possession of the Rev. Samuel Roberts, ' S.R.,' and was by him sent to the British Museum.* 322. Cae y garnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27N.W.; lat. 52° 37' 13", long. 3° 38' 56"). Tithe Survey, No. 1295. 323. Cae y garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 27 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 19", long. 3° 36' 21"). Tithe Schedule, No. 1410. A field now divided into two, about 200 yards north-west of the Independent Chapel associated with the names of John, Samuel and William Roberts, and close to the Cambrian Railways line. 324. The field immediately adjoining the farm house of Gelli, at the foot of the hill Newydd Fynyddog, and to the north of the dwelling, is called ' Cae Garn Mawr ' in the Tithe Survey, No. 1202. There are no signs of a cairn within the field, and the allusion is probably to the important cairn on the brow of the hill, the prin- cipal remains of which are the circle of stones above described. Division VII (Finds). 325. Stone Celt. A. fine specimen, discovered on the farm of Gelli dywyll. Now in the British Museum. 32(). Quern. Found in the churchyard when digging a grave. Exhibited at the Cambrian Archaeological Association's meeting at Machynlleth in 1866 (Arch. Camb., 1866, III, xii, 544). Parisli of LLANDINAM. Division la (Tumuli). 327. Tumulus (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 S.E.; lat. 52° 25' 12", long. 3° 26' 8"). Owner, Mr. Evan Jones, Pant y dwr stores, Rhayader; occupier, Mr. John Davies. A tumulus on the Pegwn Mawr end of the Rhydd Hywel upland, at an altitude of 1,920 feet. In Mont. Coll., 1868, i, 230, this tumulus is noted as " a low mound, some 56 yards in circumference, and three feet in elevation, upon which was erected some 25 or 30 years ago, for the purposes of triangulation, a second mound of conical shape upon a stone foundation. This has, within the past years, been reduced from its original height of 16 feet to an elevation of 9 feet. In its centre is a pole some 6 yards long. Mr. Davies, road man to the Newtown and Llanidloes District Council, who acted as guide for the present inspection, remembers assisting his father in piling upon it another heap of stones. In sinking a pit on the tumulus in which to fix a pole, they came upon a skull and other human bones, which were again buried in the heap of stones. Mr. Davies further described this tumulus as made of stones and earth, and as being lower now than it formerly was. — Visited, 20th October, 1910. 328. Tumulus, Pegwn Fach (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 S.E. ; lat. 52° 24' 50", long. 3° 26' 39"). A tunuilus which in 1868 is described (Mont. Coll., i, 230) as "being about 70 yards in circumference and 7 feet in elevation," but is now considerably reduced. It stands on the dreary upland of Waun Las, at 1,862 feet above Ordnance datum, and is a little over half-a-mile south-west of the tumulus called Pegwn Mawr. — Visited, 20th October, 1910. * Tf such a circumstance occurred the coin was not presented fo the British Mu.seum. I 2 68 HOYAI. COMMISSION ON ANCIKNT MONUMENTS IN WALES ASU MOXMOVTHSIIIHE I Parish of LLANDINAM. 32l». Domen cirlu (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 N.E.; hit. 52° 26' 3", long. 3° 26' l.j"). Owner, the Rev. C. J. liowen, Wroot rectory, Doncaster. A low mound placed at an altitude of 1,824 feet, in the township of Dethenydd, and one mile west of the Radnorshire boundary. In 1868 it is described as a " cir- cular mound, about 52 yards in circumference, and 5 feet in height " {Mont. Coll., 1868, i, 231). Its exposed position has further told upon it, so that it is now diffi- cult to locate. It does not appear to have been opened.- -Visited, 20th October, 1910. 330. Cairn, Crugyn Llwyd or Crugyn Terfyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 S.E. : lat. 52° 24' 20", long. 3° 26' 5"). A stone mound standing on the limits of the parishes of Llaiidinam (Mont- gomeryshire) and Llananno (Radnorshire). It has been almost obliterated, and though marked on the Ordnance sheet as an antiquity, may have been erected as a boundary mark. See MonL Coll., 1868, i, 230.— Visited, 20th October, 1010. 331. Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 S.E. : lat. 52° 27' 27", long. 3° 25' 9"). A cairn, now completely destroyed, probably during the construction of a modern wire fence which passes over the site. The cairn would appear to have been roughly circular, with an average diameter of 25 feet. It is, however, described by a writer in Arch. Carnh., 1868, III, xiv, 23 (copied into Mont. Coll., 1868, i, 231), as ''an oblong mound, measuring 13 yards by 5, and about 3 feet in elevation." — Visited, 8th July, 1910. Division II (E.-^rthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 332. Y Gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 S.E. ; lat. 52° 28' 42", long. 3° 27' 2"). Owner, Mr. David Davies, M.P., Llandinam; occupier, Mr. Thomas Morgan. A camp situated at a height of 950 feet above Ordnance datum on the farm of Y Gaer, about three-quarters of a mile w-est of the village of Llandinam, and on the left bank ot the Se\ern. The house and farm buildings stand within the area of the ancient camp, with the result that most of its features have disappeared, and those that have survived are now difficult to understand. Pennant (Tours (1784), ii, 377; (1810) iii, 195; ed. Rhys, iii, 184) describes it as "a pentagonal camp of great strength," and terms it " a British post surrounded by a number of fosses, from one to five, as the strength or weakness of the parts required." On either side of the house slight traces of ramparts are visible; the rampart to the west of the house and inmicdiately behind it, running east and west for a distance of 30 feet, and having a present height of 8 feet. A field 300 yards to the south of the camp is in the Titlie Schedule, No. 533, called ' Cae Dirge," a name not now known on the farm.— Visited, 14th October, 1910. 330. Eartllworl< (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 N.E., lat. 52° 26' 42", long. 3° 27' 40"). Owner, Mrs. Pryce Davies, Tremynfa, Llanidloes. A low curved rampart on a field known as ' Lletty,' at the foot of Coed y gaer hill, and one-third of a mile north-west of a ford at Dolffin cottages over Feinion Brook. Through this field and over the rampart runs a footpath to Dolwen farm house, a continuation of the narrow lane from Dolffin. The rampart, 4 feet high and 160 feet in length, runs north-west and south-east, and within its curve is a low circular mound, 20 feet in circumference at base, now hardly descernible in the rushes and bog in which it stands. A ditch barely 2 feet in width, in w-hich rushes also freely grow, remains on the outer side of the rampart. Slight traces of an entrance, 4 feet wide, are visible where the footpath bisects the rampart. — Visited 20lh October, 1910. 334. Cefn Carnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E.; lat. 52° 29' 53", long. 3° 27' 0"). Owner, Mr. David Davies, M.P., Llandinam. A fine camp covering an external area of about 25 acres. In shape it is a long oval, with an interior length of about 1,500 feet and a maximum breadth of 300 feet. The summit of the hill is fairly flat at the 900 feet contour. On the long north-western face are three ramparts w-ith corresponding outer ditches, but the latter by no means occupy the intervening area. The outermost ditch is carried INVENTORY OF THE COUXTY OF MONTGOMERY. 69 Parish of LLANDINAM. right round the northern end of the camp, but is continued only for about two-thirds of the north-western face. Four hundred feet from the southern termination a bank three feet high crosses the camp diagonally, completely cutting off the slightly higher ground at that end from the larger and gently-sloping northern area. This traverse was probably part of the original plan, as the banks are continued without a break. The south-eastern face, which falls abruptly, was defended by only one bank. The principal entrance was at the northern apex, and was incurved. The Severn flows at the foot of the hill upon which the camp is placed, and this has led some antiquaries to regard the position as the scene of the defeat of Caratacos. — Visited, 22nd Sep- tember, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division D (Castle mounts, without enclosures). 335. Bronfehi] Mound (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E., marked • Tumulus ' ; lat. 52° 30' 38", long. 3° 23' 49"). Owner, the Rev. Herbert Davies, Clapton ; occupier, Mr. W. Perceval Wilson. A mound erected upon a shelf of rising ground overlooking the valley of the Severn, and about \ mile direct east of Moat Lane Junction on the Cambrian Rail- ways. It is 30 feet in height, and the same in diameter at the summit. It possesses no defence beyond the extreme abruptness of the slope, which has been artificially increased, and it is quite open to the rough and rising ground in its rear. An accommodation road, chiefly an ancient trackway, passes across the front of the mound on its way up the hill, and there is an earthen rampart at the foot of the slope which might have been intended for defensive purposes, but there is nothing to connect it with the mound. There is no trace of a moat, but the open ground behind is swampy. Though less than a mile in a direct line from the fine Norman- Welsh position known as the Moat (No. 336), the latter is hidden from it hy a projecting hill. Except in position, it possesses considerable affinities with the mound at Aber- hafesp on the other bank of the Severn, and is altogether so indefinite that excavation alone can settle its true character. — Visited, 10th September, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman- Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 336. The Moat (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E. ; lat. 52° 30' 11", long. 3° 24' 17"). Owner, Mr. D. Davies, Dolhafren; occupier, Mr. Thomas Jones. A fairly perfect example of the mound-and-bailey type of earthen defence. ,,,„.„„„i,„"H""i'"l' "" "" """"""" "'''■""mmmmwmmmnHm !*\>iii^ <- Fig. 21 .—LLANDINAM: THE MOAT, MOAT LANE (No. 336); plan. The entire position consists of a mound with its surrounding moat (which in this 70 HOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS l.N WALES AND MOXMOl 1 IISIURE : Parish of LLANDINAM. instance was wet) and an inner and an outer enclosure. The works occupy the lower slope of the hilly ground on the southern bank of the Severn, and are placed almost exactly north and south. The mound is on the highest point of the enclosure. It is about 45 feet in height, with a circumference of 175 yards at the ground level. The moat is about 25 feet wide, and 12 feet deep. The mound is placed at the southern end of tlie position; from each end of its northern side extends a bank for a distance of 200 foet. rounding off to an entrance of about 10 feet. Beyond this enclosure is a similar but larger enclosure, the banks extending nearly 200 yards before they circle round and meet. — Visited, 25th July, 1910. [Illuglraied, figures 22 and 23.] Division II (E.\iithworks), sub-division X (Miscell.'Vneous). 337. The Giant's Grave (C in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 S.E.; lat. 52° 27' 525", long. 3° 24' 25"). A double dyke, probably constructed as a line of demarcation across the broad expanse of moorland which constitutes much of the high ground forming this immense parish. The earthwork consists of a ditch with a dyke upon either side, the dyke to the north of the ditch being throughout of greater height and breadth than that to the south. The dykes are not continuous throughout, though the regular line of the ditch makes it probable that they were originally unbroken. The southern dyke is nmch more disconnected, and here and there appears as though it had not been constructed. The ditch is always on the south side of the principal dyke, and is about 3 feet deep from the surface level. It is dillicult to calculate the extreme length of the work, owing to the gaps in it, but it would appear to have extended for about one-fourth of a mile. Its direction is from north to sf)uth, but with a slight alternate western and eastern trend. At its northern end it seems to start up from the moorland without natural cause, though it may originally have extended to one of the small feeders of the Finnant brook. Its southern end can be traced down the upper slopes of the precipitous sides of Nant y Dygwm. The old road across the mountain bisects it at a point about midway in its course, and at the point of bisection the heaped up ends of the dykes appear to show that they have been cut through to give passage to the later road. — Visited, 8th July, 1910. An account of this 'work in Arch. Cnmh., 1868, III. xiv, 23, copied into Mont. Coll., 1868, i, 231, speaks of it as "two elongated mounds or entrenchments which cross each other at right angles in the form of a star," and makes its length to be no more than 21 yards. Either the term ' Giant's Grave' is borne by two very different monuments, or the description just quoted is inaccurate. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 338. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E.). Ded : St. Llonio. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Arwystli; townships of Tre'r llan, Dethenydd, Esgaer maen, Gwernerin, Trewythen, Maesmawr, Carnedd, Hengynwydd, Rhydfaes. A much-restored church, which has lost mo.st of its medieval character. The present structure is doubtless on the old foundations, but most of its architectural features are modern. The tower, though restored, has been least changed; it is capped with a wooden belfry of the usual local type. The south door is pointed, but the mouldings are early Perpendicular. A poor and comparatively modern copy of a 15th-century carved oak triptych, which served as a reredos, has been removed to the west end of the church. The font is of the 15th century. — Visited, 10th September, 1909. Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1901, VI, i, 143. Fig. 2'2.— LLAXDINAM: THK MdAT, .MoA'l' LANE (No. 3:3(5) ; SHOWIXG ENTRANCE TO INNER BAILEY. EiG. 2o.— LLAXUINAM; TIJE MOA'l', MuAT LANK (Xo. ;;:;6); SHOW INC SI.oi'K OF .MOUND. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 71 Parish of LLANDINAM. 339. Capel Banhadlog* (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 S.W.). A small chapel-of-ease stationed in a sequestered vale at the southern end of this extensive parish, and within a few hundred yards of the county of Radnor. The present structure dates from the year 1826; it is a small rectangular building, with no pretensions to any features of architectural interest or of antiquity. The font is a small fluted pillar with the top hollowed out for the bowl; it is dated 1822. The flagstone at the threshold is a tombstone that has been adapted to its present purpose; its date is — 17, probably 1717. — Visited, 7th July, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 340. Roman Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.E.). The boundary of the parish of Llandinam passes within a hundred yards of the recognised Roman station of Caersws, and takes in the land to the north of some of the bends of the Severn. As the course of the Roman road from Newtowm to Caersws is known to have followed the southern side of the river, it is clear that the road beyond Caersws must pass through the parish of Llandinam. The Ordnance sheet shows it as taking its course through the grounds of Maesmawr Hall, but no absolute evidence of the uncovering of the road or the discovery of finds is forth- coming. 341. Cross Farm (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 N.W.; lat. 52° 25' 32", long. 3° 29' 45"). On the moorland between the parishes of Llandinam and Llangurig, and probably so called from a wayside cross which directed travellers their way over the moor. 342. Carreg Iwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 S.E.; lat. 52° 24' 59", long. 3° 27' 47"). A field on the farm of Hafod fraith, and adjoining the farmstead on the east. Tithe Schedule, No. 1084. 343. Castle Hill (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 S.E.; lat. 52° 25' 1", long. 3° 27' 1"). Tithe Schedule, No. 1152. 344. Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 48 N.W.; lat. 52° 25' 50", long. 3° 28' 37"). Tithe Schedule, No. 1451, where it is styled ' Castell y waun.' ' Waun ' is the name of a farm a quarter of a mile to the south-west. 345. Sam meadow (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.; lat. 52° 30' 10", long. 3° 28' 21"). Tithe Schedule, No. 2361. Abuts upon the now (for passenger traffic) disused Van Railway, and adjoins the subject of the next entry. There are no external evidences of a paved road. — Visited, 13th July, 1910. 346. Cae Cam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.; lat. 52° 30' 7-5", long. 3° 28' 9"). Tithe Survey, No. 2385. There are no present indications of a cairn. * This little structure is best approached from Tyhvch, where is a railway station. The cliurch is probably the successor to a small grange chapel established bj' the monks of Wigmore Abbey, who had property in the neighbourhood, the gi-ant of Llewelyn ap Gruffudd, the last prince of Gwynedd (see British Museum Harley MS. 1240 ; -4 Catalogue of the MSS. relating to Wales in tke British Museum (^Hon. Society of Cymmrodorion), i, 230). About 300 yards directly south of the chapel is a field (now divided into two) ■which is styled in the Tithe Schedule (Nos. 63 and 65) ' Cae fynnoa y saint.' 72 EOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOn HSIIIRE : Parish of LLANDINAM. 347. Cae Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E.; kt. 52° 29' 29", long. 3° 25' 39"). A mound at the north-western corner of the grounds of Plas Dinam which has lost whatever individual features it may once have possessed. Tithe Schedule, No. 3104.— Visited, 8th October, 1910. 348. Cae Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E.; lat. 52° 30' 9", long. 3° 25' 55"). Tithe Schedule, No. 2701. The field adjoining Llandinam Tlall to the north. There is now no indication of a mound. — Vi.sited, 8th October, 1910. 349. Cae claw del bach, cae clawcld ucha, cae clawdd iss^ (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E.; lat. 52° 30' 28" and 24", 52° 30' 30", long. 3° 25' 6" and 2'", 3° 24' 48"). Two fields I)plonging to Maesmawr (near Moat Lane mound castle. No. 336). Tithe Survey, Nos. 3278 and 3279. ' Cae clawdd bach,' adjoining the homestead, with 3279 abutting upon the railway line; together with Nos. 3500, ' Cae Clawdd ucha,' and 3501, ' Cae Clawdd issa,' now one plot of ground forming the angle made by the railway to Machynlleth with that to Llanidloes, and 3501 containing the present engine shed. Prior to the construction of the railways it is probable that there existed an earthen bank along the line here indicated, which may have had some connection with the mound-and-bailey castle. 350. Upper camp field, Lower camp field (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E.; lat. 52° 29' 32" and 34", long. 3° 24' 16" and 11").- Two closes in the district called Little London. Tithe Schedule, Nos. 3247 and 3245. The name has probably no antiquarian significance. — Visited, 8th July, 1910. 351. Cae Castell y gorse (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.E. ; lat. 52° 29' 28", long. 3° 24' 37"). Tithe Schedule, No. 2759. Probably a nom d'occasion. — Visited, 8th July, 1910. 352. Ffridd Esgair y Maen is mentioned in a suit in the Exchequer of Pleas, 16th James I {Mont. Coll., 1800, xxix, 52). The most southerly township of Llandinam parish is Esgair y Maen (Ord. sheets, 48 S.W. and 52 N.W.), but the Ffridd is described as being in the neighbouring township of Dethenydd. There appear to be no traditions of the pillar-stone that gave its name to the district. Division VII (Finds). 353. Bronze Celt. 4i inches by 1^ inches at the broadest part. Found in the year 1852, in a field called Fraithwen,* on the farm of Garthfawr, about 2^ inches below the surface. Now in the Welshpool Museum. 354. Bronze Spear head. Now in the Welshpool Museum. 355. " Near the bridge over the Severn to Caersws an urn containing ashes was discovered about 30 years ago" (Lewis, Toj). Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.n. ' Llandinam '). • In Mont. Coll., 1872, V, xxvi, where the presentation of this object to the Welshpool Museum is recorded, the place of discovery is called Fraithwen. The name in the Tithe Survey (No. 778) is Fridd INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 73 Parish of LLANDINAM. Coins. 356. Silver (3), of one of the Edwards, one broken and all much defaced, found in the parish in 1840. 357. Silver penny, Ed. II — London mint. 358. Shilling of Elizabeth. 359. Silver coin, 'Carolus : Dei : Gra : Dux : Burg : Com : Fla : ' The three latter were found about 1845. All the coins are in the Welshpool Museum. Parish of LLANDRINIO. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 360. The Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 0", long. 3° 6' 9"). Owner, Major W. C. Wingfield; occupier, Mr. F. Temple, Rhysnant, Llandysilio, Llanymynech. A moimd standing on a slight eminence about 250 yards direct south of Rhysnant Hall, in the ancient township of Trederwen Feibion Gwnwas. In form it is nearly circular, with a diameter of about 60 feet. The centre has been hollowed out, and it has been so altered that its distinctive character has been altogether lost. Mont. Coll., Oct., 1894, xxviii, 24.— Visited, 21st April, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman- Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 361. Domen Gastell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W. ; lat. 52° 44' 36", long. 3° 2' 43"). An earthwork that would seem to have been of the mound-and-bailey type, situated about 300 yards south of the rectory, on the glebe field called the Belan — a name often given to an artificial eminence — and on the banks of the Severn. When the river was embanked at this spot the mound was utilised for the embank- ment. The enclosure lay to the north, and is still faintly traceable. Mont. Coll., Oct. 1894, xxviii, 24, with diagram.— Visited, 19th October, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 362. CrOSSWOOd Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W. ; lat. 52° 45' 1", long. 3° 4' 9"). Owner, Miss Ridge, Llandysilio; occupier, Mr. Thomas Evans, Little Rhos, Llandrinio. This camp has been cut into two parts by the road from the village of Llan- drinio to Mardy Bridge, and its southern features ahnost wholly removed. On the north side of the roadway it consists of an earthen bank, of crescent form, the road forming the chord of the arc. The bank can be faintly traced on the south side of the road, where there is also a spring of water. So little of it now remains that it is impossible to determine its original character, or to be even certain that it was intended for a defensive structure. Mont. Coll., Oct., 1894, xxviii, 24, with plan.— Visited, 16th April, 1910. 363. Offa's Dyke (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W., 16 N.W.). "Although in this parish it has been largely levelled for agricultural pur- poses, it may be traced quite easily from Llandysilio Rectory through the Four Crosses, across by the Rhos, and on by the Nethe to the Severn. It is in places 74 ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONFMENTS IX WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIBE : Parish of LLANDRINIO. many feet wide and high, while in other plaecs it is as much as 12 feet in peipen- dicular height from the bottom of the ditch to the top of its bank " [Mont. Coll., Oct. 1894, xxviii, 2'S). ' Clawdd Meadow" (Tithe Schcthile, No. 505) and two fields called 'Tlie Clawdd' (Tithe Schedule, Nos. 502 and 50;i), are portions of Rhos Royal Farm, and abut uj^on the Dyke. The dyke will be described as a whole at a later stage. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). o64. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.). Ded : St. Trinio. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Pool; townships of Llan, Trederwen Feibion Gwnwas, Penthryn (Penthryn Fawr, Penthryn Fechan, and Llannerch keela or celi). An edifice which is claimed to contain some relics of the " early Welsh-Mercian period." The building has certain features which are Norman. In the main it is Decorated and Perpendicular, with still more recent additions. The font has been described as pre-Norman, but is more likely late in the Norman style. The church has been excellently restored at dilTerent periods in the last century. In the porch are two fragments of stonework, bearing the characteristic Celtic cable and fret patterns; they are conjectured to be pieces of the churchyard cross. The churchyard is of great extent, and is known to have been even greater, and it has been asserted that the church possessed right of sanctuary within it. The close south of it is called ' Gwerglodd y Saint,' ' the Saint's Meadow.'— Visited, 10th October, 1909. There is a good account of the church and parish, with illustrations, in Mont. Coll., May, lh95, xxviii, 177. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph (1874), 740. Glynne, 'Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1885, V, ii, 40. An inventory of the registers, plate and parish documents in .Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908. xxxv, 69. [Illustrated, figures 24 and 25.] Division V (Miscellaneous — Holy Wells, etc.). 365. Trir)ity Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 N.W. ; lat. 52° 44' 7", long. 30 5' 47"). Owner, Mr. W. R. O. Kynaston-Hardwicke, Ellesmere; occupier, Mr. S. Carsley, The Grange, Arddleen. Close to Arddleen school. Not now in existence as a public well, but tra- ditions exist of public assemblages on Trinity Sunday for the purpose of drinking its waters, which were sweetened with sugar. — Visited, 16th April, 1910. 366. Nicholas Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 16 N.W.; lat. 52° 44' 16", long. 30 4/ 54.'/^ Owner, Mr. C. E. Bebb, Marton Grange, Baschurch, Salop; occu- pier, Mr. T. A. Wilhams, Trederwen Farm, Llandrinio. On Trederwen Farm ; formerly in much repute. It now supplies the house. 367. Rhysnant Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 3", long. 3° 6' 4"). Owner, Major W. C. Wingfield; occupier, Mr. F. Temple, Rhysnant, Llandysilio, Llanymynech. 368. Bennion s Well (6 in. Ord. Sui-v. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.). Owner, Mr. C. Kempster, Riverside, Llansantffraid ; occupier, Mr. S. Lewis, Maerdy Faim, i^landrinio. In a field called ' Well Meadow ' approached through Maerdy farm yard. It does not appear to have been a holy well. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 369. Ancient Roads (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.). The section of an ancient paved road is visible on the lawn in front of Llan- drinio Hall, and the road is continued eastwards to the old ferry over the Fig. -24.— LLAXDRINIO : THE PAEISH CHrECH (No. 364)). EXTERIOR, SHOWING XORMAX ARCH. Fig. 25.— LLANDRINIO : THE PARISH CHURCH (No. 364). FONT. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 75 Parish of LLANDRINIO. Severn, about 40 yards below the present Llandrinio Bridge. The road is formed of cobbles, forming a slight ridge about 3 feet wide. The existence of another road, which it has been suggested might be Roman, is supposed to be marked by the place- names ' Royal ' (found in the parish registers as ' Rhewl,' i.e., ' Yr Heol ' — ' the Street '), and ' Sam wen.' Mont. Coll., October, 1894, xxviii, 19. Other ancient roads are mentioned, ih., 48. 370. Cae Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.E.; lat. 52° 44' 31", long. 3° 7' 4"). A field so called in the Tithe Schedule (No. 121). 371. Near Sarn Burrows, Far Sarn Burrows (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.E.; lat. 52° 44' 52" and 52", long. 3° 7' 29" and 25"). Two fields on Cefn Llenydd Farm (Tithe Schedule, Nos. 18 and 19). '"Sam Aber-ros', the causeway over the Rhos brook on the old pack-horse road from Welsh- pool through Sarney to the ford at Pentreheylyn, and on to Oswestry " (Mont. Coll., May, 1895, xxviii, 277). 372. Stone Field, Cae Stone (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.E.; lat. 52° 44' 54", long. 3° 6' 49"). A field on Cefn Llenydd Farm (Tithe Schedule, No. 29). 373. Maes y Groes (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.). A field adjoining Pinfold Farm. It is not named in the Tithe Survey, but occurs in the Terrier of 1630 as "Maes y Groat," and in the Terrier of 1730 correctly. It also appears in a deed of 1905. Mont. Coll., Dec, 1909, xxxv, 173. Division VII (Finds). 374. Stone Celt — now in the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford. Illustrated in Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 434. 375. Sword — part of, medieval; found in Offa's Dyke; in the Welshpool Museum. Parish of LLANDYSILIO. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 376. Brynmawr Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 49", long. 3° 6' 37"). Owner, Mr. Noel P. J. Turner, Sylfaen, Welshpool. . A circular camp occupying the summit of a conspicuous hill now covered with a dense plantation. The interior of the camp has an area of about one acre. The only defences are a shallow ditch to which there is a gentle fall of about 5 feet, and insignificant earthen banks on either side of the ditch. Though well placed for observation the position is easily assailable, and the enclosure was probably intended for the folding of cattle. It is said that pieces of feldspar are sometimes picked up near the summit of the hill, which stone must have been brought from a distance {Mont. Coll., 1900, xxxi, 277, with plan).— Visited, 21st April, 1910. Division II (E.-^rthworks), sub-division X (Uncl.^ssified — Dykes). 377. Offa's Dyke (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.). The dyke passes through this parish entering it from the south a few yards beyond the house called Neath. For part of its course it constitutes the boundary K2 /6 ROYAL COMMISSION OX ANCIENT MONUMENTS IX WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of LLANDYSILIO. between this parish and the parish of Llandrinio. It is traceable nearly all the way to the Yyrnwy, on the other side of wliich it enters the Shropshire parish of Llanymynech. It will be described as a whole at a later stage. A ' Maes y Clawdd " is mentioned in a deed of the year 1582 (Mont. Coll., 1902, xxxiii, 199); and ' the Dytche or Clawdd in Rhandre Gvnwvn ' in a document of 1588 {ib., 193). Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 378. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.). Ded : St. Tysilio. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Pool; townships of Domgay, Haughton, Rhandir Gynwen, Rhysnant. The cliurcli is wholly modern, having being entirely rebuilt in 1868. The sundial near the south door is of the year 1760. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph (1874), 745; Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1885, V, ii, 41. An inventory of the registers, church plate and parochial documents is in Mont. Coll., January, 1908, xxxv, 73. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 379. Sam Wen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.E.). The name of a brook in this parish, running into the river Vyrnwy near Sychbwll. There are said to be traces of a paved pack-horse trackway which is visible at intervals to the old ferry over the river Vyrnwy at Cymmerau. The dis- trict of Sarn wen is in the parish of Llandrinio, l)iit on the border of Llandysilio. 380. The Street (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.). This is a length of about 300 yards of the main road immediately south of the parish church. 361. The City (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.). A small district in the south of the parish. The name appears in the Tithe Schedule, No. 441, to a field, lat. 52° 45' 27", long. 3° 4' 35". The piece of land opposite to Sarn Wen House in the City is, in the Tithe Schedule, No. 439, called ' Prince's Yard,' and the oak tree in the field is called ' Prince's Oak.' 382. Cae Gawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 00", long. 3° 5' 48"). A field on Rhysnant farm ; Tithe Schedule, No. 200. 383. Stockham fawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 11 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 47" and 50", long. 3° 5' 38" and 41"). Two fields near Pentre Heylin Hall; Tithe Schedule, Nos. 223 and 222. Division VII (Finds). 384. Stone. — Spindlewhorl, found near Pentre Heylin. In the Welshpool Museum. Parish of LLANDYSSIL. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 385. Camp on Cefn Han Farm (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E. ; lat. 52° 32' 41", long. 3° 10' 17"). Owner, Mr. C. S. Pryce, solicitor, Montgomer}- ; occupier, Mr. William Corfield. A small camp crowning the summit of a rounded hill, which is itself the centre of an amphitheatre of hills. The camp forms an irregular square of a little INVEXTORT OF THE COrXTY OF MOXTGOMERV. 77 Parish of LLANDYSSIL. over an acre in extent, with its longer axis pointing N. and S. The south-western angle is clearly marked. The ditch is perceptible on all sides, though nearly obliterated on the northern slope, and on the west, where a small plantation now exists, it has almost altogether vanished. The side most open to attack was the south-eastern, and there are here traces of a second ditch which may have been intended to protect the entrance. There are no signs of internal or external ramparts, and the whole has been so worked down that accurate measurements are impossible. — Visited, 19th August, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Xorman-Welsh mounts, WITH enclosures). 386. Bryn derwen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 X'.W.; lat. 52° 32' 54", long. 3° 14' 0"). A mound-and-bailey castle situated upon the southern bank of the Severn, a little over 4 miles north of Newtown, the main road from which place to Welshpool intersects the camp. The mound has been levelled, and its moat has been filled, doubtless with the materials of the mound which it encircled, and the outer works of the castle have been so broken down as to render the original plan difficult of compre- hension. The entire work extended along the river side for a distance of 250 yards, the liank rising to an average height of about 30 feet. The mound was placed at the northernmost corner of the enclosure, resting directly upon the river. The vallum surrounding the first court, which would appear to have been roughly square, probably started from the northernmost point of the moat, as its eastern course can be traced for a few yards. Its southern direction is indeterminable, but it becomes plain as it approaches the river. Within the enclosure, and doubtless originally in direct communication with the moat, is a crescent -shaped bank, the purpose of which is now uncertain. The entrance from the outer l)ailey would appear to have been near the river side, but the construction of the high road already mentioned has obliterated the defences at this point. An outer court is faintly traceable. — Visited, 23rd June, 1909. Mont. Coll., 1877, X, 342, with plan and section (G. T. Clark). 387. Cefn Bryntalch (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.W.; lat. 52^^ 33' 30", long. 3° 13' 0"). Owner and occupier, Mr. R. E. Jones). A mound-and-bailey castle situated upon a height of 500 feet, one mile north- east of the remains of the same period at Bryn derwen in this parish. The mound rises 60 feet from the bottom of the fosse. Its summit is an oval of 100 feet by 85 feet, the greater length being from X.E. to S.W. The ground sinks towards the centre of the mound to an extent of 3 or 4 feet. On the south-western sicle, where it faces the bailey, the curve is flattened and becomes almost a straight line. The fosse is in excellent preservation, except upon the eastern side, where it has been slightly interfered with by the grounds of the modern residence. The ditch on its outer side is from 15 to 20 feet to the top of the rampart. The rampart itself rises from 3 to 4 feet, and has a gentle external slope of about one in four. On the northern and western sides the ground falls away to the plain of the Severn, which river is about half-a-mile distant. The bailey extends to the south-west for a distance of 150 feet, occupying an area about equal to that of the mound and its ditch. It is surrounded on three sides with a deep fosse connected with the fosse surrounding the mound. The mound was reached from the bailey by a passage-way 16 feet in breadth, which completely filled up and interrupted the moat. There are no indications of an outer court. The entire camp is now covered by a thick plantation called "The Castle Wood," which makes careful examination of it extremely difficult in the summer. — Visited, 23rd June, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical structures). 388. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.W.). Ded : St. Tyssil. Diocese of St. Asaph ; archdeaconry of Montgomery ; rural-deanery of Cedewen ; townships, Bolbro, Bronywood (Bron y coed), Bryntiilch, Rhandir (embracing Cefn y coed and Coed y wig), and Trefganol. The parish church is modern, having been erected in 1866. The previous edifice stood on a little knoll about 400 yards to the south-east. It was demolished. 78 EOVAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTUSUIEE : Parish of LLANDYSSIL. with the exception of the south porch, a structure without any special feature, but probably dating from the early 15th century. — Visited, 19th August, 1909. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asap/i, 1908, i, 524. Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Camh., 1884, V, i, 91. An inventory of the registers, plate and parish documents is in' Mont. Coll., Dec. 1906, xxxiv, 246." Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 389. Cae Arthur (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E.: lat. 52° 32' 32*, long. 3° 10' 20"). The field directly south of the camp on Cefn llan Farm (No. 385) is so styled in the Tithe Schedule of this parish (No. 734). 390. Crjclia Abbey. Matthew Paris, referring to the expedition of Henry III. into niid-Wales in the autumn of the year 1228, speaks of the king coming to " an abbey of white monks called Cridia, which, being a refuge for the Welshmen to fly unto, he caused to be burnt to ashes." This abbey has been located by some antiquaries (Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 313) in the wood called Goranddu in this parish (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 X.W.); others have regarded it as more probably situated in the parish of Kerry [Mont. Coll., 1882, xv, 17). Division VII (Finds). Medieval. 391. Sword — of the Cromwellian period; now in the Welshpool Museum. It had been in the possession of the family of Mr. Schort, carpenter, Llandyssil, for over 200 years. Parisli of LLANERFYL. Division Id (Inscribed Stones). 392. Llyii Hir (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 S.E.; lat. 52° 38' 32-5", long. 3° 26' 27"). In the mountain pool called Llyn Hir, on the border of this parish and that of I.lanfair Caereinion, is a stone said to bear the inscription MF/I II. 1430 (Mont. Coll., 1883, xvi, 337; repeated in The Works of the Rev. Griffith Edwards, 68). The stone is on the northern side of the lake, about 100 yards from the north-east corner, and 10 feet from the edge during a normally dry season. It is directly on the line of boundary between the parishes of Llanerfyl and Llanfair Caereinion which passes in a serpentine course through the lake, and was no doubt placed on the bank to mark the exact point at which the boundary reappears. The initials are probably those of overseers or churchwardens, and the date 1630 or 1730. — Visited, 14th April, 1910. Division II (E.arthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 393. Y Garcldin (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 N.E. ; lat. 52° 39' 58", long. 3° 25' 45'). Owner and occupier, Mr. William James. An almost circular camp of 50 yards diameter on the northern slope of the high land to the south of the village of Llanerfyl. It is partially enclosed by a heavy bank and a ditch of varying depth. The entrance faces the south-east, and is 20 feet wide from bank to bank, and from this point northwards the defences are at their best; on the western side there is no bank, and the ditch becomes a level platform. There does not appear to have been any additional defences. The camp contains no hut circles, nor a supply of water, though springs and pools are abundant in the neighbourhood.— Visited, 12th April, 1910. Mont. Coll., 1883, xvi, 71, with plan; repeated in The Works of the Rev. Griffith Edwards, 78. INVENTOKY OF THE COUXTY OF MOXTGOMEEY. 79 Parish of LLANEBFYL. 394. Moel Ddolwen Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 X.W.; lat. 52° 39' 31", long. 3'^ 29' 41"). Owner, Sir Watkin W. Wynn, Bart., Wynnstay, Ruabon; occupier, Mr. John E. Jones. An oval camp on the summit of Moel Ddolwen, at the height of 1,060 feet. Two well-preserved ramparts, 10 feet high, protect it on the north and most accessible side. The inner rampart is 410 feet, and the outer 350 feet in length ; the distance between them is 40 feet. Slight signs of a ditch outside the lower rampart are to be traced, which were more apparent before the plough had obliterated them. A stone boundary wall crosses both ramparts at their eastern end. The entrance was probably on the west, but the traces of it are indistinct. On the south side the hill descends precipitously, and little or no remains of any rampart are now to be seen on that side. Rushes grow^ freely on both sides of the modern wall which bisects the ramparts. No traces of hut circles are apparent within the camp. The luxuriant growth of fern makes it difficult to examine this earthwork in summer time. — Visited, 2nd August, 1910. A decidedly fanciful plan of this camp showing an oblong enclosure of perfect regularity is given in Mont. Coll., 1883, xvi, 87 (reproduced in The Work.. within a 96 ItOYAL COMMISSION ON AXCIKNT MOM' JIKXTS I.\ WALES AND MOXMOrTtlSIIlRE : Parish of LLANFYLLIN. circle. The plain uaken staircase of the earlier residence, which runs from the entrance door to the attic, has been preserved. — Visited, 23rd September, 1910. 485; Bxifach (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont, l) N.E.; lat. 52° 46' 19", long. 3° 16' 55"). Owner and occupier, Mr. John Lomax. The old home of the Kyflin family, from whom by marriage it passed to the Prices, and so to Bell Lloyd whose initials appear in the later of the two inscriptions over the hall door — " Yr adeilad lion a ychwanegwyd at yr hen Bod gan Sion Kyffin, 1661'; and, below it, ' Ac adnewyddwyd gan B. LI., a.d. 1761. Meddienwch na amheuwch." The house was considerably enlarged in the 19th century, in the course of which the exterior has been modernised ; but the interior, with a fine plaster ceiling and panelling, and a good staircase, remains unaltered. — Visited, 23rd September, 1910. 48G. The Ha'l (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 56", long. 3° 16' 25"). Owner and occupier, Mr. Thomas Jones, Town Clerk of Llanfyllin. Over the chief entrance, in raised letters of the period, is the date 1599. Here, according to W. Morris, Cefnbraich, Llansilin, a contemporary Welsh writer, Charles I. stayed the night of the 21st November, 1643, on his pro- gress through these parts to Cefnhirfynydd and Chirk. Thomas Price (fl. 1586- 1632), Captain and Welsh poet, is said to have lived here, as did Roger Palmer, Earl of Castlemaine, one of the ministers of James II. The barn belonging to the Hall, and closely adjacent to it, yet retains a quaint overhanging wooden porch. It is now used as a mineral water factory. — Visited, 22nd September, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesi.'^stical Structurp:s) 487. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 S.E.). Ded : St. Myllin, said to be identical with St. Moling of Ferns. Diocese of St. Asaph; arch- deaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Llanfyllin; townships of Camen, Rhiwnachor, Bodyddon, Bodran, Nant halan, Globwll, Bodfach, Garthgell, Bachie, Brynelltyn, Rhysgog, Town. An edifice of about the commencement of the 18th century, in the classic fashion of the period, and an interesting example of the conventicle style of church architecture. There is a western gallery. The oak chest is dated 1733. A copy of ' The Whole Duty of Man,' dated 1687, is chained to a book-rest underneath the western gallery. — Visited, 15th June, 1910. Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 78, with plans of the preGeorgian edifice, of the building of 1706, and of the same as it now appears. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. A saph, 1908, i, 230. An inventory of the parish registers, church plate, and parochial docu- ments is in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 8. 488: The Independent Chapel (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 S.E.). This edifice has no single feature of architectural interest, but its general effect gives a certain pleasing sense of simplicity and modesty, and it is one of the oldest Nonconformist places of worship in the Principality. Above the entrance is the tablet ' This Protestant Chappel was rebuilt in the year of our Lord 1717, being the 172nd year after the Reformation, the 29th since the Revolution, and the 4th year of the reign of King George. LTno avulso non deficit alter.' — Visited, 15th June, 1910. Division V (Miscell.^negus — Holy Wells). 489. Ffynnon Coed y Llan (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 58", long. 3° 16' 32"). In the History of the parish {Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 59) this well is also called ' Ffynnon Myllin.' It is about 300 yards west of the church, and was doubtless the parish well. It has been closed in, but the water is still used by the public. — Visited, 23rd September, 1910. INVENTORY OF THE COUXTY OF ilOXTGOMEEY. 97 Parish of LLANPYLLIN. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 490. Cae earn uclia (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 23", long. 3° 14' 36"). Tithe Schedule, No. 1934. 491. Cae carnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 33", long. 3° 14' 15"). Tithe Schedule, No. 1640. A field without indications of any carnedd having stood upon it. — Visited, 23rd September, 1910. 492. Cae y Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 48", long. 3° 17' 7"). Tithe Schedule, No. 1053. The second field to the east-south-east of Cefn Gaer (No. 493).— Visited, 23rd September, 1910. 403. Cefn gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 50", long. 3° 17' 16"). A farmstead, situated about 600 yards to the west of Llanfyllin. The occasion for the name is not now apparent. — Visited, 23rd September, 1910. 494. Dol y Felin biwm (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 49", long. 3° 15' 50"). A field close to and south-east of Llanfyllin, to the east of the police station. Local tradition has it that traces of a smelting floor have been seen here, also a small section of a Roman road. According to Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 53, " many tons of lead have been procured from the imperfectly reduced scoria of some ancient smelting hearths " ' on this field. Roman coins are also said to have been discovered, but inquiry failed to ascertain any confirmation of the report. — Visited, 23rd September, 1910. 495. Ancient Road. Except for the local tradition, which seems, however, to lack any authority behind it, that a section of a Roman road had been seen on Dol y Felin blwm (No. 494), there would not appear to be anything known of such a road in the immediate neighbourhood of the town itself. Some remains of a Roman road are said {Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 59) to have existed at a place called ' Street ' in the township of Bodyddon, not marked on the Ordnance Survey sheets (9 N.E., 9 N.W., 9 S.W., 9 S.E.); of these remains, however, nothing could be gleaned in the parish. Division VII (Finds). 496. Bronze Celts (two) found at Coed y Llan. Exhibited at the Cambrian Archaeological Association's meeting at Bala in 1884 by Dr. Richards, Vron- heulog. They were illustrated in Arch. Camb., 1877, IV, viii, 209, when it was stated that one was in the possession of Mrs. Richards, but that the other had been given to Capt. Massey Taylor, Tynllwyn, near Corwen. Parish of LLANGADFAN. Division la (C.a.irns). 497. Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 N.W. ; lat. 52° 44' 30", long. 3° 29' 0"). This cairn on Bwlch Esgair Garnedd — so named on a parish map of 1840 — is not marked on the new Ordnance Survey sheet. It crowns the highest point of the pass; its circumference at base is about 210 feet, the diameter is some 60 feet, the N yS ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOCTHSHIRE I Parish of LLANGADFAN. height 4 leet. The loose stones of which it is constructed are similar to those of other cairns in the district; few are of a size larger than a man could conveniently carry, and none are to be seen on the moorland in the immediate neighbourhood of the cairn.— Visited, 29th July, 1910. 498. Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 N.E. ; lat. 52° 44' 5-5", long. 3° 27' 33"). Owner, the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool; occupiers, Messrs. Thomas and Evan Roberts, Maes dyfnant. A cairn on a field called Cae Maes dyfnant, just west of the river Vyrnwy. This cairn has been reduced by the removal of many of its stones. Its present average height is 4 feet, its circumference at base about 250 feet. — Visited, 21st July, 1910. 499. Garnedd Wen, ov Carnedd Cylch (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, :Mont. 20 N.E.; lat. 52° 40' 33", long. 3° 34' 48"). A cairn somewhat difficult of discovery owing to its being in a slight dip on the moor; about 5 miles south-west of Garthbeibio parish church; and on the boundary where the parishes of Llancrfyl, Llangadfan, Garthbeibio and Llanbryn- mair meet. It has a circumference at base of some 120 feet; its highest point above the moor is*4^ feet. A rude shepherd's shelter has been made of the stones in its centre.— Visited, 9th August, 1910. 500. Garnedd Las (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 20 N.E.; lat. 52° 41' 0", long. 3° 34' 0"). A cairn not marked on the Ordnance sheet, on the tract of moorland known as Garnedd Las, close to Llyn Coch Hwyad and the parish boundary. It is largely covered with heather. The two lowest stages of stones appear to be set on edge, and in regular order. It does not seem to have been opened. As base it has a circum- ference of some 200 feet {Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 329).— Visited, 5th August, 1910. 501. Pen Cad Cymry Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 N.W. ; lat. 52° 40' 18", long. 3° 29' 41"). In many ways this may be said to be the finest of the cairns in the parish. It is placed on high land on Pen y Coed — marked Pen Cad Cymry on the Tithe Map — and measures at base some 220 feet in circumference; its diameter east to west is about 60 feet. Its present average height is 3| feet. It is constructed of small, loose stones, and appears to have been opened, there being a decided hollow in its centre. Tradition locates a church here at one time (Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 329). — Visited, 22nd July, 1910. Division Ic (Meini hirion). 502. Bryn Bras Stones (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 X.W.; lat. 52° 43' 56", long. 3° 30' 24"). These six standing stones, locally known as ' Cerrig yr helfa,' not marked on the Ordnance Survey sheet, are in a line with one another on Mynydd Dyfnant. The tallest is 6 feet above the ground, the others are from 1^ feet to 2 feet. The average distance between the stones is 10 feet. Though unhewn stones of the mountain, they appear to owe their position to design. A seventh stone is just visible in the bog, into which it seems to have sunk. The direction of the line is north-east by south- west.— Visited, 29th July, 1910. 503. Dol Garreg Stone (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 40-5", long. 3° 31' 8"). Owner, the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool; occupier, Mr. Griffith Evans Morris, Maes Llymystyn, Llangadfan. This stone stands erect, about a mile west of Garthbeibio church, south of the river Banw, and near the 18th milestone from Welshpool. The stone is 43 inches above the soil, and 87 inches in circumference. At its base lie two pieces of the INVEXTOEY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 99 Parish of LLAHGADPAN. stone, which are said to have been broken off the top. Occasionally the stone is spoken of locally as ' Maen Cadfan.' — Visited, 19th July, 1910. Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 328, with an illustration; repeated in The Works of the Rev. Griffith Edwards, p. 13. The stone is then described as " broken." 504. " A large stone thrown, as the tradition is, from the top of a hill on the other [the north] side of the valley [of the Banw] by a giant, lies now in a hollow on the mountain near a place called Pren Croes " {Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 328). Pien Croes is on sheets 13 S.W. and S.E. of the Ordnance Survey. Division II (E.arthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 505. Gogerddan Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 47", long. 3° 29' 27"). Owner, Mr. T. 0. Jarrett, Gorphwysfa, Cemmes, Mont.; occupiers, Messrs. E. and D. Davies, Llettypiod. A camp on the summit of a conical hill about I mile north of the village of Foel. The position was practically impregnable on all sides but the east, from which it is easy of approach. On that side it is defended by double banks and ditches, with a third low bank and shallow ditch at a little lower elevation. The greater part of the summit line is without protection. There are no appearances of hut circles ; nor is there any present indications of a water supply, but a little brook flows at the foot of the hill, and there are clear signs of a pathway down the steep slope. — Visited, 22nd June, 1910. Division II (E.arthworks), sub-division C (Rectangular camps). 506. Llymystyn Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 27", long. 3° 31' 28"). Owner, the Earl of Fowls, Powis Castle, Welshpool; occupier, Mr. Griffith Evans Morris, Maes Llymystyn, Llangadfan. A small, rectangular camp, on the summit of a steep hill, behind the ruins of Llymystyn Hall. It is defended by a single rampart, and, on its only accessible side, by a deep and well defined ditch. The rampart at the north corner is 7 feet high. The length of the east rampart is about 250 feet; the ditch is 10 feet wide. The entrance seems to have been at the south angle. The hea\y growth of trees and shrubs on the camp area, and on the rampart and ditch makes examination difficult. — Visited, 19th July, 1910. Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, opposite p. 327, appears a plan and section, but no account of the camp is given; the plan is reproduced in The Works of the Rev. Griffith Edwards, p. 11. 507. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 N.E. ; lat. 52° 41' 5-5", long. 3° 27' 43"). An earthwork in the grounds of Cann Office Hotel. Although the land has long been under cultivation, traces of a well defined rampart and ditch are plainly visible, especially above the mill stream. Closely adjacent are the remains of a fine mound, a large portion of which was removed in erecting some outbuildings belonging to the hotel. It is now about 200 feet in circumference, and of considerable height. It is said that " instruments of bronze were found in this tumulus " {Geirlyfr Cym- raeg, under ' Llanfair Caereinion." — Visited, 19th July, 1910. Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 326, with a highly conjectural plan. Division II (E.arthworks), sub-division D (Castle mounts, without enclosures). 508. Moelpart (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.). A circular mound below Moelpart farm, with Lle'r gell to the left. It would appear from its domed shape to be largely artificial; is surrounded by a ditch, and in many places, the rampart above the ditch is visible. Clawdd Mawr practically runs from ^Moelpart to Llymystyn Camp. This earthwork is not shown on the Ordnance map. — Visited, 20th July, 1910. X 2 100 UOVAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of LLANGADFAN. Division II (Eaktiiwurks), sub-division X (Unclassified — Dykes). oU'J. Clawdd Mav\fr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 18", long. 3° 30' 48"). Marked on the Ordnance Survey sheet as ' Supposed Fortification,' this fine dyke runs for more than a mile on Boncyn y Lhvyn, practically connecting the rectangular camp at Llymystyn with the circular mound at Moelpart. Down to five years ago, Clawdd Mawr had not been touched by the plough, and it was then some 6 feet high, and 3 to 4 feet broad at top. It lias since been ploughed over, which has somewhat reduced its height. From tlie main dyke four smaller dykes run down the hill towards the river Banw. These are plainly visible in winter, when clear of bracken.— Visited, 20th July, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 510. The Parish Church (ti in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 N.E.). Ded : St. Cadfan. Diocese of St. Asaph ; archdeaconry of Montgomery ; rural-deanery of Caer- einion; townships of Blowty, Bryngwaeddan, Cowney, Cyffin, Maes Llymystyn, Moelfeliarth, Tre'r llan. An edifice that was thoroughly restored in the year 1867. The east window, which is poor Perpendicular, was retained. The roof is ceiled, hiding what are said to be 14th-century oak timberings. The defaced stoup remains in the south wall. The bell is inscribed with the words ' God save His church,' and with the year ' 1658.' The former font is now in the Welshpool Museum, together with a few tiles dis- covered during the rebuilding. The churchyard was circular until 1910, when an addition was made to it. The original stone lych gate was left intact. The wrought iron gates, of village manufacture, have been re-hung at the new entrance. — Visited, 19th July, 1910. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 478; Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1885, V, ii, 45 : " the destruction of the ancient features must be regretted." An inventory of the registers, church plate and parochial documents is in Mont. Coll., Dec. 1906, xxxiv, 225. 511. Cae'r mynach (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 N.E.; lat. 52° 43' 21", long. 3° 25' 22"). Owner, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Wynnstay, Ruabon; occupier, Mr. Evan Evans. The remains of an ancient construction, which, though in its present appearance justifying the Ordnance Survey description of it as a " Carn," strengthened by the name of ' Cae Garnedd ' on the Tithe Schedule (No. 427), has, nevertheless, probably not been either an earthen tumulus or a stone cairn. Accord- ing to the story of the intelligent tenant, whose ancestors have occupied the farm for at least two centuries, liis grandfatlier used to tell of the ruins of buildings which once occupied the position, and which he had assisted in removing; especially did he remember an entrance doorway or porch. A cist formed of four big stones and two end stones was discovered containing a burial ; a hammer (of unknown material), and 14 pieces of money were also found, but no further particulars are now remembered. These simple facts would appear to make for a prehistoric burial, but the name of the farm, which is certainly original, points to the site of a small monastic grange or farmstead. The field in which the remains are situated lias been under the plough for many years, so that the site has been gradually contracted, its shape roughly reduced to that of a circle of 25 yards in diameter, and the stones met with in ploughing thrown into a heap. A neighbouring hill is called ' Bryn yr Athro.'— Visited, "23rd June, 1910. Division V (Miscellaneous — Wells, etc.). 512. St. Cadvan's Well (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 N.E.; lat. 52° 40' 56", long. 3° 25' 46-5"). A short distance from St. Cadvan's church. It was formerly in great repute for the wonderful efficacy of the water, and it is still used by the inhabitants. " It was at one time covered with some kind of a building ; and the stones, which were of INVEKTOET OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 101 Parish of LLANGADFAN. remarkably large size, were remaining near it until the present road leading from Cann Office to the church was made through the place. The road was carried over the well; but, through the intervention of the late Rev. Griffith Howell, rector of the parish [1839-63], an arch was made over it, so as to keep the well from being buried under the bed of the road " {Mont. Coll., Mav, 1895, xxviii, 332; reproduced in The Works of the Rev. Gr-ffiith Edwards, p. 7).— Visited, 19th July, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiqu.arian Interest). -513. Rhos Garreg Wen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, :Mont. 21 N.W.; lat. 52° 40' 50", long. 3° 28' 8"). A field on the farm of Bryn cyrch. Tithe Schedule, Xo. 1656. Xo white stone is now to be seen. — Visited, 22nd July, 1910. oU. Cae Maen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 16", long. 3° 30' 24"). A field on the farm of . Certain slight indications seem to suggest small earthworks. Tithe Schedule, No. 1253. — Visited, 20th July, 1910. 515. Ffridcl Gocli (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 20 X.E.). The traces of man's activity on Ffridd Goch, three miles south-west of Garthbeibio, are agricultural rather than defensive. It is said that the small plots of prepared ground called ' gryniau,' where tiny crops of grain were grown, are to be traced, especially in the winter months (Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 330). 516. Ffridd y Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 N.W.; lat. 52° 40' 6", long. 3° 31' 25"). A small homestead now in ruins, west of Pen y Coed, 1^ miles "W.S.W. of Pen Cad Cymry Cairn. Tithe Schedule, No. 2199. The neighbouring ri\ailet is still called Nsmt Ffridd y Castell.— Visited, 22nd July, 1910. 517. Dot y gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 32", long. 3° 29' 13"). A field on the farm of Tyn llwyn, above a little brook. Tithe Schedule, No. 1187. On it is a well defined ridge, which may be artificial. It runs for some 30 yards in a slightly circular course, with an average height of 3 feet. — Visited, 19th July. 1910. 518. Tal y Sam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 21 N.W.; lat. 52° 40' 52", long. 3° 28' 53"). A homestead about | mile north-east of the cairn on Pen Cad Cymry, and on the road north of X^ant Nodwydd. There is no present trace of a causeway or pitched road. — Visited, 22nd July, 1910. 519. Two cairns stood formerly near Pont Llogell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 N.E.), the larger one at least 60 feet in diameter, and about 7 feet high in the centre. " A great part of this was carried away about 80 or 90 years ago [from 1869], to build the wall of Llwydiarth Park. The workmen engaged in carrying it away, came to a stone chest placed in the centre of the heap and covered with a very large stone, which they were unable for a considerable time to remove, and when they had opened one end of it, one of those present, seeing an urn inside, struggled hard to get the first hold of it; but to his great disappointment, found nothing in it but a few burnt bones and ashes. In addition to the urn, the chest contained two 102 ROYAL COMMISSION OX ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSUIRE : Parish of LLANGADFAN. skeletons, the head of one lying at the feet of the other " {Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 327; quoting Camb. Register, 1796, ii, 380). 520. A cist or small rectangular stone chest was found ' ' about 30 or 40 years ago ' ' (from 1869), in a cairn near Nant Bran, which was destroyed and the stones removed to make a wall. The " chest " had four sides, a bottom, and a cover of large rude stones; these were dressed and put up as entrance pillars in front of the present post office at Llangadfan. " There was no urn nor were any remains found in tlio chest at the time, but it was supposed that it had been previously entered and its contents removed " {Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 327). 521. A rectangular stone chest, with an urn containing ashes and bones, was found about the middle of the 19th century in a cairn near Dol y pebyll. The cairn was demolished, and the material used for draining the adjoining land {Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 327). 522. Gwynyndy Farm (6 in Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.W.; lat. 52° 41' 17", long. 3° 29' 13"). The Ordnance map at the spot indicated records the discovery of a cistvaen in the year 1883, and an account of the find is in Mont. Coll., 1883, xvi, 379, with good plans. A stone was uncovered by the farmer's plough. " Under it there were four stones forming a rectangular vault or Cist Faen, 4 feet 2 inches square, and 2 feet 6 inches deep, and at the bottom it was paved with small stones. . . . Nothing was found inside it, but in the clay about the place of interment were found pieces of an urn of a very rude character and a few scattered bones." Division VII (Finds). 523. Stone. In the year 1828, two quern stones were found south of Bryn y garreg farm, and about one mile south of Pare Newydd Wood (at a site marked on the 6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 13 S.E.; lat. 52° 42' 37", long. 3° 26' 17"), at a depth of about 2 feet from the surface {Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 330). It is said that these stones are the querns which have long stood as supports to the wooden pillars of the porch at the entrance of Llangadfan post office. 524. Two quern stones were found " some years ago " in a part of the glebe near the river side. They were at the rectory in the year 1892, but their present location is not known {Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 330, with illustration). 525. " An ancient stone hatchet, or hoe," was found among some rubbish near the rectory garden " a short time ago " (from 1869). It has been suggested that " it may have been used as a mould or pattern for casting bronze hatchets " {Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 330, with illustration). On the other hand the author of Stone Implements in Great Britain was " unable to see any signs of its shape being due to art," and was inclined to regard it as of a purely natural form {ih, 1873, vi, 146). Now in the Welshpool Museum. Medieval. 526. Font. Formerly in the parish church. Now in the Welshpool Museum. INVEXTORT OF THE COUKTT OF MONTGOMERY. 103 Parisli of LLANGURIG. Division la (Tumuli). 527. Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 46 S.E.; lat. 52° 23' 55-5", long. 30 40' 48"). This cairn, known locally as ' Carnedd Fach,' is situated on Esgair Wen, not far from the boundary between Montgomeryshire and Cardiganshire. It was con- siderably damaged, prior to the year 1868, the stones having been taken to build a closely adjacent shooting shelter, now in ruins. The base of the cairn shows the lowest range of stones to have been somewhat regularly laid. It is 120 feet in circumference, and the present height is about 2 feet. As in the case of so many other carneddau and tumuli in this county, boundary fences — in this case three in number — meet at it; one of the fences has been carried across it. The base of the cairn facing due west is the best remaining portion. Carn Bwlch y Cloddiau (No. 529), half-a-mile to the south, is distinctly to be seen from it. — Visited, 11th October, 1910. 528. Cairns (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 40 S.E.; lat. 52° 28' 28" and 28-5", long. 3° 44' 42" and 41"). Two cairns on Pen Plynlumon Arwystli, 2,427 feet above Ordnance datum. The cairn upon which an Ordnance bench mark is placed consists of only a few stones, and is not more than 2 feet 6 inches high. The second heap of stones, at a distance of 35 yards to the west, is probably modern; there is no appearance of any outer circle. — Visited, 12th October, 1910. 529. Cam Bwlcil y Cloddiau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 50 N.E.; lat. 52° 23' 37-5", long. 3° 41' 6"). About half-a-mile south of Carnedd Fach (No. 527) stand the remains of the cairn known as ' Carn Bwlch y Cloddiau,' the boundary fence between the holdings of Llechwedd y Cloddiau and Llechwedd Du passing close to the stones. This cairn has been considerably disturbed, and large numbers of the stones carted away. Its base appears to have had a circumference of 110 feet; its centre is now 4 feet in height, though much of this is a modern pile of stones. The stones forming the foundation course are none of them larger than could be conveniently carried. — Visited, 11th October, 1910. 530. Carneddau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 51 N.W.; lat. 52° 22' 44", long. 3° 40' 10"). Several heaps of stones on the upland called ' Cistfaen.' See Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 242; reprinted as A History of the Parish of Llangurig, p. 20. 531. Cam y Groes (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 51 N.W.; lat. 52° 22' 25", long. 3° 38' 50"). This is the name of the high land at the source of ' Nant y Groes.' See Mont. Coll., as above. 532. Carnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 40 S.W.; lat. 52° 27' 48", long. 3° 45' 53"). This part of Plynlumon is called Pen Lluest y Carn, the cairn to which it refers being the one now in question. In the Tithe Map and Schedule it is called ' Pen Carn Tarenig,' from the little stream that rises to the east of it. Its maximum height is 4 feet, its diameter 12 feet. The south side has been opened, and its base exposed. The county boundary between Montgomeryshire and Cardiganshire crosses over it. — Visited, 12th October, 1910. 633. Carneddau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 40 S.W.; lat. 52° 28' 7-5", long. 3° 46' 4"). Two cairns standing on the high ground immediately above the source of the river Wye. and on the boundary of the parishes of Trefeirig and Cwmrheidol in 104 ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of LLANGURIG. the county of Cardigan. Both are close together. The smaller appears to have been disturbed; wlien perfect its height was about 5 feet. The larger one is not disturbed, and is about the same size. — Visited, 12th October, 1910. 534. Domen Glw (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 S.W.; lat. 52° 25' 22", long. 3° 36' 28"). A low, grass-covered tumulus on Cefnhirbrisg. It is formed of small boulders of the local stone which crops out plentifully above the surrounding soil. Its height averages 8 feet ; the circumference at base is 160 feet. Rushes grow freely at its western base. It has no appearance of having been disturbed, save for the insertion of the posts of a wire boundary fence wiiich crosses over it. — Visited, 7th October, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division C (Roman). 535. Cae Gaer (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 46 S.E.; lat. 52° 25' 19", long. 3° 43" 49'). Owner, Mr. A. E. O. Humphreys Owen, Glan Severn, Berriew; occupier, Mr. Edward Lewis. A rectangular enclosure of simple plan, situated almost on the Cardiganshire border, in the pass of the Tarenig river, and about 250 yards from the stream. The site, 1,245 feet above the Ordnance datum, is on relatively low ground, now partly covered with bog and rushes. To the north rises Plynlumon, at the foot of which in this pass yet remains the old track, which was superseded only when the present high road was made, a few feet to the north of it, and on a slightly higher level. The camp is close to and on the southern bank of the river Tarenig, which here receives the two smaller streams — Nant Ceiliogyn and Nant Fagwr fraith. Its north-western angle borders closely upon the mountain path used by the miners in crossing to Cwm Ystwyth, in Cardiganshire, over Cefn Blaen Merin. The camp is defended by a single rampart, which averages 4 feet in height. The fosse is distinct on the north side, but only slight traces of it are visible to the west. There are two entrances, on the north and south respectively. The northern one is well preserved and shows a width of 15 feet, the ramparts on either side being well rounded. The entrance from the soutli has been ruined by the inrush of mountain torrents, and for a width of 77 feet between the endings of the ramparts the ground is boggy and rush grown; faint traces of the lip of the rampart running from the south-western corner to the entrance can be seen. The longer sides of the ramparts have a length of 400 feet. The north rampart measures about 309 feet, and the south about 280 feet. The end ramparts are 220 feet in length. At the southern end of the inner side of the eastern rampart is a low mound not more than 1 foot high, and 4 feet in diameter; and here the vallum is at its greatest height of 5 feet. From the southern entrance to the north-western corner, through which it has worn its passage, the treacherous bog now passes through the camp. — Visited, 5th October, 1910. ^Illustrated, figures 27 ajui 28.] Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Normax-Welsh mounts, WITH enclosures). 536. Rhyd yr Oiien Moat (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.E.; lat. 52° 25' 36", long. 3° 35' 4"). Owner, Mr. William Ellis, The Laurels, Weaverham; occupier. Mr. John Lewis. A mound-and-bailey castle, of great natural strength, which occupies the triangular tongue of land, formed by the junction of the two streams, Xant yr Oerfa and Nant Brochan, on Rhyd yr Onen farm, two miles north-east of the village of Llangurig. The apex of the triangle ends in an outcrop of rock which has been scarped down to the verge of Xant Brochan. From this point the tongue of land rises until it attains to a height of some 80 feet above the brooks, which form the boundary on the two sides; the third is defended by a strong and massive rampart which stretches for a distance of 240 feet, and almost closes access to the castle. The Fi.,. 27.— LLAXGURIG: CAE GAKU (Nu. -Vjoj; G-ENERAL (JL'TLIA'E. Fig. 28.— LLAXOrUlG: CAE GAER (No. -WS) ; THE NORTH RAMPART. INVENTORY OF TUE COUNTY OF ilONTtiOMEE Y. 105 Parish of LLANGURIG. original entrance, some 15 feet in width, seems to liave been at the western end of this rampart. A modern entrance has been cut through the rampart to give a cart approach to the meadow which extends for 150 feet to the fosse of the mound itself. From the extreme ends of this rampart, which is 30 feet in height, and 5 feet broad on its summit, the land abruptly descends to the brooks on either side, thus adding to the strength of the defence. On the south, or outer side of the rampart is a fosse, 4 feet wide, and beyond it the field still known as ' Cae Castell.' The mound is circular, and surrounded by a fosse averaging from 4 to 6 feet in width. The base of the mound, which entirely fills the space from brook to brook, has a circumference of 540 feet; the mound rises to a height of 55 feet, its flat top being 60 feet in diameter. To the north of the mound, in the direction of the apex, is a plateau of sloping land, now largely covered by undergrowth and fern; at a distance of 100 feet is a rampart, 9 feet high, which again stretches from brook to brook. Beyond this is yet another and smaller platform, 3 to 4 feet lower than the other, and defended also by a slighter rampart, 3 feet high, and a fosse 3 feet broad, and 65 feet from stream to stream. All the ramparts and fosses are in excellent condition, though in most places thickly covered by trees. The site is at an altitude of 800 feet above Ordnance datum, and to the east, immediately across Nant Brochan, the land rises abruptly to 1,000 feet to the summit of Blaen Pathiog. To the west is the narrow valley of Nant yr Oerfa, bevond which rises Esgair y Clawdd to a height of 1,402 feet.— Visited, 4th October, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesi.astigal Structures). 5o7. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 S.E.). Ded : St. Curig. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Arwystli; townships of Glyn Hafren, Glyn Brochan, Glyn Gynwydd, Cefn yr hafodau, Llan y fynu, Llan y wared (the townships of Llan y fynu and Llan y wared form a portion of the manor of Clas — Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Wynnstay, Ruabon; the remaining portion is in the adjoining Radnorshire parish of St. Harmon). The restoration of this church has preserved several features of the edifice that preceded it. The lower portion of the tower may be of late 12th-century date; a fragment (now in the westernmost window of the south wall of the nave), which may have formed part of the head of a 13th-century lancet window; the font of late 14th or early IStli century; the east window-, and one now in the vestry, both of the 15th century; and a portion of the 15th-century rood screen w^hich has been worked into the cornice of the present one — a copy of the original screen, removed at an earlier restoration in 1836. One piece of the early roof was retained in the principal against the chancel arch. The octagonal basin of the font has a diameter of 1 foot 11 inches wdthin the bowl, is 12 inches in depth, and rests upon a low shaft and octagonal base. A ground plan of the church prior to the last restoration, together with details of the rood screen, preserved in a drawing made in 1828 by the Rev. John Parker, are given in the History of the Parish in Mont. Coll., 1869, ii, 252, whence it has been reprinted as Hamer and Lloyd's History of the Parish of Llangurig, 1875. — Visited, 8th October, 1910. An account of the restored church is given in Arch. Camb., 1903, VI, iii, 239, hut the ground plan is that of the unrestored edifice. Glvnne, ' Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1901, VT i, 144. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquari.^n Interest). 538. Blaen y Clawdd du (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 51 S.W.; lat. 52° 21' 47", long. 3° 39' 0"). Open moorland, of which the highest point is 1,693 feet above Ordnance datum; the county boundary of Montgomeryshire and Radnorshire crosses it, whilst the Cardiganshire boundary is one mile to the west. The ' claw'dd ' in this case probably marked a boundary. 106 ItOY Al. COMMISSION O.N AXCIENT MONUMENTS IX WALES AND MONMOVTHSHIHE : Parish of LLANGURIG. 539. Bwlcll y groes (« in. Orel. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 X.W.; lat. 52° 25' 45", long. 3° 37' 30"). A desolate spot upon the moorland between Llanidloes and Llangurig where five mountain tracks meet, and doubtless in medieval times the site of a cross, of which the only survival is the name. 540. Cae Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.E.; lat. 52° 25' 33", long. 3° 35' 3"). Tithe Schedule, No. 596. A field .south-east and adjoining the Rhyd yr Onen mount and court (No. 536). — Visited, 4th October, 1910. 541. Castell y dail (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.E.; lat. 52° 26' 46", long. 3° 36' 0"). A position on the northern \erge of Coed Cribin. Tithe Schedule, No. 340. 542. Cae garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.E.; lat. 52° 26' 42", long. 3° 35' 6"). Tithe Schedule, No. 743. 543. Castle (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.E.; lat. 52° 26' 44", long. 3° 34' 44"). A position on the farm of Belan, and on the east side of the tiny streamlet called Nant yr Hebog. The name ' Belan ' signifies a mound, generally artificial, and the mound in this instance may have given rise to the suggestion of a castle. Tithe Schedule, No. 893. 51-4. Esgair Clawdcl (6 in. Ord. Surv. .sheet, Mont. 47 N.E.; lat. 52° 25' 52", long. 3° 35' 58"). The open moorland, 1,400 feet above Ordnance datum, south-west of the Llanidloes Corporation Reservoir, and half a mile north-west of the mound castle at Rhyd yr Onen. 545. Gwar y Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 S.W.; lat. 52° 24' 30", long. 3° 36' 26"). A field on the farm of Bryn cylla. Nothing is locally known of the origin of the name, but it doubtless had relation to the strong position of Rhyd yr Onen, which is in the neighbourhood. Tithe Schedule, No. 1771. — Visited, 5th October, 1910. 546. Rhos y Castell (6 in Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 S.W.; lat. 52° 24' 38", long. 3° 38' 13"). Owner and occupier, Mr. J. Owen. A farm on the left of the road from Llanidloes to Aberystwyth. The correct name, as given in the deeds of this property, is ' Dol y Castell,' ' the Castle meadow.' A house has been built a short distance oil, and the old name of Dol y Castell has been revived. It probably was originally meadow laud attached to the castle of Rhyd yr Onen. Tithe Schedule, No. 2399.— Visited, 5th October, 1910. 547. Cae Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 S.W.; lat. 52° 24' 23", long. 3° 36' 35"). A field probably once attached to the castle of Rhyd yr Onen. Tithe Schedule, No. 1756.— Visited, 5th October, 1910. 548. Castell Greido \^ in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.W.: lat. 52° 26' 5", long. 3° 38' 20"). A farm 2^ miles north-west of the village of Llangurig. Tithe Schedule, No. 235. rSVEXTOEY OF THE COUXTY OF ilOXTGOMEEY. 107 Parish of LLANGUBIG. 549. Mynachlog (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.W.; lat. 52° 26' 32", long. 3° 40' 33"). A farm 7 miles west of Llanidloes, on the banks of the river Bidno. This was probably a grange belonging to one or other of the Cistercian abbeys of Strata Florida, Strata ^larcella or Cwmhir, each of which had extensive rights of pasture in the Plynlumon district. Tithe Schedule, Xo. 2166. 550. Pant Llewelyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 51 N.E.; lat. 52° 22' 40", long. 3° 35' 24'). Owner and occupier, Mr. Evan Price, Dernol. A field on Glascwm farm, 6| miles from Llanidloes on the road to Rhayader. Glascwm is mentioned in a release by Llewelyn ap Griffith, the last prince of Wales, to Roger de Mortimer — " a loco illo ubi nant glascuni cadit in Woyam," cf. ' Liber Niger de Wigmore," Harley MS. 1240, early 14th century {A Catalogue of the Manuscripts relating to Wales in the British Museum). Tithe Schedule, No. 2728. 551. Quakers' Garden (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 S.E.; lat. 52° 24' 41-5", long. 3° 33' 18"). A walled burial ground, 30 feet by 30 feet, just north of Nant gwernog farm, and \ mile east of the third milestone from Llanidloes to Llangurig. The low gate faces east; on it is a cast-iron plate inscribed — 'Friends' Burial Ground. 1708.' A well-worn path connects it with the lane leading into the high-road. The entrance is shadowed by two aged holly trees. No memorial stones mark the graves, the forms of some of which are yet visible. This burial ground, which is excellently kept, is not shown upon the Ordnance Survey sheet. It was granted to the Friends for a term of 2,000 years on a yearly peppercorn rent, the lease being dated the 25th 1st mo. [March], 1708, from which date until within living memory it was the place of interment of the once numerous Society of Friends meeting at Llanidloes. —Visited, 3rd October, 1910. 552. At a general meeting of the Archaeological Institute held on the 6th January, 1860, some ancient mining implements found during the preceding year in clearing old workings at the Snow Brook mines, Plynlumon, were exhibited by the Duke of Northumberland, they having been presented to His Grace by Sir Hugh Williams, Bart. The account of the exhibit, as given in the Archoeological Journal, 1860, xvii, 66, is as follows : — " These ancient lead workings, as stated by Captain Reynolds, manager of the mines, have been supposed to be of Roman date. The operations may, however, have been continued in medieval times. The objects sent by his grace's kindness for examination consisted of an iron pickaxe, with its haft of oak in good preservation, found in the bottom of the old w^orkings, about 60 feet from the surface ; a ponderous ball of stone, diameter abouf 5 inches, probably used in crushing or pounding the ore, and found in the same old workings at a depth of about 50 feet; also a portion of a stag's horn fashioned so as to be suited for the handle of some implement, such as a perforated maul or hammer-head of stone." The Snow Brook mine was also known as Nant yr Eira mine, its exact location being lat. 52° 28' 16", long. 3° 43' 36" : it has long been abandoned. Division VII (Finds). 553. Quern. 'Y Clochfaen,' an upper stone, of a peculiar cup form, 10 inches tall, 38 inches circumference at base, with perpendicular grain hole through centre, and handle hole at the side. In possession of Mrs. Lloyd- Verney, Clochfaen.— Seen, 7th October, 1910. Several other upper and lower quern stones are preserved at Clochfaen. Medieval. 554. The 'HIrlas' drinking horn; a highly polished straight cup made from deer's horn, 15^ inches in length, with a diameter at the mouth of 2| inches, and tapering to a blunt point; silver mounted. It holds about three-quarters of an Imperial pint measure. An heirloom at Clochfaen.— Seen, 7th October, 1910. 02 108 UOYAL LOMJIISSIO.N <).\ A.\tlK.NT MOXIMEXTS l.N WALES AXD MOXMOLTUSIIIRE Parish of LLAKGTTRIG. 355. Coins- " Thirty-eight silver coins or shillings of Henry I. were found in a grave in this [ Llangurig] churchyard two years ago" (Lewis Morris, cirda 1755; in C'li/ilirlmi Register, 179JJ, ii, 491). Nothing now appears to be known of this fiind. In 1826 a rose noble of Edward III. was dug up (Lewis, Top. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.u. ' Llangurig "). Its present location is not known. Parish ot LLANGYNOG. Division la (Tumuli). 556. Carneda (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.W. ; lat. 52° 48' 4", long. 3° 29' 2"). A cairn formed of smaller stones than those ordinarily used for such purpose in this county. It is placed on Cyrniau y Llyn at an altitude of 1,510 feet above Ordnance datum. The lowest layer of stones is set on edge and is fairly perfect. The circumference at the base is 180 feet, and the height 4 feet. The heap has been disturbed on the north-east side. The boundary between the parishes of Llangynog and Llanwddyn runs about 500 yards to the west of this carnedd.^ — Visited, 1st Septemberi^ 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 557. l\/lound (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 1 S.E. ; lat. 52° 51' 48", long. 3° 27' 34"). A mound on the summit of the Berwyn range, a few yards from the main road from Llangvnog to Bala, and on the boundary line between the counties of Mont- gomery and Merioneth. The suggestion has been made {Arch. Camb., 1849, I, ii, 86) that it was intended for a beacon station, but it is almost certainly of natural forma- tion, though it niav have been artificially adapted to serve as a boundary mound. — Visited, 16th August, 1910. Division III (Domestic Structures). 558. Ty Uclia (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.E.; lat. 52° 48' 49", long. 3° 26' 32"). A ruined l)lack and white cottage in Cwm Llech, about one mile south of Pennant Melangell church. Over a window with diamond-shaped leaden quarrels is a carved oak beam inscribed " C. R. 1665,"' said to be the initials of a local bard, one Cadwaladr Roberts. — Visited, 7th August, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 559. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.E.). Ded : St. Cynog. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Llan- fyllin; townships of Llan, Hendre fawr, Rhiwarth, and (transferred from Pennant Melangell) Pengwern, Cwmllech, Llan, Llechwedd y garth, Cablyd. The church, with all its appointments, is modern, the former edifice having been entirely demolished in the year 1894. The old church chest is in the rectory stables. — Visited, 16th June, 1910. An inventory of the registers, church plate, and parochial documents is in Mont. Coll., Jan., 1908, xxxv, 12. 560: The Church of Pennant Melangell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.E.). Ded : St. Monacella. There is no civil parish of Pennant Melangell (though there is a civil parish of Pennant), and the church is now held with that of Llangynog. An edifice which, on the whole, has been fairly restored. A number of carved details, some of late Xorman character, have been inserted in the southern wall with- INVEXTORY OF THE COrXTY OF MOXTGOMEHY. 109 Parish of LLANGYNOG. out regard to manner or method. The rood screen is in position and still retains its panel tracery. Other parts of the screen, depicting animal forms, with probable reference to the story of Monacella, are placed along the front of the gallery at the western end of the church. The carving is rude, and of the late 15th or early 16th century. The font, which is late Norman, is of the four-handled type; it has been much maltreated, but it still shows the grooves of the hinges of its cover. Two fine sepulchral effigies, which at one time had been removed into the churchyard, are now placed at the western end of the church. One is of a knight in armour, with shield bearing a lion rampant, and an inscription of which only the letters ' [Hie Jajcet Madoc vy[chan] ' are now legible. The period is circa 1370. The second figure is that of a lady, probably the wife of the knight; she has the square head- dress of the period. — Visited, 16th June, 1910. The church has been described and the carving of the screen illustrated in Arch. Camh., 1894, V, xi, 139; an exceedingly interesting example of 18th-century local craftsmanship in the shape of a wooden candelabra is also illustrated. A blank wall terminates the east end of the church, behind which is a chamber supposed to have contained the shrine of the saint. The roof of this chamber is of lower pitch than that of the church ; it is entered by a door at its eastern end, and has no communication with the church. Some of the carved fragments in the walls of the edifice, and in the gables of the lych-gate are supposed to be portions of the shrine of St. Monacella. A reconstruction of this shrine by Mr. Worthington G. Smith appears in Arch. Camh., 1894, V, xi, 144-5. A rude shelf of natural rock situated about a quarter-of-a-mile from the church, is called ' St. Monacella's Bed.' The site has been " improved," and some one has carved the name of the saint upon the rock within a comparatively recent period. 561. Lie yr Hen Eglwys (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.W.; lat. 52° 48' 48-5", long. 3" 29' 38"). At the above position on the summit of Pen y Fuches the Ordnance sheet shows (with ' Gylwys ' as a misprint for ' Eglwys ') the site of a building, the true character of which it is now difficult to conjecture. An enclosure 75 feet by 60 feet has been walled with rough unhewn stones, the walls being 3 feet in thickness. The site is so covered with bracken and rushes as to make the discovery of any details almost impossible, but there is what seems to have been an original entrance, 10 feet wide, on the southern side of the enclosure. In Arch. Camh., 1849, I, iii, 194, the place is referred to as the ' ' site of an early building ... on a line of ancient road, probably Roman. This may be found to be a Roman outlying camp." No traces of the supposed Roman road are visible in the vicinity of the walls, and the suggestion of Roman origin may be dismissed. The name points to an ecclesiastical connection, and the building may have been an early tithe barn. — Visited, 1st September, 1910. 562. Hen Eglwys Pant Dwr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E. ; lat. 52° 51' 10'', long. 3° 26' 55"). The foundations and gable of a rude stone building of oblong shape, not marked on the Ordnance sheet, are yet visible about 100 yards north of the step- ping stones over the river Eirth in Cwm Rhiwarth, and 500 yards north of Blaen Rhiwarth farm. The local tradition is that the remains are those of a church, with attached burial ground. The boundary walls of the latter enclosure are still stand- ing to a height of 2 feet ; they extend to 70 feet in length and 40 feet in breadth, and are built without mortar. The edifice is placed at the north-w^est end of the enclosure. It measures 24 feet by 14 feet. The gable wall which is attached to the burial ground has a present height of 8 feet 6 inches : it shows no appearance of a window opening. There was an entrance at the western end. No road now leads to the ruins. The late David Roberts, Hendre Fawr (died 1910, aged 90), had known the ruins all his life as ' Hen Eglwys Pant Dwr ' ; its beams, according to him, were made of a tree growing near NantNenbren. and he could remember the edifice in use in the early 19th century as a ' hafotty ' — a summer shieling. The probability is that it was a small farmstead belonging to this or one of the neigh- bouring parishes, and that simple religious services may have been held within it. — Visited, 16th August, 1910. 110 KOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IX W.ILES AND MONMOUTUSIURE : Parish of LLANGURIO. 563. Craig yr Arian (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.E. ; lat. 52° 48' 35", long. 3° 27' 4"). A small unhewn and somewhat flat stone, so named on the Ordnance sheet, and said to be the capstone of a ruined cromlech. It is stated that about the 3ear 1830 the stone then rested upon several supports. The surrounding earth was excavated, and a quantity of coins and some other objects (said to have been of gold) were discovered. The coins, described as ' ffyrlingod,' ' farthings,' were dispersed in the neighbourhood, but recent inquiry has failed to trace any of them.* The other articles are said to have been sent to Powis Castle. The late Mr. David Roberts, Hendre Fawr, Llangynog, who has died (aged 90) since corroborating the above account, alluded to this monument as ' Bwrdd y CJwylliaid cochion,' ' the red outlaws' table.' The supporting stones, if they ever existed, have been removed or broken up, and no trace of a cromlech can now be made out. — Visited, l7th August, 1910. 564. Stone Cist (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E. ; lat. 52° 51' 7", long. 3°26'51"). On Pen Bryniau, on the farm of Blaen Rhiwarth, two miles to the north of Pennant Melangell church, a stone cist is said to have been uncovered about the beginning of the 19th century. The above-mentioned Mr. David Roberts described it as measuring about 3 feet long by 2 feet wide, and made of bastard slate. It contained some coins (arian). A few upright stones mark the spot, on the right hand side of Nant Llwyn Gwern in the ascent to its source. 565. Plaschwe' Cheiniog (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E.; lat. 52° 50' 41", long. 3° 25' 28"). An old mansion bearing this curious name (' Sixpenny Hall '), formerly stood a few hundred yards to the south of Carneddau farmhouse, its garden being bounded in part by Nant y Pantiau. When razed much of its timber was transferred to and used in the building of Hendre Fawr house, now owned by Mr. Thomas Jones, Tynyffynnonau. The site, not marked on the Ordnance sheet, was remembered by the late Mr. David Roberts (died 1910, aged 90), Hendre Fawr house, Llangynog. 566. Carneddau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E.; lat. 52° 50' 45", long. 3° 25' 35"). Owner and occupier, Mr. Thomas Jones, Tynyffynnonau. A small farmhouse on the road leading from Llanfyllin to Bala. No reason is know^n to its owner for its name, nor vet for that of the second field to the west, which is called Erw'r Garnedd in the Tithe Schedule, No. 166.— Visited, 16th August, 1910. * It is more than probable that the followingr circumstances relate to the find at Craig yr Arian. After the Cambrian Ai-chajological Association'.s meeting at Bangor in 1860, a gold ring, said to have been found in Cwm Llech, Montgomeryshire, about the year 1834, was e.xhibited by the Very Rev. Dean Bonnor, of St. Asaph. This ring, together with a decade ring of flic Ifith or 17th century, and a portion of a Romano-British fibula, were illustrated in Arch. Camh., 1890, V, vii, 155, under the title ' Gold objects found in Montgomeryshire.' The first article is said to have been found " under a stone called ' Bwrdd y Gwylltiaid' [.v!c]. between Cwmllech and Blaen Cwm Pennant Melangell, in the year 1824, together with two brass coins of the Emperors Caius Victorinus and Gallienus (a.d. 260-8)." It may also be noted that the discovery is thus alluded to in Lewis, Top. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.n. ' Pennant ' : "In the left branch of the valley in which the village is situated there is a large stone, under which were found, a few years ago, several coins, rings and other relics of antiquity." It will be noticed that the name ' Craig yr Arian' does not appear in the earlier accounts of the find ; and that Mr. David Roberts knew the monument under which it -was discovered as ' Bwrdd y Gwylliaid Cochion.' It would appear that the name ' Craig yr Arian ' came into use in consequence of the find. The gold ring is described as " of circular shape, and as having ten little knobs projecting from the outside at equal distances apart. On the front it has incised, within a circle, the ihs monogram of .Jesus, with a cross rising from the centre of the horizontal bar of the h ; and below, the three nails as emblems of the Passion." No reference is made to the place of discovery of the decade ring or portion of fibula, but it may be inferred from the heading under which they are described that they form part of the same hoard as the intaglio ring. It may also be observed that at the Cambrian Archaeological Association's meeting at Ruthin in 1854, there was exhibited by Mr. F. R. "West, M.P., of Ruthin Castle, a seal which is said in the catalogue of the exhibits (Arch. Camb., II, v, 253) to have been found at Pennant Melangell: and immediately beneath that entry is another, of a second seal "found at Pennant Melangell," but whether the latter was also exhibited by Mr. West is not at all clear. It is by no means improbable that both articles belonged to Mr. West; tliat what are described as "seals" were really ring's (the Roman intaglio ring might easily be so regarded); that Mr. West might have presented the-n t) Dean Bonnor, with whom he must have come into close and frequent communication ; and that the two ^f-als of this entry are the same as the two rings already described as having been found under • Ci-aig }t Arian.' INVENTOHT OF THE COUNTY OF MOXTGOMERT. Ill Palish of LLANG7N0G. 567. Erw'r Garnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E.; lat. 52° 50' 47", long. 3° 25' 45"). Tithe Schedule, Xo. 166. No reason for the name is now apparent. — Visited, 16th August, 1910. 8 . Craig y Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E.; lat. 52° 50' 25", long. 3° 26' 12"). A natural crag, about ^ mile west of Llwyn on farm. So called from its resemblance to a castle tower. — Visited, 16th August, 1910. 569. Ffynnon Cwm Ewvn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E.; lat. .52° .50' 4", long. 3° 26' 48"). A well, to which healing properties were formerly attributed, situated ^ mile to the north of Pennant Melangell church, and immediately beneath Craig Cwm Ewyn. Some years ago it is said to have been altered by the construction of a square stone-lined bath, with steps leading down to the water. 570. Gae Garn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet. Mont.4 S.E.; lat..52°49'12",long.3°24'37"). Tithe Schedule, No. 372. 571. Tir y Maen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.E.; lat. 52° 48' 40", long. 3° 26' 40"). Tithe Schedule, No. 49. 572. Y Cestyll (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.W.; lat. .52° 49' 50", long. 3° 28' 5"). A natural rock with the fancied outline of a castle, about one mile N.W. of Pennant Melangell church. — Visited, 16th August, 1910. Division VII (Finds). 573. Stone hammer head. Found some years ago on the farm of Pencraig, where it is said still to remain. 574. Flint knife. Found by a gamekeeper in a nest on Llechwedd y garth, about the year 1890. In length it is 3 inches, in breadth 1 to 1| inches; the cutting edge is perfect. Now in the collection of Mr. R. Roberts, The Stores, Pen y bont fawr. — Seen, 18th August, 1910. 575. Bronze Celt. Said to have been "' found near the village at the beginning of the 19th century " (Lewis, Top. Diet, of Wales, 1833, s.c. ' Llangynog '). Another bronze celt is said to have been discovered at a subsequent period near the Craig Rhiwarth quarries (information by Mr. J. Kenrick Jones, M.D.). 576. Coins and Gold Article. See ' Craig yr Arian ' ante, and Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 418. 577. Iron hunting knife. Haft and blade, 24 inches long, in one solid piece. Found, about the year 1890, at Tan y foel. Pennant, by C. Roberts, Pwll lago, Cwmllech. It is now in the collection of Mr. R. Roberts, The Stores, Pen y bont fawr.— Seen, 18th August, 1910. 112 EOVAL COMMISSION 0.\ ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN W.U,ES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE I Parish of LLANGYNOG. 678. Quern. Found about 20 years ago, near the powder-house of the Craig Khiwarth slate quarries, by Mr. Thomas Peter Jones, Gloucester House, Llan- gynog. It is similar in shape to ' Y Clochfaen," Llangurig parish (No. 552). It has a circumference at base of 38 inches, and is 7 inches high. The grain-hole pierces its entire length, from the slightly depressed top; the handle-hole is at the side. Now in the collection of Mr. J. Kenrick Jones, M.D., Llanrhaiadr ym Moch- nant.— Seen, 30th September, 1910. Parisli of LLANGYNYW. Division la (Tumuli). 579. Tumulus (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 14 S.E.; lat. 52° 41' 32", long. 3° 17' 20"). Owner, the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool. A mound about 400 yards south of Mathrafal Farm, which is almost certainly natural, though marked as an antiquity on the Ordnance sheet. It has no signs of having been opened. — Visited, 1st October, 1909. Division II (E.'Vrthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 580. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 14 S.E.; lat. 52° 41' 35", long. 3° 18' 12). A small circular camp, much broken down, situated in the midst of the dense plantation called Ffridd Mathrafal. It consists of an inner enclosure, and a shallow ditch, which, by reason of the fall of the ground, has practically no counterscaip or rampart. Its average internal diameter is 120 feet. It was probably intended for tlie piotection of cattle. — Visited, 11th April, 1910. 581. Pen y Castell or Pen y Gorddin (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 22 N.E. ; lat. 52° 40' 35", long. 3° 18' 21"). Owner, Capt. A. R. Pryce, Cyfronydd, Welsh- pool; occupier, Mr. John Jones. An interesting construction, affording an instinctive examj^le of the hill-top camp, with cuuccntric defences applied in a simple and undeveloped manner. The innermost enclosure is in shape a slight oval, with a distance from north to south of 160 feet, and from east tt) west of 180 feet. The summit appears to have been naturally level, though it may have been improved by design. The surrounding bank is nowhere more than 2 feet high, though it has probably been worn down, and the ditch on its external side is now a mere depression. At a varying distance of between 12 and 15 feet come another bank and outer ditch of similar construction, and at a still lower distance of about 12 feet is a third line of similar defences. The camp could never have been a strong one, the ramparts being low, and the ditches shallow. The entrance is at the eastern end, and consists of a straight and gradual slope about 9 feet wide, carried through the successive ramparts, and passing over the intervening ditches. Running along the north-eastern slope may possibly have been an outer vallum, now continued along the line of a dilapidated hedge. There are several slight depressions on the othei'wise fairly flat surface of the interior which may point to hut dwellings, or they mav be natural hollows in the surface. — Visited, 26th July, 1909. 582. Bryn y Saethau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 14 S.E.; lat. 52° 42' 17", long. 3° 17' 53"). Owner, the Earl of Powis; occupier, Mr. John Jones. A camp placed just within the eastern margin of the great wood called Ffridd Mathrafal, and difficult of observation in consequence. In shape it appears to lye almost circular, with its longer axis pointing east and west. Tt consists of an inner area, surrounded by a bank that is now very shallow, and a much larger outer area, also defended by a bank and ditch. These banks draw closely together at the eastern side of the camp, and eventually melt into one shallow rampart and ditch. The IXVEXTORV OF THE COLNTY OF ilOXTGOMERY. 113 Parish of LLANGYNYW. banks do not appear to be incurved, but the dense underwood rendered this impossible of satisfactory settlement. At about 8 feet below the main bank at the east end is a bank that appeared to be intended as a traverse for the purpose of guarding the entrance, which was doubtless at this end. Somewhat similar arrange- ments prevailed at the west end. This camp should be carefully compared with Y Gaer Fa^\T in the parish 'of Guilsfield, to which it displays much similarity. It occupies a splendid position for blocking the route through the valley of Meifod. — Visited, 1st October, 1909. Division II (E.\rthworks), sub-division D (Norman- Welsh mounts, with enclosures). 588. Mathrafa! (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 14 S.E.; lat. 52° 41' 15", long. 30 27' 3/'^ Owner, the Earl of Powis; occupier, Messrs. H. M. and H. W. Jones. A mound-and-bailey castle situated upon the left bank of the Banw, a tributary of the Vyrnwy, itself a tributary of the Severn, and a mile south of the village of Meifod. It was the seat of the Welsh principality of Pow\s Wenwynwyn. The mound was placed on the verge of the river, and has in consequence been eaten into by the rapid and turbulent waters. It has been considerably interfered with by reason of its contiguity to the farm house of Mathrafal, but has probably retained its original height of about 20 feet from the ground level. Its smiiniit was doubt- less practically circular, with a diameter of 22 feet, but its symmetry has been marred by the undermining of the river. The mound rose from a somewhat shallow moat, the counterscarp of which was defended by a rampart. The moat joined the river on either side of the mound, but could not have been fed from it, as the stream is at a much lower level. The enclosure is a fairly regular rectangle, which has led to the idea that it is the site of a Roman station. It lies alonii the bank of the river which forms its boundary on the east : the other three sides are moated and ditched. There are no evidences of a second enclosure. — Visited, 26th July, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 584. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 22 N.E.). Ded : St. Cynyw. Diocese of St. Asapb; archdeaconry of Montgomerjs rural-deanerj' of Caereinion ; townships of Llangynyw, Mathrafal, Gwaunynog, Cynhinf a. A small church, having no structural division between nave and chancel. The roof is plastered. The upper portion of the eastern front of a rich and well- proportioned Perpendicular screen, with the original tracery in the heads of the openings, still remains in situ. The tracery of the head of the centre compartment 0* the western front of the screen is inserted between two pillars of the western gallery. The porch is of the 15th century. The font is octagonal and bears a rude representation of the Tudor rose on the set-off above the base. — Visited, 23rd April, 1910. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 481. An inventory of the registers, plate and parish documents, is in Mont. Coll., Dec, 1906, xxxiv, 227. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 585. Mount (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 14 S.E. ; lat. 52° 41' 32", long. 3° 17' 21"). This is shown on the Ordnance sheet as an antiquity, about 300 yards south of Mathrafal Farm. It is almost certainly of natural formation. — Visited, 11th April, 1910. Division VII (Finds). 586. "In 1849 the Rev. H. Longueville Jones, editor of the Archreologia Cam- brenis, stated [in Arch. Journal, 1849, vi, 399] ' that he had lately found frag- ments of Roman tile, mortar, and other undeniable vestiges of Roman occu- pation in the fosse of the entrenched work at Mathraval ' " {Mont. Coll., 1871, r 114 ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIKNT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of LLANGYNYW. iv, -il, note). Lewis, Tuy. Diet, uf Wales, ls33, s.ii. ' Llangynyw ' observes : — " Several relics of antiquity have been dug up among the ruins near this spot, among which were some tiles having protuberances at one extremity, also some silver dishes, an old sword, and some silver coins." 587. A button-mould, found in 1871, on the bank of the river Vyrnwy, adjoining the site of the castle of Mathraval. Now in the Welshpool Museum. Mo7it. Coll., 1873, vi, 217, with illustration; and 1881, xiv, 405. Parish of LLANIDLOES WITHIN. Division IV (Eccllsiastical Structures). 588. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.E.). Ded : St. Idloes. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Arwystli; townships of Morfodion, Cefncroesllwybr, Manledd, Glyn Hafren Iscoed, Cilfachallt, Treflyn, Brithdir, Hengynwydd fach. The present structure, which has been well and carefully restored, has incorporated two features that are of greater antiquity than any portions of the building of which they now form part. The church consists of a nave and chancel, structurally one, a south porch, a north aisle, and a st^uat, heavy western tower. The nave and north aisle are separated by an elegant arcading of five bays of the best period of Early English. This arcade is said to ha\e been brought from the dissolved Cistercian monastery of Cwin Hir in Radnorshire. The correctness of this ascription has been frequently debated, and the authorities are referred to in Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 163. The arguments of an able architect, Mr. Martin Underwood, F.K.I.B.A., on p. 177, in favour of the Cwm Hir origin of the arcade, are worthy of consideration. The church has one of the finest oaken roofs of the Perpendicular period in North Wales, which is also asserted to have been brought from a dissolved monastic church, probably that of Cwm Hir. It is said that the date 1542 is carved on the end of one of the hammer-beams, and that it represents the period when the church was very largely rebuilt to accommodate the new features that had just been ac(juircd. The present east window may have been inserted at the same time. The tower is of the type usual to the district, and is surmounted with a wooden belfry; at 4 ft. 6 in. from the ground it splays out ungracefully from a characteristic Perpendicular string course which is carried over the western door. A two-light window of the same period above the west doorway gives light to the tower. The basin of the font is of the first half of the 14th century; the base is modern. On the west wall of the nave, supported on a modern bracket, is an iron helmet, c. 1500-1550, which it is said formerly hung in the chancel, and represents all that is left of a suit of armour that was once kept in the church.— Visited, 8th July, 1910. There is a good description of this church in Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 163. Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Comb., 1901, VI, i, 144. [lUvstrated, figure 29.1 Division V (Miscellaneous). 589. Old Market Hail (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 47 N.E.). This building of stone, brick and timber stands in the centre of the town where the four main streets cross. Underneath is an " open " market place with pitched and cobbled paving; above it, supported on oaken beams and arches, is the " closed '■ market, a long well-lighted room. From the roof rises a cupola, on which " closed ■" market, a long well-lighted room. From the roof rises a cupola, on which was rung until very recent days. The brick gable end facing Long Bridge Street was rebuilt in 1765. At the corner where Long and Short Bridge Streets meet is a small boulder known as Wesley's Stone, from which the Evangelist is said to have preached. Part of the " Crib '' or lock-up, yet remains at the China Street end Fig. 29.— LLAXIDLOES : THK PARISH CHURCH (Xo. uS8) ; INTERIOR. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY'. 115 Parish of LLANIDLOES WITHIN. of the structure. Tolls are still taken for stalls pitched in the " open " market on Saturdays. In the years 1606 and 1629 the assizes were held in this building; and until the opening of the Town Hall, in 1908, a Working Men's Institute and Library was located in the upper chamber. It is now the property of Col. J. Davies-Jenkins, Penygreen, Llanidloes. — Visited, 8th July, 1910. Parish of LLANIDLOES WITHOUT. Division la (Tumuli). 590. Pen Cerrig (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 41 S.W.; lat. 52° 28' 5", long. 3° 38' 59"). Owner, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, the Plas, Machynlleth; occupier, Mr. Stephen Breese, Garth, Llanidloes. A prominent cairn erected on a sheep walk on Bryn Mawr, to the south-west of Cors y Gamallt. It is formed of stones gathered on the mountain, and is in appearance similar to others on Plynlumon. It stands some 15 feet high, and is 130 feet in circumference. Nothing is to be gleaned about it locally. — Visited, 5th July, 1910. 591. Tumulus (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 41 S.W.; lat. 52° 28' 52", long. 3° 36' 30"). Owner, Mr. H. L. V. Pryse, Surrey House, Leamington; occupier, Mrs. Martha Jerman, Ystrad Hynod, Llanidloes. This fine tumulus is situated on a flat meadow, known as D61 Rhynion, on the farm of Ystrad Hynod, ^ mile south-west of the road from Machynlleth to Llanidloes, and on the left bank of the river Clywedog from which it is distant about 30 yards. It is grass-grown and does not appear to have been opened. Its height is 7 feet and its circumference at base about 180 feet. Locally it is said to be "the soldiers' grave, and has a wall inside it." — Visited, 28th June, 1910. Division Ic (Meini Hirion). 592. Garreg Wen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 40 S.E.; lat. 52° 28' 545", long. 3° 43' 26"). There are here two white stones, known as ' y fuwch wen a'r llo,' ' the white cow and calf," standing close to one another on the moorland near the source of the Severn. They are best approached from Eisteddfa Gurig. The larger of the two stones is 6 feet high, and the smaller 4 feet high. No local tradition would seem to be connected with them. — Visited, 5th July, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 593. Pen y gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 41 S.W. and S.E.; lat. 52° 28' 7", long. 3° 36' 26"). Situated on the summit of a high hill, the sheep walk to the farm of Crowlwm, immediately above the disused Aberdeunant mine. The defences consist of little more than a rampart of loose mountain-gathered stones, few of them being larger than one man could carry. The rampart on the inside is from two to three feet high, and has an average depth of 15 feet. The enclosure is not quite circular, measuring some 185 feet in its longer, and 145 feet in its shorter diameter. The entrance is to the north and has on either side the strongest parts of the rampart. _ Rushes grow freely near the highest point of the enclosure. To the east, just ouside the rampart, are two small, erect meini hirion, the one 6 and the other 4 feet in height. In ' A Parochial Account of the parish of Llanidloes,' in Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 158, it is stated that " an inner circle is said to have formerly existed, but no traces of it are now to be seen." — Visited, 7th July, 1910. P2 116 IIOVAI. COMMISSION OX AN( IKNT MONCMKNTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE : Parish ol LLANIDLOES WITHOUT. .594. Pen y Castell (O m. Urd. Surv. sheet, Mont. 41 S.E.; lat. 52° 28' 49", long. 3° 33' 12"). Owner, His Majesty's Charity Connnissioners. There are faint remains of what was probably an early camp on the hill to the north of the little valley of the Cerist and the celebrated Van mine. In ' A Parochial Account of the parish of Llanidloes," the writer (Mr. Edward Hamer) states that the camp "seems to have been an extensive one, pentagonal in form, pointing in tlie direction of the brook which runs at the base of the hill. Its northern portion has been under cultivation for at least thirty years, probably much longer; so that the limits and strength of the work in this direction cannot be very well made out, but that portion which has not been ploughed up is in good preservation. Its measurements were, in its longer direction, about 200 yards, with a breadth varying from 60 to 80 yards. The sides which form the apex of the pentagon are very precipitous, and require no artificial additions to secure the camp from attack in this direction, but on the side nearest the Van mountain the .slope is more gradual, and the engineer consti-uctcd a line of works consisting of an agger and fosse, at a distance of about 30 vards from the main line of defence, in a direction parallel to it" {Mont. Coll., 1872, v, 48). The same writer adds {ih., 1873, vi, 155) that "although not of the usually accepted orthodox rectangular form, several reasons led " him "to conjecture that this is a Roman work." Since then the camp has evidently suffered much, and there are now but few traces of the " fosse and agger " mentioned by Mr. Hamer. The indications are quite insufficient to admit of any conjectures as to the area that was enclosed. The camp is certainly not Roman. — Visited, 11th May, 1910. 595. Pen y Clun (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 41 S.E.; lat. 52° 28' 28", long. 3° 34' 55"). Owner and occupier, Mr. Richard Thomas, Pen y Clun, Llanidloes. A fine camp placed on the south-eastern slope of Pen y Clun Hill, in the vpide curve formed here by the river Clywcdog, and sheltered by the higher ground of Bryn Tail, almost half a mile to the west. This camp, which covers internally about two acres, is thoroughly protected by the precipitous nature of the ground to the .v''^^ '«% /!^ # # .',^< ■i,^ ^ N W S 100 200 300 400 50 feet Scale Fu, :iu.— LLANlDl.oK.-^ 2500 1M;X V I'LTX CAMP (No. .595); j.laM. north and east. The camp is formed of two curved lines springing from an almost straight base-line 400 feet in length. The northern curve starts directly from the end of this base-line, or may be regarded as a continuation of it; but the southern end of the line is carried about 60 feet beyond the point where the curve on this side branches off. The curves do not form perfect ellipses, nor are they quite perpendicular to the base-line constituting the chord of the arc. The northern curve is slightly longer than the southern arm, the one being 375 feet, the other 345 feet. At these distances from the base-line is placed the entrance, which thus comes nearly mid-w^ay in the circular face of the camp. The fall of the ground is away from the base-line and towards the entrance, while the curved bank, which is not more than 4 feet high at the start on either side, is increased in height as it INVEXTOEY OF THE COUNTY OF MOXTGOMEEY. 117 Parish of LLANIDLOES WITHOUT. proceeds, until it reaches 12 feet at each side of the entrance. It is also doubled for about half its length. Both northern and southern banks at either side of the entrance have their terminations curved inwards. But, whereas the southern curve consists merely of a somewhat shallow hook, the northern side has an outward as well as an inward extension, in perfectly straight lines, and both together take the character of a traverse at right angles to the northern rampart. The portion of this cross bank running into the camp is parallel with the shallow curve of the southern bank, and both banks are drawn nearer together, until the actual entrance into the camp is narrowed from 40 feet to 6 feet. This straight line of the cross bank is carried about 25 feet beyond the line of the northern defence. Here it almost meets the exterior defences of the camp which consist of two slightly curved banks, following the same direction as the inner banks. The scheme of defences thus consists of two external lines which approach each other, much after the shape of the letter U, but do not actually meet, and these exterior lines cover an inner and practically parallel curved line, the intervening space being cut across by the traverse terminating the lines of the northern curved ramparts. These outer defences have an entrance that is placed obliquely to the inner entrance, the bank on the northern side of the entrance being 300 feet in length, whilst that on the southern side is only 120 feet. Like the inner ramparts these banks decrease in height and strength as they recede from the entrance. The width of the opening is 40 feet, and both sides have the ramparts slightly curved inwards and outwards, the inner curve of the northern rampart coming within 40 feet of the termination of the traverse already referred to. The ditches vary in depth from 3 to 6 feet from the level, the greater depth correspond- ing to the greater height of the ramparts as the entrances are approached. The ditch is continued along the exterior side of what has been termed the base-line of the camp, 120 feet of the entire length of 400 feet being cut through solid rock. Rock crops out in several places within the camp, and cuts across the southern inner rampart. There is no appearance of water within or close to the camp, but the river Cerist flows through the valley below it. This camp is the westernmost example of its class in the county of Montgomery, and of considerable strategic interest.— Visited, 28th June, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman- Welsh mounts, WITH enclosures). 596. Pen y Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.; lat. 52° 29' 7", long. 3° 30' 0"). Owner, the Rev. J. C. Bowen; occupier, Mr. John Davies. A good example of the niount-and-bailey castle, situated at the southern end of a small hill, at the foot of which is Llyn Ebyr. The earthwork extends along the crest of the hill for a distance of nearly 300 yards, the mound being placed at tl.e southernmost corner. It rises to a height of from 12 to 15 feet from the bottom of the surrounding ditch, and is 24 yards in diameter at the summit. This is hollowed out towards the centre, in a somewhat unusual fashion, and the hollowing has been executed more carefully than it would have been done by treasure hunters. It may, however, have been done when the trees which now cover it, and which are unquestionably of considerable age, were first planted. The ditch protecting the enclosure has disappeared along much of the eastern side, which is flat and open, and where cultivation has been long pursued. The western slope, now covered with trees, falls precipitously, but along it can be traced the ditch and bank that surrounded the enclosure. The fields to the east of the camp are styled ' Moats,' ' Moats canol ' and ' Moats nessa " in the Tithe Schedule, Nos. 425, 418 and 419.— Visited, 13th July, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). •597. Van Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 41 N.E. and S.E.; lat. 52° 29' 0", long. 3° 34' 28"). The Van hill is to the left of the road from Llanidloes to Machynlleth, about two-thirds of a mile south-east of the fourth milestone. The site of an oval camp on the summit of the hill is shown upon the 6 in. Ordnance sheets, but no earthworks remain at present. It is possible that its situation may be marked by a circular 118 ROYAL COMMISSION OX ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of LLANIDLOES WITHOUT. depression in the surface of the ground. Two cairns, wliich formerly crowned the summit, have long since been carted away for building purposes {Mont. Coll., 1872, v, 44).— Visited, 1st July, 1910. 598. Melin Hen Sarn ( in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E.; lat. r)2° 50' 26", long. 3° 23' 54"). A tuuuilus, not marked on the Ordnance sheet. It is also sometimes called ' Moel Cerrig Gwynion,' and is visible for some distance, the white quartz stones upon it rendering it conspicuous. It has a height of 8 to 10 feet, with a circumference at base of 250 feet. Xo traces of its having been opened are to be detected. On its summit sheep have worn a slight depression, and the part so exposed shows the tumulus to be constructed of earth and small stones; the outer covering, now largely "rass-grown, being formed of the white (juartz already noted above. — Visited, 6th September, 1910. Division Ic (Mkini hiriox). 629. Carreg y Cyfrwy (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 N.E.; lat. 52° 50' 17", long. 3° 23' 59 "j. This curiously and naturally shaped stone, known as the ' Saddle stone,' stands upon the parish boundary, and close to ' Bedd Crynddyn ' (No. 628). Its height above ground is from 12 to 15 inches, with a length of 24 inches, and a width averaging 15 inches. — Visited, 6th September, 1910. Division Id (Inscribed stones). 630. Pont Glaii Taiiat Uchaf (♦> in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.E. ; lat. 52° 48' 34", long. 3° 16' 49"). On the parapets of this bridge over Nant Engyll, built into the coping on either side, are three stones having the remains of circles clearly carved upon them. The coping stone on the left, going to Llanfyllin, is 26 inches long and 17 inches broad; upon it is a well-nigh perfect cross, the arms being 7^, 7, 6^ and 4 inches respectively in length. The circle enclosing the arms is perfect at the ends of the 7i-inch and the 6|-inch lateral arms, which would appear to be their original length. A portion of the circle, about one fourth of it, has been cut away to make the stone fit its present position. On the opposite parapet are two stones, adjoining each other, end to end. The shorter of the two is evidently the remaining portion of the above stone, containing the missing parts of the 4-inch arm, and the portion of its circle. The remaining stone, 44 inches long, and 16 inches broad, has on it a similar cross and circle, but larger and more extended, each arm of the cross being 9j inches in length ; the circle is practically perfect. The stones have a thickness of 5 inches, and appear to have originally been grave stones. The carving is sharp and deep. Careful examination of the bridge failed to reveal any portions of inscribed slabs, or any carved pieces other than the three here noted. — Visited, 12th September, 1910. Division le (Stone circles).* 631. Rhos y beddau Circle and Avenue (6in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 1 S.E. ; lat. 52° 51' 41", long. 3° 23' 51"). Owner, Lady Williams-Wynn, Llangedwyn. A circle, with a well-defined avenue. The circle has a fairly uniform diameter of 41 feet, though a few of the stones are now a little out of position. The 13 stones noted were all of small size, the largest (the western one) being only 2 feet high. The number of the stones given in Mont. Coll., 1871, iv, 241, is only 12. The thirteenth stone is certainly small, and perhaps doubtful. Two stones on the western side, now outside the ring, have probably been moved from the circle. Judging from the results obtained in the avenue many more stones of the circle might be discovered by digging below the surface. The avenue is formed by two rows of stones, the one on the south side being the more complete. It is not directed to the centre of the circle (the prolongation of its centre line passing 4^ feet south of that point), but to the largest stone on the western side of the circle. Both rows appear to commence at stones on the eastern • This description has been contributed by Lieut. -Col. W. LI. Morgan. R.K.. one of the Commissioners. •Nyivo * » S d Iz; P W % Q o :• t o P o ; • * o T * 5 H o o P3 1 •anoyio • . • IXVENTORY OF THE COUXTY OF MOXTGOMERY. 125 Parish of LLANRHAIADR YM MOCHNANT. side of the circle, but the southern stone has fallen a little out of line. There is a gap in both rows — of 27 feet in the southern and 33 feet in the northern row — before the stones are visible, but doubtless many are buried under the accumulation of decayed vegetation, and could be recovered with but little difficulty; 19 stones were counted in the northern, 33 in the southern row. The rows stand 10 feet apart and are fairly straight. A few stones have fallen both outwards and inwards, which in places gives an irregular appearance to the lines. The stones which terminate the rows are slightly larger than the others, and stand exactly opposite to each other. The azimuth of the avenue is N. 80° E., and the skyline 5°. It is hard to see what festival this line could have anticipated, while a more unfortunate site for an observatory would be difficult to find, being surrounded by high hills; the only break in the heights is almost directly east and is not utilised.* 126 feet to the north-east of the termination of the avenue is what looks like a small circle, bearing X. 69° E. from the centre of the circle, skyline 7°. What purpose it has served, whether stone circle, cairn, or hut circle it is impossible now to decide. On a cursory survey it apparently consisted of 12 stones, but on removing the rushes and decayed vegetation it was found that it was composed of an almost continuous ring of stones close together. Some few of the stones were sufficiently large to have needed a considerable amount of labour to place them in position. It is quite possible, therefore, that it had been originally erected as a cairn, and the enclosing ring, which has a diameter of 15 feet, had been improved by shepherds. [Ilhiitrated, figure :i2.] Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman- Welsh mounts, WITH enclosures). 6o2. Domen MosI Frochas t (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 86", long. 3° 1' 26"). A mound, with fosse and outer enclosure. The situation is at the end and on the highest point of Moel Frochas, with the ground falling sharply on all sides except along the line of the hill, and with splendid prospects of the country around. The mound rises from a shallow fosse to a height of about 20 feet, the counter- scarp being nowhere more than 7 feet in height. The moat surrounded the mound, but to the north it has been filled in by the earth shovelled from the top of the mound in the course of past excavations. The enclosure was placed to the east of the mound, on its most vulnerable side; in shape it is a horse-shoe, its external walls being given a slight outward curve. It is 21 feet in diameter. — Visited, 13th June, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division H (Ancient village sites). 633. Craig Rhiwarth Hut Circles (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 X.E.; lat. 52° 50' 3", long. 3° 24' 0"). Over the upper portion of the southern slope of Craig Rhiwarth hill are scattered a number — probably sixty — of hut circles, with a strong, carefully con- structed, protecting wall of large unhewn stones. At its eastern end the wall starts from rough precipitous ground needing no special defence. Its course is almost due east and west for a distance of near 1,500 feet, when it terminates ineft'ectually on the hill-side. About midway along this wall is the entrance which is both in- and out-turned to an extent of nearly 10 feet. The hut circles are in groups on the hill-side above the wall, and so far as could be ascertained their entrances faced the south-east. The internal diameter seemed to average 20 feet. There is a small spring in the south-eastern part of the enclosure. — Visited, 18th August, 1910. • The correction of az.imuth for this sky line woald be diflScult to calculate. It is, however, so considerable that if not taken into account all conclusions based upon the orif^inal observations would lie absurd. It can be seen that approximately it would point to the sun-rise of the ^lay festival, but to work out anything more definite would be waste of time, as it is impossible to conceive that the astronomers of those early days would have used a plumb line to identify the crossing to the lines of the avenue or the distant hills ; and, without some such means, the observations might easily be days out. t This is called Tonien Cefnllawr in Mont. Coll., 1871, IV, xxviii, where it is termed " a mound of judicatm-e." Locally it is called ' Tomen Cenllor,' which has been made into ' Tomen yr Cefn lie oer ' on the Ordnance sheet. 126 HOYAL COMMISSION OX ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE I Parish of LLANRHAIADR YM MOCHNANT. Division II (Earthworks), subdivision X (Unclassified — Dykes). 634. Dyke (6 fn. Ord. Snrv. sheet, :Mont. 9 X.E.; lat. 52° 47' 58", long. 3° 17' 10"). An earthen bank on the land of Ty newvdd farm, running almost due east and west for a distance of 300 yards. At its eastern end it starts at a tiny rivulet which is too insignificant to have formed an obstacle. A few yards from its eastern termination it is cut through by the main road from Llanfyllin to Llan- rhaiadr. It is at its best at about half its course, where it is about 12 feet in height. The accompanying ditch is on its northern side; it is shallow, not more than 3 feet high, and varies in breadth. A modern hedge has been planted within it, and has largely succeeded in filling it up. The bank becomes less prominent as it reaches its western termination, and it appears to end at a tiny rill. There are no signs of its continuation on the rising ground further west. It was probably not constructed for defensive purpo.ses: but it is marked ' Intrenchment ' upon the Ordnance sheet. —Visited, 13th June, 1910. 635. Dyke (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.E. ; lat. 52° 47' 12", long. 3° 17' 48"). Owner, Mr. John Lomax, Bodfach, Llanfyllin. An earthen bank, on the farm of Aber naint, of similar character to the last described. It starts at the little stream called Xant y Clawdd, a tiny tributary to the slightly bigger stream called Xant Fyllon, and at the point indicated as the boundary of the municipal borough of Llanfyllin. The course of Xant y Clawdd is north-eastward, whereas the course of the bank is north-westward, at almost an exact right angle to the stream. Parallel wnth Xant y Clawdd, and about 700 yards to the west, another tiny nameless rill runs into Xant Fyllon, and doubtless the bank ran from the margin of one stream to that of the other. ' It, however, does not at present reach so far as the westernmost stream, but ends inconclusively a few yards from it. Its direction is by no means straight. It is cut through by a narrow lane, probably of considerable antiquity. About midway in its course it is quite 20 feet high. "The ditch, which is shallow throughout, is on the north side of the bank. — Visited, 13th June, 1910. 636. Clawdd Mawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 X.W.; lat. 52° 46' 57", long. 3° 23' 18"). This massive and well-preserved dyke is situated on the summit of Y Foel, at an altitude of 1,655 feet. Its north-eastern end almost touches Llwybr Heilyn. Midway in its length of 1,500 feet, the d}^ke crosses the boundary line of the parish, and for the remainder of its course runs to the north-west in the parish of Hirnant. It has an average height of 20 feet; the ditches on either side are 10 feet wide, and are particularly clear and defined at the two ends of the dyke, which are well finished. A water course has worn its way through at a distance of 540 feet from the northern end, and the exposed sections here show that the dyke is composed of small stones and earth thrown up from the ditches. Throughout its entire length the north side of the dyke is the steeper of the two. The summit has a flat surface, averaging 4 to 5 feet in width. It would seem as if this dyke had been constituted to guard the ancient trackway of Llwybr Heilyn (Xo. 256), which is visible for some distance from the top of the entire length of the dyke. A few years ago Clawdd Mawr was often alluded to in this parish as ' Boncyn Rhyfal,' ' Battle Bank,' a name now seldom heard when it is referred to. A fine rapier (Xo. 652) was found on Clawdd !Mawr about quarter of a century since. — Visited, 7th September, 1910. 637. Mound (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.E. ; lat. 52° 48' 43", long. 3° 18' 18"). An earthwork on the left bank of the river Tanat, which, though not marked as an antiquity upon the Ordnance sheet, has every appearance of being artificial. It consists of a mound, having a rocky core, of about 20 feet in height, and 70 feet in diameter. Attached to the eastern side is a platform, elevated above the surround- ing level about 5 feet. There are no signs of a ditch round either the mound or its annexe. — Visited, 17th June, 1910. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 127 Parish of LLANBHAIADR YM MOCHNANT. Division III (Domestic structures). 638. Bishop Morgan's Summer-house (<3 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.E.; lat. 52° 49' 21", long. 3° 17' 58"). On Pen y walk, immediately over the bank of the river Rhaiadr, and opposite to the Vicarage and Church, which are on the Denbighshire side of the river, are the scant foundation stones of the building known as ' Bishop Morgan's Summer- house,' in which tradition has it he did much of his translation of the Bible. It is on the glebe land. Within living memory the walls of this small building were breast-high, and were removed for sake of the stones, which were used elsewhere. — Visited, 23rd September, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 639. Caclnant (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.W. ; lat. 52° 49' 21", long. 3° 20' 46"). A farm, one mile north-north-east of the village of Pen y bont fawr. Some years ago an old building, said to have had a date-stone in one of the walls, was pulled down. Nothing is known of the stone. — Visited, 16th September, 1910. 640. Cae castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 N.W.; lat. 52° 49' 53", long. 3° 19' 50"). Owner and occupier, Mr. Richard Thomas, Cefnderwen. Tithe Schedule, No. 330. A field on Cefnderwen farm, two miles north of Pen y garnedd. In one part of it, yet marked by a holly tree, formerly stood an old building, which was inhabited about 80 years ago. The last stones of it are stated to have been removed some years ago. — Visited, 16th September, 1910. 641. Cae Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.W.; lat. 52° 47' 10", long. 3° 19' 23"). Tithe Schedule, No. 698. There are at present no traces of a mound. — Visited, 1.3th September, 1910. 642. Cae gam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.W. ; lat. 52° 49' 10", long. 3° 21' 24"). Tithe Schedule, No. 153. A field so named on the farm of Cil eos uchaf, f of a mile north of Pen y bont fawr village. Nothing is known of any cairn having stood on it. — Visited, 16th September, 1910. 643. Cae y garreg Iwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.E.; lat. 52° 48' 54", long. 3° 19' 2"). Occupier, Mr. William Richards. Tithe Schedule, No. 56.— Visited, 15th September, 1910. 644. Erw gam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.W.; lat. 52° 47' 28", long. 3° 21' 5"). Owner, Mr. Thomas Lomax; occupier, Mr. Thomas Hughes, Cwmgwnen isaf. Tithe Schedule, Nos. 59 and 60. Locally known as ' Erw fawr,' and not as ' Erw garn.'— Visited, 15th September, 1910. 645. Erw y garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 33", long. 3° 18' 5"). Tithe Schedule, No. 34. 646. Erw gerrig (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 9 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 30", long. 3° 18' 32"). Tithe Schedule, No. 114. A field east of Moel frochas farmhouse. 647. Gam Uchaf (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.W.; lat. 52° 49' 28", long. 3° 21' 38"). Tithe Schedule, No. 93. Nothing is known of a cairn here. — Visited, 16th September, 1910. 12S HOYAL COMMISSION OX ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of LLANRHAIADR YM MOCHNANT. ()48. Pen y garnedd (•Hn. Oid. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.W.; lat. ^2° 48' 12", long. 3° 10' 38"). A small hamlet, distant five miles from the town of Llanfyllin, and near the fifth milestone on the road to Bala. The origin of the name is not evident. — Visited, loth September, 1910. 649. Pen y stryd (« in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.E. ; lat. 52° 48' 8", long. 3° 17' 4"). Tithe Schedule, Xo. 269. One-third of a mile south of the second milestone from Llanrhaiadr ym Mochnant to Llanfyllin. There is no local knowledge or tradition of a causeway here. — Visited, 13th September, 1910 Division VII (Finds). Stone Age. 650. Spindle Whorls — now in the Welshpool Museum. 650«. Stone Hammer. A small stone hammer, about 2| inches long, was found in a heap of stones drawn from the river Twrch, in the parish of Llanrhaiadr ym Mochnant. Now in the Welshpool Museum. It is illustrated in Mont. Coll., 1881, xiv, 272. Bronze Age. 651. Celt {?), found near the hut-circles on Cefn Rhiwarth, about 25 years ago. Present locality unknown. 652. Bronze Celt — '" A bronze celt was discovered in Brithdir some years ago" {Mont. Coll., 1871, iv, 248). Late Celtic. 653. Bronze Pen annular Torques. In the year 1867 nine rings or torques were discovered upon the farm of Bryndreiniog, in the township of Glanhafon, during the removal of an old fence. One of the rings w-as broken by a workman Fic. 33.— LLANRH.MADR YJI MOCHNANT: BRONZE TORQUES (No. 6.53) ; J actual size. when trying to open or widen it. Another had pendant pieces attached to it, but this and four of its companions were .soon lost, and unfortunately no drawing INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 129 Parish of IXANKHAIADB YH MOCHNANT. was taken or description written of the pendants. The four remaining rings found their way into the Welshpool Museum, but only three were discoverable when they were photographed for this notice. They were exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries on the 7th April, 1870, and two (the largest and the smallest) are figured in Proc. S.A., II, iv, 467. The illustration is reproduced in Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 420, together with a second drawing of the smallest. 654. Spur and portion of sword-handle. In the Proceedings of the Society of Antiquaries (7th April, 1870), 2nd Series, iv, 468, after the description and illustration of the Torques referred to above (No. 653), it is stated there had been found in a field called ' Maes y fattel ' on the farm of Glanhafon fawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.W.) " an ancient spur and a piece of a sword- handle. The latter was sold by the finder for a few pence, but, proving to be of gold, it fell into the hands of a Jew in Chester." This find is also mentioned, with the same illustrations, in Mont. Coll., 1871, iv, 247. No date is given, but as the find is within the memory of a person now living, it is probable that the discovery was made only a short time before the year 1870. Medieval. 655. Rapier (?) About 25 years since, a perfect blade, 27 inches in length, was uneartlied on Clawdd Mawr. It was exhibited at a village bazaar in 1891, and promptly disappeared. Parish of LLANSANTFFRAID DEUDDWR. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division D (Castle mounts, without enclosures). 656. Hen Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 41", long. go 7/ 23"). Owner, Mrs. Busch, Crosswood, Welshpool; occupier, Mr. Richard Jones. An interesting mound on the farm of Coed mawr, which in the course of the cultivation of the surrounding land has lost whatever characteristic features it may have once possessed. Slight indications on the western side show that it had a ditch. The mound is now about 25 feet high, and the summit is 55 feet in diameter. An account of it written in or before the year 1871 observes of its appearance at that time, " The excavations that have been made expose its entire breadth to the depth of about 10 or 12 feet, the lower exposed layer consists of tolerably large sized river stones, with a very thin layer of soil between, next a layer of pebbles, and then a layer of gravel, superimposed by the upper large layer of soil proceeding from coarse to fine to the surface. Between the upper layer of gravel and the soil, of which its lower layer would seem to have been put in while in a state of mud, there are hollow spaces or holes into which a long stick has been pushed out of sight in a horizontal position " (Mont. Coll., 1871, iv, 91, with plan and section (p. 58). See ib., 1900, xxxi, 285).— Visited, 22nd April, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 657. IntrenchmentS (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 10", long. 3° 10' 25"). Owner, Mrs. C. E. Stewart; occupier, Mr. Edward Morris, Collfryn Farm. A peculiar earthwork, in length nearly 500 feet, and spreading at its base to a width of about 150 feet. It forms a solid mound of earth of about the height of 5 feet from the surrounding surface. The south-western side of the work is carried R 130 HOYAL COMillSSIOJJ ON ANCIENT MONVMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE : Parish of LLANSANTFFRAID DEUDWR. round with a sweeping outward curve. According to an account of it in Mont. Coll., 1871, iv, 90, it was then surrounded by a "great ditch," and had " a rampart on the sunniiit from 6 to 20 feet high." Local tradition associates it with warfare, but it is difficult to see its utility or purpose. The neighbouring cottage is called Pen y Sarn.— Visited, 26th April, 1910. Division V (Miscellaneous — Holy Wells). 658. Ffynnon Elias (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 58", long. 3°7'4S"). This well is on common land in the township of Trederwea Ffynnon Elias became silted up, and a more conveniently situated well close by has led to its neglect. It is understood, however, that it is to be again brought into general use. 659. Ffynnon y Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv sheet, Mont. 10 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 41", long. 3° 7' 36"). Near the mound called Hen Domen (No. 653) ; it is now closed, and its waters drained into an adjoining brook. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 660. Ancient Roads. It is stated that a Roman road has been traced in places along the route from the valley of the Severn, traversing the upland country beyond the parish of Guilsfield, and passing through the parish of Llansant- fTraid Deuddwr. In the opposite direction, and taking the cross roads near the farm of Pen y sarn as a point of departure (lat. 52° 45' 4", long. 3° 10' 27"), it will probably be found that the by-road called Collf ryn Lane is medieval. Starting from the same point, the road to the right of Collfryn Lane is now in too neglected a condition to admit of an opinion being formed. This latter road (and Collfryn Lane by a turn to the west) leads to Fawnog Lane in tlie parish of Meifod, and to its continuation in the parish of Guilsfield, where it is called ' The Street.' — Visited, 26th April, 1910. Division VII (Finds). 661. A dagger or side-arm, marked 168 — ; found at Trewylan Ganol Farm. In the Welshpool Museum. Parisli of LLANSANTFFRAID POOL. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 662. Y Foel Camp or Soldiers Mount (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. lON.E.; lat. 52° 46' 37", long. 3° 9' 53"). A finely situated camp enjoying a wide prospect of the Vyrnwy valley, formed off the summit of the Foel hill. There are slight signs of both rampart and ditch, and a portion of the side of the hill has been scarped. The area on the summit thus cut off from the rest of the hill is about 5 acres. The escarpment varies con- siderably in parts, being from 15 to 20 feet at the north-east and south-west ends, where the lower ground is continued in a sort of natural platform. There are no .specially constructed entrances, and the ingress and egress must have been managed at the easiest points. Owing to the steepness of the slope, the ground at its base was formed into something of a berm, but that feature resulted merely from the absence of a ditch, a«; the flat platform is not carried uniformly round the hill. A spring about halfwav up the eastern side of the hill provided an abundant supply of water.— Visited, 29th October, 1909. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 131 Parish of LLANSANTFFRAID POOL. QG'o. Intrenchments, Site of (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 5", long. 3° 9' 45"). There are faint traces of escarpments for a short distance along the western side of Winllan Hill, but the appearances are due to the natural formation of the rock, though the slope of the latter may have been artificially increased in places. There are no indications of defensive lines. — Visited, 25th April, 1910. Division II (E.'^rthworks), sub-division F (Homestead moats). 66-k Plas yn Dinas, or Y Park, or Camp Field (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 45", long. 3° 9' 31"). Owner, Mr. W. R. O. Kynaston, Hardwick, Ellesmere; occupier, Mr. Thomas Watkin, Pont y Pentre, Llan- santffraid. One of the most historic spots in Wales : the caput of the manor of Dynas, once the residence of Thomas, the son of Rhodri, youngest brother of Llewelyn ap Fig. 34.— LLANSANTFFRAID : PLAS YN DINAS (No. 664) ; plan. Griffith, prince of Wales, killed a.d. 1282. The possible residence, and certain possession of Owen of Wales, the Yeuan de Gailes of Eroissart, and the Owen Lawgoch of Welsh romantic tradition {Transactions of the Hon. Society of Cymmrodorion, Session 1899-1900, p. 54). The fact that this site is thus known to have been occupied at a particular date in the Middle Ages, and doubtless uninter- ruptedly for a long time before and after that date, renders it difficult, without excava- tion, to be certain whether any portion of the unquestionable remains are not of a much earlier period. The natural position is striking. The river Vyrnwy, a tribu- tary of the Severn, here makes one of its many loops ; the ends of the loop approach within 150 yards of each other, embracing within it an area of about 25 acres. At some period the river made for itself a straight cut across the neck of the loop, transforming the winding course into a back-water, and the loop into an actual island. Upon this island stand the remains. They consist only of earthen banks placed upon a slightly higher elevation of the ground. There are evidences of a rough parallelogram, the north bank being 114 yards long, the south about 112 yards, R2 132 UOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTH SHIRE : Parish of LLANSANTFFRAID FOOL. the east 7U yards, and the west 85 yards. The south-western angle, which isexcelleutly preserved, is tarried round upon a wide curve, but the other angles form practically right angles. At a distance of 66 yards from the eastern angle of tlie south bank is a break of 10 yards, where was an entrance. The outer slope of the bank is gentle, and falls about 12 feet to the bottom of a shallow ditch, the counterscarp is another gentle slope of about 4 feet. The entrance just referred to crosses the ditch, which may have been accidentally or intentionally tilled up at this point. The surface of the enclosure is fairly even, and there are no indications of internal structures, though a slight depression near the centre may mark a well. — Visited, 29th October, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 665. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 N.E.). Ded : St. Bride. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Pool; townships of Tref llan, Llanncrch Emrys, Dol wen, Melyniog fawr, Melyniog fach, and Lledrod, comprising the portion of the ancient parish of Llansantffraid ym Mechain, on the northern side of the river Vyrnwy, and now the civil parish of Llansantffraid Pool; and the townships of Trederwen, Trewylan and Collfryn, comprising the other moiety of the ancient parish on the southern bank of the Vyrnwy, and now the civil parish of Llansantffraid Douddwr, and (with the township of Llannerch celi or kila, in the parish of Llandrinio) the lordship of Deuthur. The church is in the civil parish of Llansantfl'raid Pool. An edifice, originally a small Early English church, having no structural di\ision between nave and chancel, to which several additions were subsequently made at different periods; a small north transept and a lengthened nave in late Decorated times; and an alteration of the transept at the commencement of the 18th centnrv. The church has undergone a thorough but careful restoration. The piscina, a double one, has been mutilated. The font is circular, and probably dates from the period of the Early English church; it is mounted on a modern base. There is a small brass to a former vicar, who died in 1696. The south porch is Perpendicular, but has been restored. — Visited, 2.>th April, 1910. Thomas, Hist. THoc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 247; Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Comb., 1885, V, ii, 46. An inventory of the registers, church plate, and parochial docu- ments is in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 17. Division V (Miscellaneous— Holy Wells). 666. Ffynnon y Ffinnant (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 N.E.). A well on the farm of Ffinnant, now closed. The well-chamber was approached by several steps, and its floor was flagged. A small wooden hut gave accommodation to bathers. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 6G7. Cae Gam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 12", long. 3° 11' 13"). A field on the farm of Pen y godor. Tithe Schedule, No. 945. There are now no indications of a cairn. 668. Y Gaer fawr and Pen y Gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 42", long. 3° 11' 10" and 5"). Two sites in the upper portion of Wyddigoed Wood, so called in the Tithe Schedule, Nos. 579a and 571. There are faint indications of entrenchments. — Visited, 25th April, 1910. 669. Pen y Groes and Nant Pen y Gross (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 56", long. 3° 10' 26"). ENVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 133 Parish of LLANSANTFFBAIO POOL. 670. "On the west end of the Four crosses farm house [lat. 52° 48' 2", long. 3° 10' 24"], there was an old Druidical circle, where it is said the king [Gwrthefyr] offered up sacrifice ere he went to battle [against the Saxons, " about the middle of the 5th century "]. The principal stone was rolled down the declivity and into the old house by some mischievous individuals " (Mont. Coll.^ 1871, iv, 94, note). Division VII (Finds). Roman, 671. Coins. A third brass of Constantine II; found at Glasgoed, in the township of Dolwen. In the Welshpool Museum. Mr. T. G. Jones, Cartrefle, Llansantffraid, has nine brass coins of various periods from Vespasian to Constantius II, which are believed to have been found in the neighbourhood. Medieval. 672. Pocket Sundial ; Brass, early 17th century; found about half-a-mile from Glasgoed farm (Mont. Coll., 1881, xv, 72). In the Welshpool Museum. 673. Stone Coffin. A fragment of a stone coffin, bearing a floriated design, was discovered during the restoration of the church in the year 1892 {Mont. Coll., 1892, xxvi, 255, with illustration). Stone spindle whorls and leaden bullets have been and are frequently found in various parts of the parish. Parisli of LLANWDDYN. Division la (Tumuli). 674. Cairn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E. ; lat. 52° 46' 28", long. 3° 26' 35"). The remains of a cairn on the high ground of Croes y Forwyn, about one mile north-north-east of Llanwddyn parish church. It is built of rough mountain stones, and measures 30 feet in circumference at base and 3 feet in height. This carnedd was partially cleared away about 20 years ago. Nothing is known to have been found in it. — Visited, 2nd September, 1910. 676. Carnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Alont. 8 S.E. ; lat. 52° 46' 2" ; long. 3° 26' 30"). About half-a-mile north-east of Llanwddyn parish church, on Croes y Forwyn, at an altitude of 1,392 feet, and 190 yards south-south-west of the boundary fence, on ground owned by the City Council of Liverpool. It has a present height of 2 feet, with a circumference at base of 60 feet, and is constructed of moderately- sized stones. On its flat top is a slight cavity. It appears as if an attempt at penetrating the carnedd had been made on its south side. — Visited, 2nd September, 1910. Division Ic (Meini hirion). 676. Croes y Forwyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.E.; lat. 52° 46' 50", long. 3° 26' 29"). A stone, not marked on the Ordnance sheet, 4 feet above and about 3 feet beneath the soil, placed near the highest point of Croes y Forwyn, at a height of 1,617 feet. This stone had long laid prostrate, until the 24th Sepf^ember, 1910, when the vicar of the parish (the Rev. John Williams, M.A.) caused it to be again placed erect on the same site. In so doing he took the opportunity of making careful search 134 ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE I Parish of LLANWDDYN. for any bones or other remains, but found none. The stone appears to have had two letters cut upon it, probably the initials of a parish officer), which are now indistinct. The maid whose memory the stone is traditionally said to commemorate is stated to have been found dead on the spot after a great snowstorm. — Visited, 2nd September 1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 677. The Hospice of the Knights of St. John (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet. Mont. 8 S.W.; lat. 32° 45' 44' , long. 3° 29' 5"). The foundations of this small house of Knights Hospitallers are about | of a mile to the south of lake \'yrnwy, nearly one mile north of the river Cownwy aqueduct, and some H miles direct west of the new parish church of Llanwddyn. The ruins are much overgrown with bracken and fern, but they appear to consist of an oblong building 40 feet by 20 feet. The walls stood 4 feet high within living memory, but in the year 1875 they were thoughtlessly pulled down and the stones carted away to build a neighbouring Nonconformist chapel. In 1910 a fragment of what appears to have been a stone fluted pillar (No. 704) was found by Miss Maud Williams, Llanwddyn Vicarage, amongst these ruins. Immediately to the south of the Hospitium there is a bank of earth and stone, enclosing a piece of ground 42 feet square, which was probably the garden of this lonely establishment. The well ' Ffynnon y Myneich ' is just south of the site. — Visited, 31st August, 1910. 678. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.E.). Ded : St. Wddyn. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Llan- fyllin; townships of Tre'rllan, Yspytty, and Dwyfi'rwd, the last added from Pennant in 1855. The present edifice was consecrated in 1888, having been erected by the Cor- poration of Liverpool in place of the old church (dedicated to St. John the Baptist) which was submerged when lake Vyrnwy was formed. A model of the old church, made in stone by a parishioner, is preserved in the modern edifice. The book-rest on the altar table is made of yew from one of the trees in the drowned churchyard, and two saplings taken from it now flourish in the new ground. The oldest gravestones, 1664 to 1767, were re-erected at the entrance of the new burial ground, to which all headstones were removed. — Visited, 2nd September, 1910. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 254; Glynne, 'Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1885, V, ii, 46. An inventory of the registers, plate, and parochial documents is in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 19. Division V (Miscellaneous — Holy Wells). 679. Ffynncn Dogfan* (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.W.; lat. 52° 47' 9". long. 3° 30' 30"). Owner and occupier, The Corporation of Liverpool. A well, flowing with considerable force, close to the north-eastern bank of lake Vyrnwy, and to the road between Llcchwedd and Ffimiant ; one mile west of Pont Ty Udia. Its water is now impounded by the Corporation of Liverpool. Prior to the formation of lake Vyrnwy it was in demand for eye diseases. — Visited, 31st August, 1910. 680. Ffynnon y Myneich (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.W.; lat. 32° 45' 44", long. 3° 29' 5"). An abundant well of copiously-running water, immediately to the south of the ruined hospice (No. 677). — Visited, 31st August, 1910. * This is called ' Ffynnon Dwgan ' in Thomas's Hist. Dioc. of St. Asaph, 1908, i, 'bti (note), and the suggestion is made that it may represent Dwyfan, the patron .saint of the mother cinirch of the neio'hbonring parish of Llanrhaiadr. DfVENTOEY OF THE COUNTY OF MOXTGOIIEET. 135 Parish of LLANWDDYN. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 681. Cae Maen Llwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.E.; lat. 52° 44' 57", long. 3° 26' 55"). Tithe Schedule, Xo. 132. A field on the farm of Garthbwlch, at present showing no signs of an antiquity. 682. Cae Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.E.; lat. 52° 44' 58", long. 3° 26' 46"). Tithe Schedule, No. 88. The field adjoining Cae Maen Llwyd to the east. There is no appearance, nor is anything known, of any tumulus or mound having stood here. 683. Maes y Carneddau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 14", long. 3° 29' 40"). Owner, the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool; occupier, Mrs. John Jones. Tithe Schedule, No. 341.— Visited, 31st August, 1910. 684. Cae y Carneddau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 15", long. 3^ 29' 25"). Owner, the Earl of Powis, Powis Castle, Welshpool; occupier, Mr. Ellis Gittins. Tithe Schedule, No. 330. A field about 300 yards east of Maes y Carneddau farm (No. 683). It is locally said that three small heaps of stones once stood here, which, about 100 years ago, were buried by the ancestor of the present occupier. Nothing now remains of these heaps. — Visited, 31st August, 1910. 685. Cae y Garn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.W.; lat. 52° 46' 2", long. 3° 21' 25"). Tithe Schedule, No. 521.— Visited, 31st August, 1910. 686. Cae y Garnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.W\; lat. 52° 47' 42", long. 3° 31' 30"). Owner and occupier, The Corporation of Liverpool. Tithe Schedule,, No. 42. A field, part of which is now covered by lake Vyrnwy, on the northern bank of the lake, in front of Garnedd wen (No. 691), near the side of the road where Nant Garnedd wen falls into the lake. The carnedd on this field is now submerged. Miss Erasmus, Alltf organ, formerly resident in Garnedd wen, has often heard it alluded to by old inhabitants. — Visited, 31st August, 1910. 687. Cae y Garnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 24", long. 3° 29' 50"). Tithe Schedule, No. 347. A field on the farm of Maes y Carneddau ( ?). On it are a few small heaps of gathered stones, but nothing is known of a carnedd. — Visited, 31st August, 1910. 688. Cae y Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.W.; lat. 52° 46' 10", long. 3° 28' 45"). Tithe Schedule, No. 542.— Visited, 31st August, 1910. 689. Ca9 y Garreg Iwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 30", long. 3° 25' 45"). Tithe Schedule, No. 690.— Visited, 26th January, 1911. 690. Ffridd St. loan (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.W.; lat. 52° 46' 30", long. 3° 30' 0"). A swampy meadow, doubtless once part of the Hospice property. — Visited, 31st August, 1910. 136 ROYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONTTMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of LLANWDDYN. 691. Garnedd Wen (Gin. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.W.; lat. 52° 47' 44", long. 3° 31' 33"). Owner and occupier, The Corporation of Liverpool. Tithe Schedule, No. 21. The ruins of a low one-storied house, probably of early 17th-century date, on the northern bank of lake Vyrnwy, near the point where Nant Garnedd wen flows into the lake. The remains of this old home of the Erasmus family show a mansion which occupied two sides of a square and faced Cae y garnedd (No. 686), now largely covered by the lake. Its two remaining doors have posts each composed of one stone. The lintels also are of single stones, slightly arched. The square windows on either side of the doors had stone mullions. — Visited, 31st August, 1910. 692. Garth Bwlch, Quakers' Yard (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.W.; lat. 52° 45' 1", long 3° 27' 53"). A burial ground belonging to the Society of Friends, on the farm of Bryn Cownwy, the western outskirts of Coed Garthbwlch, and one mile south of the modern village of Llanwddyn. Tt is not marked on the Ordnance sheet. It stands enclosed by a modern fence on the high ground close behind Bryn Cownwy, the large stone-paved kitchen of which was formerly used as the Friends' meeting-house. The inscription on an erect slate stone, recently placed in the middle of the small enclosure, is as follows : — " Site of the old Quaker Burial Ground attached to Garth Bwlch : 13 bodies are said to have been interred herein. Actual records show that David Lloyd (died in 1685) and John Thomas Morris of Bryn Cownwy (died in or about 1751) were of the number. Erected in 1910, at the cost of 4 members of the Society of Friends."— Visited, 31st August, 1910. 693. Gwely Wddyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 N.W.; lat. 52" 46' 23", long. 3° 29' 28"). A natural shelf of rock on the south side of lake Vyrnwy, to the south-east of Pistyll y Ceunant, at an altitude of 900 feet. It is very similar in appearance to St. Monacella's Bed in the parish of Pennant (No. 000). — Visited, 31st August, 1910. 694. Maes y garnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 8 S.E.; lat. 52° 45' 35", long. 3° 26' 0"). Tithe Schedule, No. 743. Nothing appears to be known of any antiquity. — Visited, 26th January, 1911. 695. Moel y Gadfa (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 7 N.E.; lat. 52° 47' 40", long. 3° 34' 30"). Open moorland, to the west of lake Vyrnwy, and north of Eunant Fach, the highest point attaining a height of 1,536 feet. No tradition survives in explanation of the name. 696. Garreg Wen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 4 S.W.; lat. 52° 49' 17\ long. 3° 30' 20"). To the west of the river Cedig, on Cefn gwyntog, about If miles north-west of the north of lake Vyrnwy. There appears to be nothing here but outcrop of natural rock. — Visited, 1st September, 1910. 697. Ancient Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 3 N.E. and 3 S.E.). A line of road, known in the locality as ' Stacros ' (' Ystrad y Groes '), about five miles north-west of the village of Llanwddyn, having a northerly course and crossing the Ber-^vyn hills. From Fedw ddu farm (lat. 52° 49' 10", long. 3° 33' 11") is closely follows the east side of Nant Nadrodd fach. It has been surmised (Arch, Camb., i856, III, ii, 195) that this may have been a Roman line of communication. INVEJfTORT OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMEHT. 137 Parish of LLANWDDYN. Division VII (Finds). 698. Sinker {?). A stone sinker (?), oval, 3| inches by 3 inches, having a hole in centre ; found in the township of Dwyffrwd, in 1906, by the vicar, the Rev. John Williams, in whose custody it is. — Seen, 7th September, 1910. 699. Spindle Wliorl (?). Stone, slightly oval, 2 inches in diameter, with hole in centre; found near Gwely Wddyn, and now in the possession of the Rev. J. Williams, vicar of the parish. — Seen, 7th September, 1910. 700. Quern. A lower or nether stone, found on the 12th September, 1910, during Liverpool Corporation excavations, between the vicarage and the river Vyrnwy. — Seen, 27th September, 1910. 701. Querns. Five stones, all of the same type, though each has a distinctive feature, which have been found at different periods within the parish, the latest within the last five years. Preserved in the grounds of the vicarage. — Seen, 2nd September, 1910. 702. Quern. A perfect example of both upper and nether stones, 14 inches by 3 inches ; placed for preservation in the parish church. — Seen, 2nd September, 1910. 703. l\/laen Camp, or Carreg y Gamp. A stone ball, weighing 75^ lbs., formerly used in the village games, and now preserved in the parish church. The player, bending low, grasped the stone ball, gently swayed it to and fro between his open legs, and then flung it over his head. The stone had always been kept in the old parish churchyard, now under lake Vyrnwy. — Seen, 2nd September, 1910. 704. Carved Stone. In November, 1910, a fragment of what appears to be a fluted stone pillar, measuring 7" >< 4" ^ 3", was found amongst the ruined foundation stones of the Hospice of St. John (No. 677) by Miss Maud Williams, Llanwddyn Vicarage. It has been placed, with other relics, in the parish church, and a record of it made by the vicar in the parish log-book. 705. Inscribed Stone. A stone, inscribed " R.W. 1584," which was over an out- house of Eunant Hall, the home of Rees Wynne, and now submerged by lake Vyrnwy, was removed to the Vyrnwy office of the Corporation of Liverpool, and from thence has been placed in the grounds of Llanwddyn vicarage. — Seen, 31st August, 1910. A photograph of Eunant Hall, a 17th-century residence, is reproduced in Arch. Camh., 1902, VI, ii, 306. 706. Rapier. A well-preserved rapier, with a blade of 26 inches, and embossed brass handle and quillons ; discovered about 60 years ago on the farm of Maes y Carneddau, where it is preserved. — Seen, 31st August, 1910. Parish of LLANWNOG. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division C (Roman). 707. Caersws— Roman Fort (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.E.). Owner, Mr. David Davies, M.P., Llandinam. The village of Caersws has long been known to occupy the site of a Roman military station. Excavations were conducted during the year 1909, and are still S 138 KOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE I Parish of LLANWNOG. being foiitiiiiied jy the Liverpool Society for the Excavation of Historic Sites in Wales and the Marches, which have resulted in the discovery of the main features Fig. 35— LLANWNOG : ROMAN STATION, CAERSWS (No. 707) ; plan. of the station. These are fully described in the Report issued by the Society of its operations in 1909. Roman Roads. The existence of the Roman fort having been abundantly demonstrated, it follows that there must have been a system of communications connecting it with other positions in different districts. These roads have not yet been traced for any distance. In addition to the lines of Roman roads starting from Caersws shown on the Ordnance sheets, the following indications, contributed by helpful place-names taken from the Tithe Schedules, probably mark the courses taken by the roads in various directions. The field immediately north of Pen dinas, and lying to the left of the pathway from Caersws to Llanwnog, is called ' Cae Sarn ' in a roll of the Gregynog estate of about the end of the 18th century, and almost certainly marks the direction taken by the road leaving the north-western gate of the station. This is in lat. 52° 31' 11", long. 3° 26' 0". A small house on the road from Llanwnog village to Pont dol goch is called ' Ty'n y sarn ' ; it is shown on the Ordnance sheet. The field directly north of this house, and on the other side of the roadway, is given as ' Cae Sarn ' in the Tithe Schedule (No. 361), and the two meadows to the south-west of the house are called ' Cae Sarn nessa ' (No. 1347), and ' Cae Sarn pella ' (No. 1346), respectively. The exact locations are : ' Cae Sam,' Tithe Schedule. No. 361, lat. 52° 31' 56", long. 3° 26' 45"; ' Cae Sarn nessa,' No. 1347, lat. 52° 31' 53", long. 3° 26' 46"; ' Cae Sarn pella,' No. 1346, lat. INVENTORY OF TUE COUMY OF MONTGOMEET. 139 Parish of LLANWNOa. 52° 31' 52", long. 3° 26' 47". The next indication of the presence of the road is given by a field called ' Cae Sarn ' on the farm of Cross Gates, not far from the small hamlet of Clatter. The precise spot is lat. 52° 32' 37", long. 3° 28' 0". Should the ' Gaer ' at Carno prove to be the first station north-westward of Caersws, as appears probable, the Roman road must have crossed the river Carno a little south of Capel Salem, and be continued along the road skirting Allt y genlli, its course being indicated by Tithe Schedule, Nos. 1502 and 1524 (parish of Carno, which see), where they are styled ' Old Eoad.' Division II (Earthworks), sub-division C (Rectangul.^r camps). 708. Gwyn fynycid Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.E.; lat. 52° 31' 53", long. 3° 25' 2"). Owners, the Montgomeryshire County Council (Small Holdings Committee). A camp situated about 1| miles N.N.E. of the Roman station of Caersws, and within a few yards of an unquestionable Roman road. It stands at a height of 600 feet above sea level. In shape it is a rough parallelogram, having its main axis running N.N.W. and S.S.E. It seems to be constructed after a Roman model, but situated as it is in the midst of a cultivated field from which it is not separated by any form of boundary, the salient features have become obscure or been ploughed dov^^n altogether. The best preserved side is that to the west, which measured about 150 feet; there are no indications of an entrance on this side. Taking a southerly direction along the rampart, the south- western angle is found to be well marked. The vallum on the south side is plain for a distance of 36 feet, when it disappears for quite 100 feet, to begin again about 60 feet from the south-eastern angle. This would give the southern face a length of about 200 feet. The east side extends without a break for about 120 feet. The north-eastern corner is a perfect rectangle, with the angles rounded off in very Roman fashion. The vallum is continued along the northern face for 70 feet, when comes a probably modern gap of 10 feet, followed by an uneven length of vallum for a distance of 90 feet, and next by a broad entrance of 30 feet, and a further continuation of the vallum for about 20 feet — making a total of about 220 feet to the curve to the north-west. The bank varies in height from 3 to 5 feet, and appears to be constructed of earth alone. There are no indications of a roadway or other marks of occupation within the enclosure. — Visited, 14th July, 1909. Division II (E.^rthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 709. Wyle Cop (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.E.; lat. 52° 32' 23", long. 3° 26' 24"). Owner, Mr. E. Pugh, 39 Kenyon Road, Wavertree, Liverpool; occupier, Mr. Richard Rees. This is not so much a mound with ditch and outer bank, as two banks with a deep intervening ditch. The banks run east and west, with a slight bend inwards, which gives them the appearance of being on a curve. The western termination abuts upon a tiny and very precipitous dingle, which cuts it effectually off from the ground to the west. The outer rampart is of an average 6 feet in external height, and internally it falls 12 feet. The ditch has an average width of 6 feet at the bottom, and 12 feet at the ground level. The dimensions of the inner or lower bank are nearly similar, but it decreases in height as it proceeds eastwards. This bank has been dug into not far from the western end, and the cleft has given its western termination'something of the appearance of a mound of the Norman-Welsh period. After a course of 140 feet, there comes a break in both banks, in the outer bank of 8 or 9 feet, in the inner a mere gap. The outer bank is continued at a slightly lower level for 25 or 30 feet, when it seems to join a bank running down the hill for another 80 or 90 feet. The gap in the inner bank referred to may not be an original feature; it is not continued parallel with the outer bank, but terminates with a tiny mound on the furtlier side of the gap. The ground in front falls off in a gentle slope to the plain of the Severn, with the Roman station of Caersws in full view a mile and a half away. S2 1-iU ROYAL COMMISSION OX .\jrCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of LLANWNOG. The work is unquestionably defensive, but it is not easy to comprehend its purpose, as it is open to a turning movement on the right, and it is also quite open to the north, towards which the ground rises for over 200 feet. — Visited, 30th September, 1909. Division III (Domestic Structures). 710. Park (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.E.; lat. 52° 31' 2", long. 3° 27' 38"). Owners, University College, Oxford; occupier, Mr. D. M. Hughes. One of the best preserved examples of Tudor architecture in the county. An excellent description of it, accompanied by an admirable illustration, is given in Mont. Coll., 1884, xvii, 361. i^IUttslraled, figure 36.] Division IV (Ecclesi.'^stical Structures). 711. The Parish Church* (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.E.). Ded : St. Gwynnog. Diocese of Bangor: archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Arwystli; townships of Weeg, Surnant, Escob and Castle, Uwch law'r coed, Caersvvs. The edifice is practically new, though it probably incorporates some of the material of the structure it has replaced. In the south side of the east wall externally is a stone bearing the initials M.S. and the date 1660, part of a grave- stone found beneath the surface about forty years ago. The rood screen, of the latter part of the fifteenth century, is still in situ; it is of very good workmanship, both in design and execution. The panels of the loft facing the nave have been removed, and replaced by poor and comparatively modern work. The side fronting the altar is still fairly complete. An excellent account of the screen, with illustrations, is given in Mont. Coll., March 1902, xxxii, 12. The ancient steps to the loft still remain, each step being formed of a solid oaken block. In a small two-light w indow on the north side of the church, and at present much hidden by the organ, have been placed in utter disorder the fragments of a stained glass window of the early fifteenth century, which probably had once occu- pied the eastern end of the church. The principal fragment represents the patron saint in the robes and mitre of an abbot, having his crozier in his left hand and with his right uplifted in blessing. Beneath is the inscription " See Gwinnog." Over the figure is a rich canopy showing late Decorated detail, and portions of it are to be seen in the carelessly arranged fragments in the other light. A few words of an inscription are also perceptible, but insufficient to admit of its elucidation. — Visited, 6th September, 1909. Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1901, VI, i, 145. [Illustrated, figu/re 37.] Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 712. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.E.; lat. 52° 31' 30", long. 3° 26' 4"). A small rectangular enclosure, having its southern side missing, is shown upon the Ordnance sheet at the above spot, almost midway between Caersws and the village of Llanw^nog. There are at present no indications of a defensive position. The ground is very marshy, and whatever earthen banks may have once upon a time existed, were probably for agrarian rather than for military purposes. — Visited, 6th September, 1909. " 713. Castle (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.W. ; lat. 52° 31' 23", long. 3° 29' 13"). A farm so called, on the southern foot of Ystrad Faelog hill. Tithe Schedule, No. 869. There is no present appearance of any ancient structure. 714. Cae Garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.W.; lat. 52° 30' 52", long. 3° 28' 20"). Tithe Schedule, No. 813. A field on Ffridd issa farm. * In the churchyard rest the remains of the Welsh poet, John Ceiriog Hughes. Fig. 36.— LLANWXOG : PARK HOUSE (Xo. 710) : STAIRC'ASK, Fig. 37 — LLANWNOG : THE PARISH CHURCH (Xo. STAINED GLASS FIGURE OF ST. GWX.VOG. 711). INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 141 Parish of LLANWNOG. Division VII (Finds). 715. Spherical Stone ; found in the Castle Field, Caersws, during the construction of the railway. 716. Quern ; found at Caersws. 717. Quern, part of; found at Caersws. Roman. 718. Fragments of Samian ware and other objects, from Caersws. 719. Coins. (1) 2nd brass of Vespasian or Titus; much defaced. (2) Illegible. Parish of LLANWRIN. Division III (Domestic Structures). 720. Matliafarn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.W.; lat. 52° 37' 29", long. 30 45/ 47//^ Owner, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Wynnstay, Ruabon; occupier, Mr. Edward Hughes. The ancestral residence of the family of Pugh. Henry, Duke of Richmond, is said to have stayed here on his march from Milford to Bosworth. An older house, of which no trace remains, is said to have stood on Cae Ewan, a short distance from the present house, and close to the fifth milestone from Machynlleth. The oldest portion of the present structure bears a well-preserved stone inscribed : R.f^- The stone pillars of the entrance gate, the stone bridge over the brook Ceirig in the farm yard, the brew house, and the earliest of the barns are all probably of the same date. One side of the avenue of 18 fine lime trees yet remains, the other side was cut down many years since. Some of the huge oak beams in the barn are said to have been used previously in the building of the iron smelting forge which once stood on ' Cae Forge,' close to Mathafarn. Some parts of the forge walls were standing within living memory, and it is said that the timbers were taken to build Mathafarn barn.— Visited, 26th May, 1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 721. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.W.). Ded : St. Gwrin. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Cyfeiliog; townships of Llanwrin, Glyn caerig, Llanfechan, Blaengleserch. A late 16th-century church, without structural division between nave and chancel. It has undergone restoration within the last half-century. The only original feature that has been retained is- the east window, which still has some early glass in its upper lights. The font is Perpendicular. In the middle of the l7th century a western gallery was added, probably to permit of the space beneath being used as a school. This gallery was removed in 1864, but the low stone screen upon which the timbers of the gallery rested has been allowed to remain. At the same time the wooden altar rails were placed flat against the east wall. They bear the date of 1709, and the words of Psalm xxvi, 6, m Welsh. The altar table is dated 1636. —Visited, 24th May, 1910. Glynne, ' Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1901. VI, i, 146. Division V (Miscellaneous). 722. Ancient Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 18 N.E. and S.E., 25 N.E.). A road leading down the valley of the Dulas, from above Aberllefeni, probably Roman {Arch. Camb., 1856, III, ii, 195). The portion of it from Ffridd 112 ROYAL COMMISSION ON .\NCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MDNMOUTHSHIKE I Parish of LLANWBIN. Gate (Ord. sheet, 25 N.E.) to Esgair-geiliog (Ord. sheet, 18 S.E.) is m most parts well marked by ancient cobbling, especiallv af Llwvngwern (25 N.E.), where for a long stretch the width of 48 inches of cobbles is most'regular. A slight rise towards the centre yet remains, and in one spot for a distance of two yards the marginal stones can be traced. In places where the surface is naked rock,"^the wheel ruts and tracks are deeply worn. There are no suggestive place-names on the line iust indi- cated.— Visited, 24th May, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquari.^n Interest). 723. Cae y tri Sant (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 26 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 52", long. 3° 47' 22"). Owner, Sir Watkin Williams Wynn, Bart., Wynnstay, Ruabon; occupier, Mr. Maurice Ryder, Ty ucha, Llanwrin. A field south-east of Llanwrin, and opposite to the village smithy. Tithe Schedule, No. 883. The name is said locally to refer to the three saints, Dyfnig, Gwrin and Ust, but there is no tradition to account for the association. — Visited, 23rd May, 1910. 724. Cae Garreg Wen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 S.W.; lat. 52° 37' 50", long. 3° 45' 20"). Tithe Schedule, Nos. 769-773 and 781. There is now no white stone visible on the fields, nor does there seem to be anv local knowledge of such. — Visited, 25th May, 1910. 725. Cockshecl (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 S.W.; lat. 52° 38' 4", long. 3° 45' 9"). A small farm-holding, north-north-west of, and on the verge of Coed Mawr; said locally to have been given to the then owner of Mathafarn by Henry, Duke of Richmond, for some service rendered to him when halting at Mathafarn on his march from Milford Haven to Bosworth. — Visited, 25th May, 1910. 726. Pant y Garnecld (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 S.W. ; lat. 52° 38' 15", long. 3° 47' 18"). A field on the farm of Maesycreiau. Tithe Schedule, No. 303. There is no trace of a cairn on it, neither is the field known by that name at the present day. — Visited, 26th :\Iay, 1910. 727. Cae Cerrig Gwynion (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 S.E. ; lat. 52° 38' 17", long. 3° 44' 25"). Owner, Sir W. W. Wynn, Bart.; occupier, Mrs. Jane Evans, Cefn y gader, Llanwrin. A field on the farm of Cefn y gader. Tithe Schedule, No. 820. Said to have been so named owing to the quantity of small white stones turned up when plough- ing.— Visited, 25th May, 1910. 728. Cae Maen Llwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 S.E.; lat. 52° 38' 34", long. 3° 43' 50"). Tithe Schedule, No. 444.— Visited, 25th May, 1910. 720. Ffridd y Castell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 19 S.E.; lat. 52° 39' 0", long. 3° 44' 0"). One mile north-west of Cemmes; east of Cefn Llwyd. Tithe Schedule, No. 107. This place-name does not seem to be known locally, nor is there any apparent reason for it. Enquiry in the district from old persons evoked no satis- factory explanation. — Visited, 25th May, 1910. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 143 Parish of LLANWRIN. Division VII (Finds). 730. Stone. The top stone of a circular quern, 16 inches in diameter, with hole in the centre, surrounded by concentric rings; in perfect preservation. Found when draining the cwm on Cefn y gader, about the year 1900; now in possession of Mrs. Jane Evans, the occupier of the farm. — Seen, 25th May, 1910. 731. Iron. A cannon ball, 17 inches in circumference, " found in the parish," and now at the village smithy. — Seen on 23rd May, 1910. Parish of LLANWYDDELAN. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill camps). 732. Pen y Gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 8", long. 3° 22' 38"). Owners, the Montgomeryshire County Council (Small Holdings Committee). A small pear-shaped camp on the summit of a bleak hill, the narrow end projected westward. It consisted of a bank and external ditch, but both have almost entirely disappeared, the former into the latter. The outline is very irregular. — Visited, 23rd August, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 733. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 N.W.). Ded : St. Gwyddelan. Diocese of St. Asaph; arch-deaconry of Montgomery; rural- deanery of Caereinion ; townships of Pencoed, Treganol, Pen y maes. The present edifice is erected on the site of an earlier one, pulled down in 1865. The font is the only survival. It is of late 15th-century date, octagonal in shape, and clumsy in appearance. — Visited, 3rd November, 1909. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 734. Pen y Gross isa, Pen y Gross ucha (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 28 S.E. ; lat. 52° 34' 27", long. 3° 25' 45" ; lat. 52° 34' 36", long. 3° 25' 24", respectively). Two boulders, each of about 30 inches high, marked on the Tithe Map as ' Antiquities.' They are placed on the line separating the parishes of Llan- wyddelan and Tregynon, and were doubtless intended for boundary stones. Their position is well known to the people of the neighbourhood, but their names appear to have been forgotten. — Visited, 18th July, 1910. 735. Castsll y Waun (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 28 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 19", long. 3° 24' 41"). The name of a farm in the township of Treganol, called ' Castell y Wern ' in the Tithe Schedule, No. 46. About | mile directly east, but in the adjoining township of Pen y maes, the original 1 inch map shows a camp which it calls ' Castell,' and close by are the farmsteads of ' Castell isaf ' and ' Castell uchaf ' (Tithe Schedule, Nos. 66 and 54, respectively). This Castell stood on the farm of Fron haul, at lat. 52° 35' 14", long. 3° 23' 45", but there is at present no vestige of its remains. — Visited, 18th July, 1910. 736. Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 S.W. ; lat. 52° 35' 52", long. 3° 21' 7"). On a small eminence to the south of the parish church, and at the distance of about 500 yards, the original 1 inch Ordnance Map marks a camp. The site is still known as ' Barclodied y Gawres,' the giantess's apronful — a not uncommon name given in Wales to glacial moraines. There are abundant indications of human 14,4 EOYAL COMMISSION ON .UiClENT MONUMENTS IN W^VLES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE I Parish of LLANWYDDELAN. occupation, but no signs of earthen banks. As the surrounding area has been cultivated for many generations, and a house once stood, probably from medieval times, at the western end of the little eminence, any banks and boulders would almost certainly have been utilised or destroyed. — Visited, 3rd November, 1909. 737. Din Gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 S.W.). A farm bearing this doubly-significant name, but now containing no visible appearance of either a ' din ' or a ' caer.' Tithe Schedule, No. 487. At the very easternmost corner of the parish, within a few yards west of New Mills Bridge, the Ordnance sheet 29 S.W. gives ' Dolgar,' for a more probable Dol gaer, but there is no present evidence of an earthen camp. The original Dol gaer is placed at lat. 52° 35' 42", long. 3° 20' 45", and is numbered 837 in the Tithe Schedule. 738. Cae Maen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 S.W.; lat. 52° 35' 11", long. 3° 23' 11"). Tithe Schedule, No. 334. 739. Carnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 S.W.). A farm of this name in the township of Pen y maes, with no present indications of a cairn. 740. Cae garreg fawr (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 28 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 5", long. 3° 24' 25"). A field on the right bank of the little brook called Crugnant, within a few yards of its fall into the river Rhiw. Tithe Schedule, No. 101. Close by are two houses called ' Hen dai,' with a ford over the brook, and a footpath leading to what the Ordnance sheet gives as ' Cut hir,' but what should probably be ' Cyttir,' the once open townland of the trev of Pen y Coed. 741. Cae Maen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 4", long. 3° 21' 45"). A field on the farm of Ffinnant Ucha. Tithe Schedule, No. 753. 742. Erw garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 4", long. 3° 21' 10"). A field to the north-west of the parish church. Tithe Survey, No. 940. 743. Wern Arthur (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 N.W.; lat. 52° 36' 7", long. 3° 20' 44"). Tithe Schedule, No. 894. Parisli of MACHYNLLETH. Division Ic (Meini hirion). 744. Maen Llwyd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 26", long. 3° 50' 29"). Owner, Dr. Alfred O. Davies, Bronwylfa, Machynlleth. An unhewn monolith, 5 feet 6 inches high and 15 feet in girth. No traditions seem to be connected with it. The field in which it stands is called ' Cae Maen Llwyd ' in the Tithe Schedule, No. 615.— Visited, 23rd April, 1910. Fig. :;8. -.\IACIIVNI.I,KI'1I : oWKX ( i I, VXHWITS I'AIi fJ A M KM' Hul'SK (Nn. 7lii): KXTKIMOK. Fig. 39.— MACHYNLLETH: OWEX GLYXDWlf.S L'AKLl.V.MKXT HOL'.SK (Xo. 710); INTERIOR. IXVEXTOUY OF THE COUXTY OF MOXTUOMEHY. 145 Parish of MACHYNLLETH. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 746. Gallt y Gog (6 in. Ord Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 40", long. 3° 50' 34"). Owner, Mrs. Joseph Evans, Fron y Gog, Machynlleth. A small earthwork on the summit of the hill of this name, at the foot of which is the town of Alachynlleth. A well-defined and nearly semi-circular vallum, 220 feet in length, defends the area from the north; the southern side of the hill, being well-nigh precipitous, no further defence was needed there. The apex of the interior is marked by a natural outcrop of rock. Rushes grow freely in two or three spots by this rock. Slight traces of a ditch remain on the exterior side of the vallum. The entrance was probably from the south-east. Within the lines of this earthwork a well-preserved polished stone celt, 8 inches in length and 3 inches in breadth, was found some years since by the Rev. Josiah Jones, Independent minister, Machynlleth, in whose possession it still remains. This earthwork is not marked as an antiquity on the Ordnance Survey sheet. — Visited, 22nd April, 1910. Division III (Domestic structures). 746. Owen Glyndwr's Parliament House (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 26", long. 3° 50' 52"). A building of the late 15th or early 16th century, in the main street of the town of Machynlleth, traditionally said to be the place of assemblage of the followers of Owen Glyndwr in 1402. It has recently been purchased by Mr. David Davies, M.P., and is being reconstructed as a public institute and library. Some of the original oak timbering remains to the roof, and one strong tie beam has a shallow Perpendicular moulding. The essential features of the building have been carefully retained, but its long degredation had already robbed it of all its pristine characteristics. — Visited, 5th November, 1909. lllliistrated, figures 38 and 39.] Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 747. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.). Ded : St. Peter. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Cyfeiliog; townships, formerly Isygarreg and Uwchygarreg, now independent civil parishes. A church consisting of chancel, nave and western tower. The latter is the oldest feature of the present building, but is itself not earlier than the latter part of the 15th century. Its basement, which is entered by several steps from the church, was transformed into a baptistry at the restoration of 1894. The font, of the 15th century, has a modern base. The church is of unusual width for a single chambered edifice, and was evidently constructed for side galleries; their removal has given the structure a sense of dignity and spaciousness. The nave and chancel are of the same height and breadth. The chancel is divided into two equal halves by a wall pierced by a pointed arch, the northern side being the organ chamber. The entrance is by a south door near the western end of the building, and immediately opposite, on the north side, is a chamber, at present a vestry, with an upper floor now used as a family pew. The view into the church is by a large centre and two smaller side apertures. — Visited, 5th November, 1909. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 748. Supposed Site of Maglona (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 20", long. 3° 50' 38"). Owner, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, The Plas, Machynlleth. The supposed site of the Roman station of Maglona lies south of the town of Machynlleth, and west of Park Common, and is practically that of the Plas grounds. Mr. Edward Rees, Machynlleth, speaking with 48 vears' personal knowledge, says that, although he knows of three extensive excavations of the town, for water, gas T 146 KOVAl. COMMISSION OX ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE: Parish of MACHYNLLETH. and sewerage works, nothing indicative of Roman occupation has been found. This statement is confirmed by the Rev. Josiah Jones, Independent Minister, Machynlleth, who has lived in the town for more than half a century, and has watched any openings of the soil, and excavations made for building and other pur- poses. No traces of a camp are visible in the Plas grounds. — Visited, 22nd April, 1910. 749. Cae Maen Uwyd ucha (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 34", long. 3° 50' 14"). Owner, Mr. David Davies, M.P., Llandinam; occupier, the dowager Lady Pryse. A field at the back of the modern house called ' The Xewlands.' There is now no indication of an upright stone. Tithe Schedule, No. 630. — Visited, 22nd April, 1910. 750. Cafr Gybl (,<; in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 3", long. 30° 51' 31"). Owner, Lord Herbert Vane Tempest, The Plas, Machynlleth. The name by which two cottages on the north-west slope of Y Wylfa are now known. The caer is traditionally said to be marked by a few unhewn stones, some 500 vards behind the cottages, and within the Plas enclosure. — Visited, 4th May, 1910. 751. Werglodd Pensarn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 50", long. 3° 51' 8"). A field to the north-east of the station of the Corris Railway, on the right side of the road leading to Dyfi Bridge. The road, which is subject to floods, is said locally to have been called ' Sarn.' On either side of it are raised causeways for foot passengers. Tithe Schedule, No. 687. — Visited, 22nd April, 1910. 752. Maengwyn Street, Machynlletti (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.). Said to be so named from the white stones which, from time immemorial, have stood by the roadside, close to the house known as ' Old Maengw^yn.' The street is mentioned as ' Maengwvn Street ' in a will of the year 1597 (Mont. Coll., 1888, xxi, 220). 753. Carreg Fasnach (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 25 S.E.; lat. 52° 35' 17", long. 3° 50' 17"). A spot, with a natural outcrop of rock, where tradition has it that Machynlleth markets were held during an outbreak of plague, the money used in barter being washed in the adjoining brook, called Nant yr Arian. — Visited, 20th April, 1910. Division VII (Finds). 754. Stone Celt ; discovered some 25 years since by the Rev. Josiah Jones, Inde- pendent minister, Machynlleth, when digging the foundations of his house, ' Maenllwvd," close to the ^laen Llwyd, and at foot of Gallt y Gog. A smoothed stone celt, 6 inches in length, sharpened at the end. Now in the finder's custody. — Seen, 21st April, 1910. Mr. Jones also has in his possession the stone celt mentioned in No. 745. 755. Stone hammer; found in an old copper mine "near Machynlleth" in the year 1859; exhibited at the Cambrian Archaeological Associations meeting at Bala in 1866 {Arch. Camb., 1866, III, xii, 544). INVENTORY OF THE COtTNTT OF MONTGOMERY. 147 Parisli of MANAFON. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman-Welsh mounts, WITH enclosures). 756. The Moat (6 m. Ord. Surv. sheet, :Mont. 29 N.E. ; lat. 52° 36' 34", long. 3° 18' 30"; but not marked as an antiquity). Owner, Mr. W. E. Vernon, solicitor, Birmingham ; occupier, Mr. Evan Evans. A good example of a mound-and-bailey castle, on the homestead called The Moat Farm, and adjoining the farm buildings on the south-east. It stands on ground rising sharply from the banks of the river Rhiw, which flows within a few yards of the base of the mound. The mound varies from 20 to 30 yards high, and at the summit is an almost perfect circle of 12 yards diameter. The cart road has swept a\vay the greater part of the moat, but it is still to be traced in places. The enclosure probably lay to the west of the mound, and comprised the open ground bounded by the Rhiw, but there is now no vestige of its defences. — Visited, 3rd November, 1909. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 757. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 N.E.). Ded : St. Michael. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Caer- einion; townships of Manafon Llys, Manafon Llan, Caenog, Dwyrhiw. The edifice was restored in 1860, and again in 1898, so that practically no ancient feature remains save the stoup, which came to light in the course of one of the restorations; it has been built into the wall on the eastern side of the south entrance door. Some portions of the nave roofing are original. — Visited, 28th October, 1909. Thomas, Hist. Dioc. St. Asaph, 1908, i, 489; Glynne, 'Notes,' Arch. Camb., 1884, V, i, 93. An inventory of the registers, church plate and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Dec, 1906, xxxiv, 231. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 758. Carreg Arthur (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 22 S.E.; lat. 52° 38' 5", long. 3° 17' 12"). Owner, the rector of Tregynon; occupier, Mr. John Jones, Carreg Arthur, Llanfair Caereinion. A natural boulder standing on the edge of the upland district called Y Byrwydd. Its present shape precludes the idea that it has formed part of a cromlech, though it may itself be the remaining fragment of a larger mass. It is probably a survival of the ice age. It lies directly upon the line between the parishes of Manafon and Llanfair Caereinion, its size having probably made it a good boundary mark. There are no existing traditions connected with it. The field is No. 35 of the Tithe Schedule. There is a Wern Arthur in the adjoining parish of Llanwyddelan (No. 743).— Visited, 1st November, 1909. 759. Cae Pen y Garn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 29 N.E. ; lat. 52° 36' 49", long. 3° 18' 26"). The field north-west of the rectory. Tithe Schedule, No. 705. 760. Garnedd Wen, Pant y Garnedd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, :\ront. 28 N.E.; lat. 52° 36' 6", long. 3° 25' 0" ; lat. 52° 36' 7", long. 3° 25' 20"). In a detached portion of the parish enclosed within the parish of Llanllugan. Tithe Schedule, Nos. 1510 and 1513. The homestead of Garnedd wen (or another of the same name). Tithe Schedule, No. 1802, is about two miles to the west, upon the slopes of Mynydd Garnedd wen. Division VII (Finds). 761. Prehistoric. A human tooth and bone, found in a cistfaen at Cae y Ffordd. In the Welshpool Museum. T2 148 lil)V.\L COMMISSIO.N OX AXtlE-NT MOXCMEXTS IN WALES .\KD MONMOUTHSHIRE I Parish of MEIFOD. Division II (Earthworks), sub division H (Hill forts). 762. Trefnanney Camp (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.W.; lat. ;)2° 43' 52-5", long. 3° 10' 45"). Owner, Major G. H. Mytton, Garth, Guilsfield; occupier, Mr. John Humphreys. A camp occupying a fine eminence upon Trefnanney Farm. The defences, which apparently consisted of only a broad and shallow ditch, have almost dis- appeared. The position, though abrupt on the northern and western sides, is easy of access on the east. The interior area measures about half an acre. The camp is of simple tvpe, and was probably primarily intended for cattle. — Visited, 26th April, 1910.' Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Horse-shoe camps). 763. Camp m Gwern ddu Wood (6 in. Ord. Snrv. sheet, Mont. 14S.E.; lat. 52° 41' 13", long. 3° 16' 15"). A camp on the lower slopes of (iwern ddu wood. It is of simple character, being formed of a low bank and shallow ditch, and even these features are not apparent in the complete circuit. They are, however, quite distinct at the north- western angle, where was the entrance. The shape of the enclosure is roughly circular, but, so far as can be made out, the eastern side had an almost straight course along the line of the hill, which rises several hundred feet above it. — Visited, nth April, 1910. Division IT (Earthworks), .sub-division E (Norman-Welsh mounts, WITH enclosures). 764. (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.E. ; lat. 52° 43' 57", long. 3° 9' 43"). Owner, Mrs. Harrison, Welshpool ; occupier, Mr. David Benbow. A mound upon the farm of Pentre llaeth enwyn (better known in the neigh- bourhood as ' Pentre butter-milk '), not marked upon the Ordnance sheet as an antiquity, but quite certainly an artificial mound. The ground around it has been under the plough, probably for centuries. There is now no moat, though there are slight indications of one. The whole has been much broken down, and measurements would be altogether illusory. The field is entei'cd in the Tithe Schedule, No. 52, as ' Moat piece.'— Visited, 26th April, 1910. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified). 765. Bwlch y Cibau Dyke (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 10 S.W. and 15 N.W. ; lat. (northern termination) 52° 44' 44", long. 3° 12' 23"; lat. (southern termina- tion) 52° 44' 18", long. 3° 13' 3"). An earthwork, possibly consisting of tw^o independent structures, that e.x;tends for upwards of a mile. At its northernmost point above indicated the dyke commences its course on the southern bank of the nameless brook that runs through the pass of Bwlch y Cibau to join the Vyrnwy. The modern road through the pass has swept away the end of the dyke where it actually touched the edge of the stream, but the precise point of contact is still traceable. The ground on the northern side of the stream rises precipitously through a dense plantation, but there are no indications that an earthwork ever existed upon that side. At first its course is directly south, over slightly rising old meadow ground. It has been much broken into, and in many places is not to be distinguished from an ordinary hedge but for its accompanying ditch. The ditch is always on the lower, or southern, side of the bank. About 100 yards from its northern end the dyke enters a little wood which follows the course of the ground to the bottom of a tiny dingle, and rises with the wood on the other side. In the plantation the lines of the dyke and ditch are well preserved; the bank rises about 6 feet on its exterior side, and drops about 10 feet to the bottom of the ditch. The breadth of the bank at the ground level averages 18 feet, and the width of the ditch at the same level is about 12 feet. From the little dingle just mentioned to the cottages called Bitfalld there nrVENTOEY OF THE COUNTY OF MOXTGOMEEY. 149 Parish of MEIFOD. is a slight rise in level, the direction taken by the dyke continuing southerly. If it ever passed through the farm premises its course cannot at present be follov^^ed with certainty. But at a slight distance beyond the Bitfalld cottages, and to the south- west of them, the same or a similar bank and ditch appear. This follows a some- what irregular west-south-west course for above three-quarters of a mile, over slightly rising ground, and terminating at the little farmstead of Pen y Boncyn. At certain points of this line, the natural drop of the ground southwards is so sharp that the bank is lost in the abruptness of the slope, but the ditch is continued throughout at the foot of the drop. But before it reaches its end at Pen y Boncyn the earthen bank again appears, with its ditch. At its terminal point it is no more than 3 feet high, and the ditch is but a slight depression. Immediately beyond rises the sharp peak of Moel y Main. In neither section of its course, to the north or south of the Bitfalld cottages, does the bank avail itself of any natural formation of the ground that would strengthen its front, and though it occupies high ground, with a fine prospect over the valley of the Vyrnwy, the view is restricted by the heights which dominate both of its extremities. It is, moreover, not placed upon the crest of the ridge between the valleys of the Vyrnwy and the Cain, but has higher ground behind it. It is difficult to regard it as intended to serve a defensive purpose, but the works at the Bitfalld cottages, where two or three curvilinear lines are well marked, have a decidedly military appearance. The probability is that there was at Bitfalld a camp of considerable strength, much of w-hich was swept away when the farm and buildings were erected, and that two separate boundary banks were drawn up at some later period, possibly in medieval times, one running north and south, the other running east and west, and joining at the camp, some of the defences of which were utilised by each.* — Visited, 22nd June, 1910. A sketch of a greater portion of the work, and a section of it at Bitfalld are given in Mont. Coll., 1876, ix, 317. 766. Llechryd (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 N.W.; lat. 52° 44' 12", long. 3° 11' 24"). A small earthwork, which was doubtless originally constructed to protect an important ford over the river Vyrnwy, and which at a later period probably gave way to a medieval dwelling. What is visible at the present time is a cut from the river, extending for 25 yards, with another cut at right angles, of about 30 yards in length ; if the third side was defended by a similar channel running to the river, it has disappeared. What appear to be the foundations of a stone construction of quite indefinite purpose have been met with on the opposite side of the river. — Visited, 17th June, 1910. 767. Bwlch y Cibau (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 10 S.W.; lat. 52° 44' 50", long. 3° 13' 12'). Owner, Brigadier-General A. E. Sandbach, C.B., D.S.O., Bryngwyn; occupier, the Vicar of Bwlch y Cibau. A camp is said to have existed behind the vicarage house of Bwlch y Cibau, and there are faint indications of what appears to have been an enclosure ; but it is impossible to speak with certainty upon the point. Mont. Coll., 1876, ix, 318, gives a plan and section of the camp, which it calls ' Brynbowliau,' ' the bowling hill '— a name by which it is still known.— Visited, 30th June, 1910. Division III (Domestic structures). 76S. Upper Fawnog (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15N,E.; lat. 52° 43' 37", long. 3° 9' 49"). Owner, Major G. H. Mytton, Garth, Guilsfield; occupier, Mr. John Eoberts. An ancient house, which has retained only the upper portion of its central projection. The space beneath is, and probably always was, an open porch; the black-and-white timbering of the upper storey is of the late 16th century. It bears no date nor inscription.— Visited, 26th Apr il, 1910. _____^ •The Tithe Survey map of 18.S9 actually places a camp at Bitfalld. and the Schedule thereto VENT0RY OF THE COU>'Ty OF MOXTGOMERY. 157 Parish of MONTGOMERY. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Xorman- Welsh mounts, WITH enclosures). long. 803. Hen Domen (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 30 S.E. ; lat. 52° 34' 27", 3° 9' 38'). Owner, Mr. W. Fairclough. An earthen niound-and-bailey castle of ordinary type, situated about one mile N.N.W. of the town of Montgomery, upon a site enjoying a wide prospect of the vales of the Severn to the north and west, and of Chirbmy to the east. Though dominated by the loftier hills to the south, it must have been a position of consider- able strength and importance in medieval times. The structure lies S.W. and N.E., the moimd being placed at the southern end of the enclosure, from which it is #^^ * '"'^* -"..^^Z!* %m m- nmUKIIUKMltlllll'ii'H' ll«i rfll"l" ,i,,»vi" ,#"' € g i """""»li'!V«m.mM„„„Hii|,,„.„„i«iw\«mm'vi »"*"' , „ „„;ui vi> y SECTION. Fig. 4-2.— MONTGOMERY : HEN DOMEN (No. 803) ; plan. cut off by a deep moat. The mound rises to a height of about 30 feet ; its summit has a diameter of 22 feet, and is flat. The surrounding moat is plainly dis- cernible though it is now very uneven in depth. The inner court is fairly regular in area, and occupies about one-third of an acre. It is surrounded by a ram- part and ditch w,hich at the western end are curved round and continued as the defences of the mound upon that side. A second deep fosse and rampart encircle the entire structure, this rampart being carried beyond the mound on its outward side with a sweep that permits of a small enclosure between the ditches. There is an entrance to the mound from the south, and doubtless also from the base court at the other side, but farming operations have obscured the original arrange- ments. There are no traces of a second enclosure, but the small size of the existing court would seem to require another for so important a stronghold. Mont. Coll., 1887, X, 340, with plan and section (G. T. Clark).— Visited, 24th June, 1909. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division X (Unclassified — Dykes). 804. Offa's Dyke (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E.). This earthwork con- stitutes a portion of the boundary between the parish of Montgomery (in Wales) and the parish of Chirbury (in England). It will be described as a whole at a later stage. 158 EOYAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSUIRE ; Parish of MONTGOMERY. Division III (Stone Castles — Medieval). 805. The Castle of Montgomery (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E.). Owner, the Earl of Powis; lessees, the Montgomery Town Council. The ruins of a small castle built by King Henry III. in the year 1223, and demolished by order of the Parliament in 1649 {Mont. Coll., 1877, x, 74 and 115). Tliey consist of a few fragments of walls and towers. '•^ y ^'^: LONCITUDINAL SCCT I ON A Approach. B Outer ward. C Second ward. D Third ward. E Fourth ward. F Platform. G Line of Town Wall. Q Rock. Horizontal scale, 3 chains = 1 inch. Cross section South of D. Vertical scale, 100 feet = 1 inch. SLOPE Fig. 43.— MONTGOMERY: THE CASTLE OF MONTGOMERY (No. 805); plan. An excellent architectural description of the castle by Mr. G. T. Clark is to found in Mont. Coll.,1877, x, 313, with j^lans and sections, and is reproduced to be in I 3^ IXVENTORT OF THE COUXTY OF MONTGOMERY. 159 Parish of MONTGOMERY. Mediaeval Military Architecture, ii, 303 ; its political histoi'v is given in the same vol. of Mont. Coll., p. 61.— Visited, 24th Jime, 1909. The ancient walls and gates have been almost everywhere removed, though their positions are known and the foundations are occasionally uncovered. The line of the western wall is still traceable, buried beneath its own debris. Division III (Domestic Structures). 806. Lymore Park (0 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E.). Owner, the Earl of Powis. The remains of one of the most beautiful specimens of 17th-century half- timbered ' ' black and white ' ' residences in the county. ' ' Enlarged from a hunting- lodge, or possibly entirely rebuilt by Edward, third Lord Herbert of Chirbury, in 167.5 it does not appear to have been regularly inhabited since the early part of the last [the 18th] century .... It has, at different times, undergone many alterations; and towards the end of the last century the whole of its great range of kitchens and servants' apartments were entirely pulled down. What is now the bailiff's house stands on a small portion of their site." The remains of the original house, which consist of the centre of the residence and two side gables, and contain the principal rooms, are carefully preserved by the present owner, and the exterior has been admirably restored. " In date it is probably one of the last half-timber houses constructed in the kingdom, and in size and interest the most important in Montgomeryshire." It has been admirablv described in Mont. Coll., 1885, xviii, 155, with illustrations.— Visited, 20th July, "^1910. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures) 807. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E.). Ded : St. Nicholas. Diocese of Hereford; archdeaconry of Ludlow; rural-deanery of Montgomery. An edifice that in its main structiiral features dates from the mid-fourteenth century, though it contains both earlier and later details. It consists of nave, chancel, north and south transepts, and a tower at the end of the north transept. There is a finely proportioned screen of fairly good work, said to have been brought from the neighbouring abbey of Chirbury (to which Montgomery church was appen- dant), and some of the ancient stall-work with carved misereres. In the south transept are two monumental effigies, one of a member probably of the Mortimer family of about the year 1400, the second of about a century later and commemor- ating another Mortimer or an early Herbert. In the same transept is the large alabaster canopied tomb of Richard Herbert, father of lord Herbert of Chirbury and of George Herbert, the poet. The font is of early date, possibly of the late Norman period; it is illustrated in Mont. Coll., 1902, xxxii, 163. On the effigies see Mont. Coll., 1873, vi, 207 and 435, and Arch. Camh., 1880, IV, xi, 131.— Visited, 19th July, 1909. [Illustrated, figure 44.] Division V (Miscellaneous). 808. Uncertain (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E. ; lat. 52° 33' 34", long. 3° 9' 8"). Owner, the Earl of Powis. On the lower slope of the height known as the To^vn Hill, and marked ' Earth- work ' on the 6 in. Ordnance sheet, is a small depression of uncertain purpose and origin. Respecting it Mr. G. T. Clark observes — " It is a mere pit, about 33 yards diameter and 30 feet deep. Its sides are partly formed by the process of excavation, but partly also by the stuff removed being thiown up in a circular bank. It can scarcely have been a marle-pit or quarry, for it has no access by road into the hollow, and is probably some kind of early fortification sheltered by its depth from the 160 ROYAL COMMISSION O.N AXCIF.XT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOl THSHIRE : Parish of MONTGOMERY. weather and liaving pa.Uisades along the elevated bank" (Mont. Coll., 1877, x, 3; reprinted in Arcii.^Cnmb., 1880, IV, xi, 211). This object is too small for a camp, and too rough and uneven for a medieval cock-pit Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 809. Long Barrow (?) On the summit of the Town Hill and in an almost direct line southward from the earthwork (Xo. 808) are the ground lines of what seems to have been a long barrow. The site, now marked by a few straggling trees, measures 70 yards X. and S. by 18 yards E. and W. It may be merely the remains of the slight mound which often forms the foundation for a clump of trees, but the site, which is one of the finest in the county, is in favour of the long barrow hypothesis.— Visited, 24th June, 1909. 810. The Battle of Montgomery (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E. ; lat. 52° 34' 7", long. 3° 8' 6"). Owner, the Earl of Powis; occupier, Mr. D. Davies. The Ordnance Map at the point indicated marks the site of a " Battle of Montgomery," but W'hat battle is intended, or upon what authority the position is determined, is not known. 811. Maes y Brenin (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E.; lat. 52° 34' 0", long. go g' 27"). Owner, the Earl of Pow^is; occupier, Dr. J. J. Robertson. 812. Maes y Brenin (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 37 N.E. ; lat. 52° 33' 19", long. 3° 8' 39"). Owner, the Earl of Powis; occupier, Mr. C. P. Davies. The two fields thus named ('the king's field'), in the Tithe Schedules Nos. 360 and 858, respectively, though situated in diametrically opposite directions, probably denote parts of the ancient royal demesne which lay around the castle of Montgomery. Division VII (Finds). Roman. 813. Coins- A 3rd brass of Victorinus, and two other brass coins. In the Welshpool Museum. Medieval. 814. "Numerous vestiges of ancient weapons, such as broken swords, arrow-heads, cannon-balls, etc., have, from time to time, been found among the ruins, and in the vicinity of Montgomery castle ; but curious relics of a different nature have also been obtained. About six-and-twenty years ago [i.e., about 18051, part of the ruined walls gave way, and a labouring man discovered, among the disjointed masonry, seven old silver instruments; the handles were about the size of modern dessert-spoons, and their entire shape very similar to the subjoined figure. "^^ Ornaments in very high relief covered their surface, and some remains of gilt, plate, or wash, was still discernible" (Camb. Quarterly Mag., 1831, iii, 135, c[uoted in Mont. Coll., 1877, X, 100). The suggestion was advanced that the articles were for use in the ceremony of unction. 815. Tiles (two large and five small). Found during the restoration of the church. In the Welshpool Museum. 816. Musl in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 5 S.W.; lat. 52° 48' 35", long. 3° 21' 44"). A narrow lane or trackway, which, leaving the high road from the village of Pen y bont fawr to Bala at a point about ^ mile north-west of the village, runs first due south and then due west, until it reaches the high road leading from Pen y bont fawr to Hirnant at Pen y boncyn. For its entire length of | of a mile it is bordered on either side by trees of ancient growth, many of the boles of which pro- trude upon the track, which is in some parts grass-grown. In a few places there are remains of a pavement of rough stones. On the north side of this road, and just within Hirnant parish, are the farms of Bache doethion and T'en y wern ddu. The average width of the lane is from 8 to 10 feet. — Visited, 15th August, 1910. Division VII (Finds). 856. Stone hammer, length 3 inches; found at Tyn y calan about the year 1895. Now in the collection of Mr. R. Roberts, The Stores, Pen y bont fawr. 857. Bronze spear head. A portion, with tip missing, 2^ inches in length, with flanges or ' wings ' on either side, was found, about 1890, on Cae Pistyll, in this parish, by Mr. Joseph Jones, Peniarth isaf, when turning the soil. It is in his custody. — Seen, 8th September, 1910. 858. Querns. 'I'wo top-stones, now in the parish church, at foot of the font, were found in this parish, between 1858 and 1878, by the late Rev. Thomas Rowlands, vicar. The larger one is 16 inches, the smaller 11 inches, in diameter. — Seen, 24th August, 1910. 859. Quern. A fine upper stone, slightly oval, 18 inches long and 15 inches broad, was found in a ravine at Garth gelynen fawr, in this parish, in the year 1900, by Mr. Robert Roberts, the tenant, who has it in his custody. — Seen, 16th September, 1910. 8G0. Quern. A lower stone, found at Garthgelynen fechan, in this parish, about the year 1895, by Mr. William Jones, is now at Pen y Ceunant. It has a diameter of 17 inches and a thickness of 3 inches, and four channels run to the edge from a central depression. — Seen, 14th September, 1910. 861. Quern, found in March, 1911, at Llwyn Onn; circumference 59 inches, 4 inches thick. Now in the collection of Mr. R. Roberts, The Stores, Pen y bont fawr. INVENTORY OF THE COUNTY OF MONTGOMERY. 169 Parisli of PENSTROWED.* Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 862. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 36 S.W.). Ded : St. Gwrhai. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Arwystli. The present church, with all its fittings, is modern, having been erected on the site of a former edifice in 1863.— Visited, 19th July, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 863. Roman Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheets, Mont. 36 S.W. and 43 N.W.). This parish lies between the parishes of Llanwnog, in which is placed the undoubted Roman station of Caersws (see No. 707), and Newtown, where the course of the Roman road has been satisfactorily established (see No. 825). It has been located in the grounds of Glan Hafren House, and found to be metalled and curved. 864. Pen y gam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 43 N.W.; lat. 52° 30' 29", long. 3° 23' 0"). A small farm on the summit of Penstrowed Hill (Tithe Schedule, No. 124), but presenting no signs of a cairn. 865. Dol Ysgallog. In the Edward Lhwyd MSS. in the Bodleian Library (Ashmolean 1820rt) is a letter to Lhwyd containing the following interesting passage — " In the lower part of the above-named parish [Penstrowed] is a piece of ground of about six acres called Y Ddol Ysgallog ... in which plot of ground is a mere [stone] where the ministers of three parishes (some say three bi.shops), viz., Pennystrowed, Mochdref [then in the diocese of St. David's], and Newtown, having a brandart between them, stood each of them at each foot of it, each one of them in his own parish, and within three dioceses, to wit, Bangor, St. Asaph, and St. David's, and in three several hundreds, Llanydlos, Mountgomery and Newtowne, and in three townships, viz., Arrustley, Kerry and Kedewen." Parisli of RHOSGOCH. Division la (Tumuli). 866. Tumuli (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 24 N.W.; lat. 52° 39' 20" and 21", long. 3° 4' 6" and 5"). Two circular mounds placed about two hundred yards east of the cart track which runs the entire length of the Long Mountain, going in a northerly direction. The westernmost is somewhat larger than its neighbour. Its circumference is about 80 yards, its height, taken perpendicularly, is about two yards, and its diameter over all 27 yards. The distance between the mounds is 35 yards from siunmit to summit. The diameter of the smaller is 24 yards. A shallow^ trench across the latter seems to point to its having been disturbed, but the larger mound is untouched. —Visited, 16th October, 1909. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 867. Monk field (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 24 N.W.; lat. 52° 40' 8", long. 3° 2' 52"). An enclosure on the sunmiit of the Long Mountain (Tithe Schedule, No. 926), adjoining other enclosures called "Monks fields" in the parish of LTppington (No. 916).— Visited, 30th October, 1909. • The name Penstrowed appears as Penystriwayt in the Patent Roll of 14 Ric. II (13:)1; p. 2, w. 5 ; and Pensti-oide on the chalice, the cover of which is dated 157t>. y 170 ROYAL COMMISSION ON AXCIEXT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTUSHIRE : Parish of SNE:AD. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 808. The Parish Church* (ti in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 S.E.). Diocese of Hereford; archdeaconry of Ludlow; rural-deanery of Montgomery. A small church, on the northern bank of a streamlet which at this point forms the boundary between Wales and England. The edifice underwent a thorough restoration in 1870, and has retained few of its ancient features, though it probably follows the earlier foundations, and in places may have incorporated por- tions of more ancient masonry. The chancel and nave have no structural division. At the west end is a small two-light Early English window of good proportions ; the east window is of similar design, but slightly smaller dimensions. A small single- light cinque foiled window, high up on the south side of the chancel and at the angle of the south and east walls, probably follows an earlier light. The west end is crowned with a heavy bell turret for two bells. A small vestry opening into the chancel was added to the north side at the last restoration. The most ancient feature appertaining to the church is the font, which, however, is probably the original holy water basin or stoup. It is of an external diameter of 26 inches; and has four equidistant projections or handles, two being similar to a solid cup-handle, and two with fhe curve carried convexly to meet the sides of the bowl. The lip of the bowl upon each of the convex sides is hollowed out into a little channel. The base is modern. The font at the neighbouring church of Chirbury (in England) is of similar character; as is also the remains of what is described as a font now preserved in the church of Llanmerewig. The latter is of precisely similar dimensions to that at Snead. In the S.W. corner of the church is the upper portion of a sepulchral slab bearing a finelv floriated head within a circle; it is of the late 14th or early 15th century.— Visited, 26th August, 1909. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest), 869. The Friar's Field (? The Prior's Field) (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 38 S.E. ; lat. 52° 31' 32", long. 3° 1' 0"). 0^^^le^, Mr. C. H. E. Bright ; occupier, Mr. John Jones, Upper Snead. The close south of the low^er road at Upper Snead Bridge is 30 called in the Tithe Schedule, No. 58, and the out-crop of rock at the eastern corner of the field is known as ' the Friar's Rock.' The Augustinian priory of Chirbury (in England) was first established at Snead. Division VII (Finds). 870. Roman. A pig of lead, bearing the inscription " Imp. Hadriani Aug.," now in the Liveipool Museum (Arch. Jotirnal, 1866, xxiii, 279), was discovered apparently in that portion of the parish which has been transferred to England. Parish of TREFEGLWYS. Division la (Tumuli). 871. Cam Biga (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 40 X.E.; lat. 52° 29' 40", long. 3° 43' 23"). Though marked on the Ordnance sheet as one cairn, there are two on this spot, 32 paces apart. They stand a little more than half-a-mile due east of the source of the Severn, at an altitude of 2,000 feet, and are visible for many miles round. They rank next in size to Carn Gwilym (No. 919). Each is from 15 to 17 feet high, with a circumference of 150 feet at base. They are composed of mountain grit, which lies around in large quantity, and their lower courses are carefully laid. A modern shepherd's shelter has been erected on the west side of one of them. — Visited, 31st October, 1910. * The dedication of Snead Church is apparently unknown. INVENTORY OF TUE COUNTY OF JIONTGOMEKY. 171 Parish of TEEFEGLWYS. 872. Carn Fach Bigeulyn (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 40 N.E. ; lat. 52° 29' 54", long. 3° 43' 45"). A small and much-ruined carnedd, erected on Plynlumon Cwm Biga, at 2,042 feet above Ordnance datum. The construction is much the same as that of Carn Biga (No. 870). This cairn has been denuded of much of its material, the present height being onlj^ about 5 feet; the circumference is about 90 feet. On its south-eastern side a shepherd's shelter has been constructed. Cam Brydain uchaf, within a few yards north of this carnedd, has been cleared away. — Visited, 31st October, 1910. 878. Tumuli (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 34 S.W., 41 N.W.). This cluster of tumuli is generally known as the ' Staylittle ' or ' Pen fordd las ■ group. They are situated in the immediate neighbourhood of the little village of Staylittle, on a plateau on the right of the river Clywedog, between it and its tributary, Afoii Lwyd. No. I (lat. 52° 31' 2", long. 3° 39' 13"), on the right hand of the path from Pont Dol Wyddel to Llwyn y gog, | of a mile north-west of the hamlet of Stay- little, was excavated in July, 1903 {Arch. Camb., 1904, VI, iv, 285). It is a grass- covered tumulus, 160 feet in circumference at its base, and built of loose earth, with but few stones. The waters of the Clywedog have at the above point worn a somewhat steep declivity, on the edge of which stands the tumulus. An urn of the cinerary type was uncovered (see " Finds "). Fig. 46.— TREFEGLWYS: TUJ^[ULUS AT STAYLITTLE (No. 873 1); plan. A Cutting made July 29tli and 30tli, 1903. Place where cinerary urn was found. Mark of earlier digging. Oblong dent or unfilled space in mound. Break in mound, probably made by river. Burial of cow a fe« j-ears ago. Line of section taken. B C D E F GtoH Fig. -ir.— TREFEGLWYS: TUMULUS AT STAYLITTLE (No. 873 I) ; URN DISCOVERED IN. Scale, \ original size. No. II (lat. 52° 31' 0-5', long. 3° 39' 16"). This tumulus is in the close vicinity of the former, but is on the left hand side of the path, and south of the river Clywedog. It has a circumference of 190 feet at base, and a height of 10 feet. A slight depression on its southern face may be the result of an attempted opening of It, of which, however, nothing is known. No. Ill (lat. 52° 30' 51", long. 3° 39' 17") is about 300 yards from I and II, and north-east of Llwyn y gog. It is likewise grass-grown ; has a height of 8 feet, and a base circumference of 180 feet. It presents no appearance of having been opened. ; No. IV (lat. 52° 30' 37", long. 3° 38' 57") stands on a spot known locally as Clap Mawr and withm sight of the other mound,;. On its eastern slope is a broad grass-grown gap, the evident mark of some unrecorded attempt at its exploration. The writer of the Hi.story of the parish in Mont. Coll., 1879, xii, states that he had heard that "human bones, weapons, etc.," had been dicovered in this Y2 172 KOVAI, COMMISSION ON AXriEXT MOXTMEXTS IX WALES AND MOXMOITHSHIRE : Parish of TREFEGLWYS. tumulus, but tliat he had failed to trace the report to any reliable source, nor could he ascertain by whom or at what time the attempt at excavation was made. It has a height of 10 feet, and a circumference at base of 190 feet. Six mountain tracks meet immediately to the south-east of it. No. V (lat. 52" 30' 13°, long. 3° 39' 30"). This tunuilus is § of a mile south- west of IV, being aliout 300 yards north of Afon Lwyd, and { mile south of Nant yr Hafod. It has a base circumference of 168 feet, and is about 8 feet high. It was opened in July, 1909. These five tumuli have many points in common ; they are about the same size and heiglit, are circular, and seem to have little stone in their construction. They evidently form a connected group. — Visited, 24th October, 1910. Division Ic (Meini hirion). 874. Erect Stone (6 in. Ord Surv. sheet, Mont. 35 S.W.; lat. 52° 30' 43", long. 3° 29' 56"). An uninscribed stone, on the farm of Cyffia; height, 5 feet 6 inches; breadth, 3 feet; depth, 2 feet 6 inches.— Visited, 16th July, 1910. 875. Erect Stone (6 in- Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.; lat. 52° 30' 28", long. 3° 30' 39"). An uninscribed stone, on Ffinnant Farm; height, 6 feet 6 inches; breadth, 2 feet 6 inches; depth, 2 feet 6 inches. The field within which it stands is called Cae y Garreg in the Tithe Schedule, No. 2288; and the ancient road described below (No. 881) passes through it.— Visited, 16th July, 1910. 876. Standing Stone (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.; lat. 52° 30' 11", long. 3° 31' 10"). This stone, once forming a gate post into the parish churchyard, was removed some years ago, when the present boundary wall was erected, to the farmyard of the closely adjacent residence called ' the Church-house,' where it at present serves as one of the gate posts at the main entrance. It stands 78 inches above the ground, and tapers slightly upwards; its girth midway is 47 inches. — Visited, 24th October, 1910. 877. Standing Stone (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.; lat. 52° 30' 11", long. 3° 31' 8"). This stone stands in the yard of Church-house farm, and close to the stone No. 875. Of its story nothing is known. From the ground to its square top it has a length of 51 inches, with a girth of 72 inches. A small, circular hole has been drilled on one of its square sides, as if for an iron hinge. — Visited, 24th October, 1910. 878. CaregyStican (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 34 S.E.; lat. 52° 31' 52", long. 3° 35' 30"). This is a rough mountain stone lying by the road side, some two miles north- east of Staylittle. Nothing is known locally about it. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division B (Hill forts). 879. Y Gaer (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 41 N.E. ; lat. 52° 29' 57", long. 3° 35' 35"). Owner and occupier, Mr. Bennett Owen, Gwernafon, Trefeglwys. A camp on the farm of Cefn Cloddiau, now so much worn down as to have almost disappeared. Slight signs of a double vallum are perceptible on the western side of the hill, but the remains are by no means so clear as they appear upon the Ordnance sheet. — Visited, 16th July, 1910. INVEXTORY OF THE COUKTY OF MONTGOMEET. 173 Parish of TREFEGLWYS. Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 880. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. ;heet, Mont. 42 N.W.). Ded : St. Michael. Diocese of Bangor; archdeaconry of Merioneth; rural-deanery of Arwystli; townships of Glyn Trefnant, Bodaioch, Ysgeiriaeth, Dolgwden, Maestregomer.* An altogether modern structure, erected in the year 1863. The bells and the old oaken supports of the wooden belfry seem to be the only parts of the former church which have been retained. The font is modern, and the fate of the old one is not known. — Visited, 16th July, 1910. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquari.\n Interest). 881. Quakers' Garden (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 34 S.W.; lat. 52° 31' 8", long. 3° 38' 15"). This little burial ground, 36 feet square, is known in the annals of the Society of Friends as that of ' Esgair goch,' the name of ' Staylittle ' (or, earlier, ' Stay a little ') for the hamlet, about 400 yards to the south-west, only coming into use early in the 19th century. The graves are now barely discernible, but they are remembered as being arranged in three parallel rows. The rude stone wall which formerly enclosed it having become ruinous, has recently been replaced by wire fencing. On the gate is an iron label inscribed : — FRIENDS- BURIAL GROUND, 1711. Adjoining the ground, and now used as an outhouse of the farm of Esgair goch, is the shell of the stone building, formerly the meeting-house, with its heavy oaken beams still supporting the roof. — Visited, 28th June, 1910. 882. Ancient Road (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.). The course of a Roman road is shown upon the Ordnance sheet, about a quarter of a mile north of the village of Trefeglwys. The line of an ancient road is traceable in the field where stands the monolith No. 874, by a difference in the appearance of the crop, but there does not seem to be sufficient evidence to ascribe the road to the Romans. It is also not possible without excavation to say how far the line continues.! The south-western continuation of this road, just before the ford over the Tarannon at Rhyd y carw is reached, passes through a field called in the Tithe Schedule ' Sarn y glyn,' and numbered 1147. Lat. 52° 30' 14", long. 3° 31' 48", exactly locates this field. The same name, ' Sarn y glyn,' is also given to Nos. 1148, 1149 and 1150, two fields directly to the south-east of No. 1147. Another field, distant nearly a mile to the south-east from the above, and part of the farm of Pwll glas, is called in the Tithe Schedule (No. 2255), ' Tu hwynt i'r Sarn,' ' beyond the Sarn ' ; its exact position is lat. 52° 29' 45", long. 3° 30' 48".— Visited, 16th July, 1910. 888. Y Gaer. Gaer hella (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.; lat. 52° 29' 42" and 46", long 3° 29' 53" and 39". Two adjoining fields on the farm of Red House, in the valley of the Tarannon. Tithe Schedule, Nos. 1644 and 1762. There is now no appearance of an earth- work.— Visited, 13th July, 1910. * This appears in the original 1-inch map (Tithe Survey ed.) as Meestrecymmer. The correct form is ilaestrecymmer. This township (and the advowson of the parish chnrch) belonojed to Hausrhmond Abbey (co. Salop), having been granted (before a.d. 1137) to that monastic house by Grnffudd ap Cvnan, the ruler of Gwynedd (See Oat. of tlie Documents relating to Wales in the Briti/ih ^[Hseum. i, 450). The • cymmer ' which gave its name to the township is occasioned by the fall of the Gleiniant into the Tarannon. The township of Bodaioch consisted of three distinct and widely separated parts, two probably forming" the nionntain pasture attached to the chieftain's house of Bodaioch in the vallev of the 'I'ai'annon. t Mr. Edwurd Hamer. in Mont. f~^oll.. 1879. xii, 20, says that the road had been traced to a field belonging to the Church-house farm, about a quarter-of-a-mile north of Trefeglwys church. " This is the most westerly point at which the earth has been removed, and the pavement which constitutes the upper layer of the road, laid bare." 174 HOYAL COMMISSION ON .UJCIENT MONUMENTS IN WALES AND MOXMOITHSHIHE I Parish of TREFEOLWYS. 884. Cae y garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 42 N.W.; lat. 52° 29' 19", long. 3° 31' 25"). Tithe Schedule, No. 2071. 885. Cross Field (« in- Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 41 N.E.; lat. 52° 29' 33", long. 3° 35' 43"). Tithe Schedule, No. 456. A field on the farm of Faerdre fawr (a name betokening considerable antiquity), and at the head of a tiny glen called ' Nant cwm y garreg ddu.' 886. Cae garreg (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 41 N.E. ; lat. 52° 29' 32", long. 3° 34 53"). Tithe Schedule, No. 436. Division VII (Finds). 887. Flint Instrument — circular; diameter of 2 inches; edge sharpened by grind- ing. Discovered in 1871 among the roots of a tree, several feet below the sur- face. In the Welshpool Museum. This was exhibited to the Society of Antiquaries on the 13th February, 1873 (Proc. Soc. Ant., II, v, 441). [Illustrated, figure 18 (1 and 2.) ] 888. Spindle wiiorls " and other stone implements "; found on the farm of Cwm Byrnant. " Most of them now lost " {Mont. Coll., 1879, xii, 28). 889. Hammer stone; found on Cwm Byrnant farm. In the Welshpool Museum; illustrated in Mont. Coll., 1879, xiv, 273. 890. Bronze Celt. [Illustrated, figure 49.] 891. aronze spear-head ; found on Cil haul farm. This spear head is illustrated in Mont. Coll., 1870, iii, 432, and also in xii, 25 (1879). [Illttstrated, figure 50.] 892. Another bronze spear-head is said, in the article in Mont. Coll., 1879, xii, 25 (note), to have been found on Wauu goch, Plynlumon, in May, 1877. It was presented by Mr. Nicholas Bennett, of Glanyrafon, to the Welshpool Museum. 893. Urn, of the cinerary type; discovered in the excavation of Tumulus No. 873 I, ante. 894. Roman Coins. On the farm of Cil haul, one and a half miles from Trefeglwys village, and a short distance south of the line of the supposed Roman road, remains of early mining in the form of quantities of slag have been found, and about the year 1835 a considerable number of Roman coins were discovered in the innuediate vicinity of this slag. It is recorded that many were carried away, but about 20U coins were saved by Mr. Bennett of Cil haul. In the course of years this number was considerably reduced by gifts to visitors, who were invited by Mrs. Bennett to help themselves, so that only 10 remained in 1870, when they were described by the Rev. E. L. Barnwell, in the third volume of Montgomeryshire Collection. J—U. Il II "II •I II ^ " Site qffmd o/Bron/e \. C ^- . i'i Fig. .51.— AVELSHPOOL : CROWTHER'S CAMP (No. 029) ; pUin. Severn, on the passage from the plain country of Shropshire to the hilly districts of mid- Wales. The camp is constituted of three strong banks and their attendant external ditches drawn straight across the ridge, and forming the north and south defences. There is no intervening space between each vallum and ditch, but the second vallum rises from the preceding ditch and the third vallum from the second ditch. The original plan probably provided for each of these cross banks and ditches being carried round the eastern and western sides without a break; and there are appearances of continuous earthen banks upon the west. But the western line of the camp is practically coterminous with the boundary of the parishes of Welshpool and of Guilsfield Within, and it is possible that at any rate some of the banks and trenches on this side may have had a peaceful origin. This suggestion is strengthened by the fact that the western slope is not the one from which an attack might be expected; while the eastern side, with its direct onlook over the Severn valley, is not protected at all, and the eastern terminals of the north and south cross walls are not curved for continuation eastwards. About 100 yards down the l82 ROVAL COMMISSION ON ANCIENT MONUMENTS IX WALES AND MONMOCTIlSlllUli : Parish of WELSHPOOL. eastern slope, however, is a shallow diteh, whieli may have formed a defence to the camp on this side. The enclosure measures li)U feet from north to south by an average of 160 feet from east to west, and its generally rectangular appearance has occasioned the belief that it is, if not of Roman construction, at least of Roman adaptation. There is, however, no doubt of its British origin, and little reason for the idea that it was occupied even temporarily by the Romans. There are no indications of the intricate entrances found in the case of many of the greater camps, but the disturb- ance of its defences on the east and west has been too considerable to admit of our saying that they did not exist. From the simplicity of its construction it might be inferred that this cainp was earlier in date than Y Gaer Fawr, distant two miles to tlie north west, but it may have formed a subsidiary position to the latter. Less than 100 yards from the southern point of the camp was discovered in 1862 an extensive collection of bronze weapons (see Division VII — Finds). — Visited, 9th Sep- tember, 1909. Mont. Coll., 1874, vii, 351; 1889, xxiii, 333, with plan and (p. 414) section. Division II (Earthworks), sub-division E (Norman-Welsh mounts, WITH ENCLOSURESj. 930. The Lady's Mount, Powis Castle Park {'a in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.E.; lat. 52° 38' 55", long. 3° 9' 52"). Owner and occupier, the Earl of Powis. A quite unmistakable mound-and-bailey fortified position, situated about 300 yards west of the medieval stone castle, the present residence of the Earls of Powis. The mound is now about 30 feet liigh; a depression runs round its sunmiit, probably marking the foundation of a summer house, which has disappeared. The moat is easily followed, though it has been almost entirely filled up. The bailey was placed upon the west, where are signs of an earthen rampart; but in such a situation it could hardly be expected to remain untouched. There can, however, be little doubt that the site, which is slightly more elevated than that of the sfone fortress, is that of the residence of the Welsh princes of Powys in the 12th centurv. — Visited, 18th June, 1910. {Tllusirated, figure 52.] 931. The Domen, or Domen Gastell (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.E.; lat. 52° 39' 31", long. 3° 8' 18"). Owner, the Earl of Powis; lessees, the Welshpool Bowling Club. The remains of what must have been a good example of the mound-and-bailey castle, a few yards from the railway station. A portion of the mound still remains, and the enclosure, now used for bowling and other games, doubtless follows the line of the original bailey. The outer ditch has almost entirely disappeared, and that surrounding the mound has been filled in. — Visited, 29th July, 1909. In an inquisition of the year 1299, service is said to be due ad motam de Pola. Eyton, Shropshire, xi, 91, quoted in Mont. Coll., 1877, x, 348. and 1882, XV, 368, note. In a map of 1629 the site is called ' Domine [Domen] Castell.' Division III (Stone Structures), sub-division (Medieval castles). 932. Powis Castle (6 in. Ord. Survey sheet, Mont. 23 S.E.). Owner and occupier, the Earl of Powis. A medieval castle, the oldest portions of which date from the second half of the 13th century. The original structure was probably erected by Owen ap Griffith, the last Welsh lord of Upper Powys,* but the building was very largely recon- structed at the commencement of the 17th century, and has been added to at later periods. The earliest features are the western entrance to the present mansion, some of the external walling on the south, and the curtain wall on the western .side of the court, which after having been practically hidden behind later erections * Owen married Hawys, daughter of Philip Corbet, baron of Caus, and probably came under the castle-building: influences then current. A sentence in a declaration of Owen's father. Gi-iffitli ap Gwenwj'uwyn {Eot. Wall., 6 Ed. I, m. llrf, a.d. 1278 : Volnmus etiam ,4 roncpdimna diHn Ou-ino filin vontro et heredibus'suis quod si contingat ipunm Owimtm aid heredes sun.'s aliquod ca-itrum suuin edijicare ret reedtfimre, etc.) appears to denote an intention on the part of Owen to erect a castle. ca %: ' ; 5 cq ~ s K." Is §> - ,^ i^ * ^ « ~ (>; " , M ^ . \ I • X ^f^mmr,. t ^ <^^ ^:%i#-''''i""'^'%^^w^' o CO 03 o M <^ Ah Eh O CC i-H o H IZi P O O O w CO w &3 ■''"''mi:m^ // I t %* ■ ^.^ IV "^ < , o^i 'v^ 5o IXVEXTORY OF THE COISTY OF SIONTGOMERY. 183 Parish of WELSHPOOL. is now being uncovered. The original castle would seem to have consisted of a parallelogram of about 50 yards by 30 external measurements, with small drum towers at the angles, and an entrance in the west side between two small guard towers. The western portal opened into a wide and spacious courtyard, which was surrounded on two sides by a strong curtain containing one or more towers. The curtain wall may not have been continued along the southern side of the enclosure, as the rocky platform upon which the castle is placed was probably cut away so as to make the position inaccessible from this direction. The whole was surrounded by a broad and deep moat. However, the greater portion of the 13th century edifice was swept away at the end of the 16th or opening years of the 17th century. As the south side of the position rested on a sheer precipice, the original wall on this side was retained as was also the western face with its two entrance towers. But practically the whole of the remainder of the 13th century structure dis- appeared, and the space thus obtained (as well as the small inner courtyard) was transformed into a residence of the classic order, adapted so far as possible to the exigencies of the cramped area that was available. The chief alteration was made at the eastern end of the original castle where a new entrance was constructed, and a fresh approach up a broad flight of steps erected over the now filled-in moat, with a handsome gateway placed at the foot of the slope. At a later period further alterations were carried out at this side of the castle, and the northern side of the original rectangle is occupied by later additions which the steadily increasing demands of luxury and comfort have called into existence. The curtain wall surrounding the outer courtyard was retained, but in the latter half of the l7th century, the western wall was demolished and a new entrance constructed. Build- ings, which at a later period were used as stabling, were ertected against the interior line of the north curtain. The wall was rebuilt from the inner ground level, but the whole of the lower part was untouched, and now constitutes the most extensive part of the 13th century edifice. The moat still remains along the entire north side of the castle. It was probably never extended along the south side, as the slope of the rock, upon which the entire castle was erected, had doubtless been rendered inaccessible; but on the shorter eastern side it has been partially filled up for the construction of the 17th century entrance, and on the western side (which was also slightly the narrowest side) it has been wholly removed to provide a more con- venient entrance into the castle from this direction. — Visited, 27th July, 1909. Brit. Arch. Assoc. Journal, 1861, xvii, 22 — an inadequate paper reprinted in Mont. Coll., 1882, xv, 398. l_Illustrated, figure 53.] Division IV (Ecclesiastical Structures). 930. The Parish Church (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.E.). Ded : St. Mary. Diocese of St. Asaph; archdeaconry of Montgomery; rural-deanery of Pool; townships of Dyserth, Stredalfedan, Trallwm Gollen, Tyddyn pridd. Pool town, Gungrog Fawr, Llanerchudol, Trefnant fechan, Welsh town, Cyfronydd. An edifice dating from the latter part of the 13th century, which underwent so thorough a restoration in the year 1871 that not many of its early structural features now remain. A good Jacobean tomb to Sir Edward Herbert is in the north wall of the chancel. The font is modern, reproduced " after the fragments of an old one discovered underneath the one last used; which last one ' a large octagonal basin, unpierced, with rough foliage, after an early English pattern, is buried in the churchyard, about twenty-four feet in front of the south porch ' " (Thomas, Hist. IHoc. St. Asaph, 1874, 793, note). Glynne, ' Notes," Arch. Camb., 1885, V, ii, 121. An inventory of the registers, church plate and parish documents is in Mont. Coll., Jan. 1908, xxxv, 78. 934. Strata Maroella Abbey (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 15 S.E.; lat. 52° 41' 9", long. 3° 6' 29"). Owner, the Earl of Powis. The excavated remains of the Cistercian abbey of Strata Marcella, uncovered in 1890. The abbey was founded in the year 1170, by Owen, prince of Powys (better known as Owain Cyfeiliog), and flourished down to the period of the Dissolution. 184 ROYAL COMMIStJlOX OX AXCrEXT MOXUMENTS IN WALES AND MONMOUTHSHIRE I Parish of WELSHPOOL. Prior to the excavations of 1890 tliere were no indications of buildings above ground. A full account of the work then undertaken, wliich was suMicient to permit of a phxn of the abbey church being made, is in Mont. Coll., 1891, xxv, 149, with many illustra- tions of architectural details. A quantity of the objects found during the excavation were removed to the Welshpool ^Nlu.^ciun. — Visited, 29th July, 1909. Division VI (Sites of Historic or Antiquarian Interest). 935. Sam y Bryn Caled (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.E. ; lat. 52° 38' 16", long. 3° 9' 11"). This is presented as being out of repair in 1682 {Mont. Coll., 1890, xxvii, 317). 936. Cae Gam (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 S.W.; lat. 52° 39' 0", long. 3° 10' 48"). Tithe Schedule, No. 49. 937. Stockholms (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.E.; lat. 52° 41' 0", long. 3° 6' 50"). Four pieces of ground in the position indicated, between the main road to Oswestry and the Allt Wood. Tithe Schedule, Nos. 729, 922, 923, 924. 938. Pwll y Ceffyl (6 in. Ord. Surv. sheet, Mont. 23 N.E. ; lat. 52° 40' 36" and 50", long. 3° 6' 45" and 40"). Lands comprised within two sharp bends of the riA^er Severn, south-east of the position last indicated. A grant of lands ^ii'0' Newtown 823 Pennant 500 Trelystan 908 Stained glass. See Glass, Stained. Sun Dials — Cemmes 107 (Jarthbeibio 186 Llanfihangel 467 Triptych, carved oak — Llandinam 338 Churches. .See Ecclesiastical Structures. Churchyards : Castle Caereinion, Twmpath Garmon 94 Llandrinio 364 Llanerfyl 398 Llanfechain, Twmpath Garmon 448 Llangadfan 511 Llanmerewig 621 Llanwddyn 678 Meifod 770 Circles, Stone: Kerry Hill 282 Llanbrynmair 308-9 Rhosybeddau (Llanrhaiadr) 631 Whetstones, The (Churchstoke) 116 Cists : Allor, Yr (Llanbrynmair) 310 Blaen Rhiwarth (Llangynog) 564 Gwvnvndy Farm (Llangadfan) 522 Llangadfan parish 519, 520, 521 INDEX. 189 Cists — continued. JIanafon „ Twr Gwyn Mawr (Carno) Clawdd Cook (Carreghofa) Clawdd Llesg (Guilstii-ld) 211-2, Clawdd Mawr (Llanrhaiadr) 243, Clawdd Meadow (Llandrinio) Clawdd Wood (Guilsfield) Clociitaen (Llangurig), Hirlas horn at Cloddiau Cochion (Guilsfield) Clwt Camp (Kerry) Cobhara's Garden (Guilsfield) Coed Bryn Crogwr (Darowen) Coins. See Finds. CoUfryn Mound (Cemmes) Colomendy Hall (Churchstoke) Craig Rhiwarth (Llanrhaiadr) Craig yr Arian, Cromlech (Llangynog) Cridia Abbey Crochan Aur, cairn ,. Croes y Forwyn, carneddau (Llanwddyn) ... 674, ,, ,, standing stone Cromlech : Bedd y Cawr, Llanymynech Hill (Carreg- hofa) Bwlch y Gistfaen (Llanerfyl) Craig yr Arian (Llangynog) Uwch y garreg Ceoss, churchyard : Lland rinio , . Crosswood camp (Llandrinio) Crowlwra farm (Llanidloes) Crowther's Camp (Welshpool) Crugyn Bank, tumulus (Kerry) Crugyn Llwyd, carnedd (Llandinam) Crugynau, tumuli (Kerry) Curfew Bell (Llanidloes) Cwra Cae'r Hendre (Cemmes) Cwm Carnedd (Llanbrynmair) Cwmhir Abbey (co. Radnor) 294, 549, 588, Cwm Taf clog (Cemmes) 106, Cwrt y Person (Meifod) Cyfronydd Hall (Castle Caereinion) Cyttiau Gwyddelod. See Hut Ciecles. 761 43 63 217 636 363 211 554 203 284 229 166 106 124 633 563 390 241 675 676 66 400 563 92G 364 362 593 929 279 230 278 589 112 306 846 108 774 89 Danes in Montgomeryshire Das Eithin, Carnedd Illog on (Hirnant) Dead Plan's Dingle (Churchstoke) Dedications, Chuech : Saint Aelhaiarn 145 241 107 200 All Saints 799, 908 Bennion 368 Beuno 13, 19, 35 Bride Cadfan 610, Cad f arch Cwvfan Curig , Cynog Cynon Cynyw Dyfnig Erfyl 398, 399 665 512 838 537 559 897 584 723 Etheldreda 262 Garmon, Germanus 94, 95, 448, 449 Gwrhai , 862 Gwrin 721, 723 Gwyddelan 733 Gwyddfarch 770. 773 Gwynnog 2, 711 Idloes 588 Illog 244 John of Jerusalem 48, 677 Llew'n 94.5 Llonio 338 Llwchaiarn 613, 621 Mary 312, 420, 421, 606, 770, 823, 824, 933 Michael 180, 295, 467, 468, 757, 880 ^lonacella ,5fi0 ^lyllin 487, 489 Nicholas 128, 366, 807 Peter 747 Thomas 549 Trinio 304 Trinity 797 Tudyr 1(;2 Tvdecho 107. 186 Tysilio 378, 770, 946 Tyssil 388 Dedications, Chukch — continued. Saint — continued. Urfyl. See Ebfyl. Ust 723 Wddyn 678, 693 Derwlwyn Coppice (Llanfyllin) 482 Din Gaer (Llanwyddelan) 737 Dolarddun Hall (Castle Caereinion) 79 Dolcaradog, Quakers' burial-ground (Uwch y garreg) 922 Dol y Felin Blwm (Llanfyllin) 494 Dolforwyn Castle 34 Dol y Gaer (Llangadfan) 517 Dol y Garnedd (Is y garreg) 266 Dol Garreg standing stone ("Maen Cadfan") 503 Dolguog (Penegoes) 837 Dol y maen (Garthbeibio) 1J4 Dolmen. .See Cbomlech. Dolobran (Meifod) 180 Dol y Pebyll, carnedd (Llangadfan) 521 Dol Rhynion, tumulus (Llanidloes) 591 Dol tan rhyfel (Llanhhan^el) 463 Dol Ysgallog (Penstrowed) 86-5 Dolwar Hall (Llanfihangel) 464 Domen (Llandrinio) 360 Domen yr Allt (Llanfyllin) 483 Domen y Castell (Llanerfyl) 408 Domen ddu (Llandinam) 329 Domen Gastell (Llandrinio) 361 ,, ,, (Llanfechain) 437 ,, (Welshpool) 931 Domen Giw, tumulus (Llangurig) 534 Domen Moel Frochas (Llanrhaiadr) 632 Domestic SiErcxuEES : Abergwidol (Darowen) 161 Abernaint (Llanfyllin) 484 Beander Mill (Llanllwchaiarn) 611a Bishop ilorgan's summer-house ()44 Bodfach (Llanfyllin) 4B.J Bryn (Llanllwchaiarn) 611 Bryn y Castell (Darowen) 165 Cae'r Hendre (Cemmes) 112 Castell Bach (Cemmes) Ill Castell Cyfeiliog (Darowen) 168 Checkers Inn (Xewtown) 819 Coed Bryn crogwr (Darowen) '. 166 Colomendy Hall (Churchstoke) 124 Dolarddun Hall (Castle Caereinion) 79 Dolguog (Penegoes) 837 Dol y Maen (Garthbeibio) 194 Dolobran (Meifod) 180 Dolwar Hall (Llanfihangel) 464 Drws y Xant (Cemmes) 112 Eunant Hall (Llanwddyn) 705 Fawnog, Upper (Meifod) 768 Fir Court (Churchstoke) 125 Garnedd Wen (Llanwddyn) 691 Glanmeryn (Is y garreg) 264 Great Brightuie (Churchstoke) 132 Gunley Hall (Forden) 179 Gwernygoe (Kerry) 294 Hall, The (Llan'fVllin) 487 Hurdley HaU (Churchstoke) 126 Llwydiarth (Llanfihangel) 465 Lymore (Montgomery) 806 Mathafarn (Llanwrin) 720 Mellington Hall (Churchstoke) 124 Moydog (Castle Caereinion) 81 Newtown Hall (Newtown) 820 Owen Glyndwr's Parliament House (Mach- ynlleth) 746 Owen Glyndwr's Parliament House (Llan- llwchaiarn) 612 Park (Llanwnog) 710 Pen y bont (Pennant) 848 Pen Llwyn (Castle Caereinion) 80 Plas Dolanog (Llanfihangel) 466 Todlith (Churchstoke) 123 Trewern Hall (Trewern) 910 Ty Ucha (Llangynog) .5.5* Double Dyche (Kerry) 279, 293 Drefor Camp (Kerry) 285 Drws y Nant (Cemmes) 112 Dyer's" Farm, Pool Quay, find at 231, 235 Dykes. See Evrtiiv. hrks. Dyos Farm. See Dyer's Farm. Earthworks. Castle Jlounts- Bank Farm (Bausley) 16 2B 2 190 l.NUliX. Eaktiiworks — continued. Castle Mounts — continued. Broiifi'lfii (Llandinam) 335 Canvgluifa (i^ CoUfiyn (CVinmes^ lOCi Doinen yr Allt (Llanfyllin) Ooti Hin Ddiiioii (I.liinsantffraiiJ) OoC Mm'lpnit (Laiulgadfaii) 603 ToiiK'ii (IVnnaiit) 847 Tmiiu-ii MaJoc (Ki-ny) 288 llykes- Aberbechan (Llanllwchaiarn) 010 AlK'inaint Farm, on (Llanrhaiadr) 635 ISlai'ii V Clawdil ilu (l.lanjjurii;) oM bwl(h"A.(l(laii (IJuilslield) 21(i Clawdd Lifsg ((iuilslk'ld) 217 Clawdd Alawr (I.langadfan) 509 (Llamhaiadr) 243, 636 Dol y Gaer (Llangadfaii) 517 Double Dyche (Keivy) 279, 293 Ciiant's Grave (l.landinam) 337 (irangc Dvche (Kerry) 292 I.ower Short Dyche (Kerry) 291 Offa's Dyke (i4, 102, 122, 137, 139, 142, 175, 2G0, 303, 363, 370, 804, 909 Tynewydd Farm, on (Llanrhaiadr) Uppi'r Short Dyehe (Kerry) Wantyn Dyche (Kerry) llill forts- ' Allt Dolanog (Llanfihangel) Aston Beacon Ring (Leighton) Black Bank' (Cletterwood) 034 292 291 462 10 302 141 Breiddin, The (Criggion) 12, 149 Broniarth (tJuilstield) 210 Bryn Coch (Manerfyl) 395 Bryngwyn (IJanfechain) 440 Brynmawr Camp (Llandysilio) 376 liryn y saethau (Llangynyw) 582 Oaer DigoU (Leighton) 302 Caer din (Castlewright) 100 Cae Thygle (Berriew) 14 Castell (Carno) 46 Castle Camp (Bausley) 12, 149 Cefn Carnedd (Llandinam) 334, 79(1 Cefn castell (Middletown) 12,149,796 Cefn y coed (Kerry) 287 Cefn du (Guilsfield) 213 Crfn Llan (Llandvssil) 385 Clawdd Llesg (Guilslield) 211, 212 Clawdlyssin (Llanerfyl) Mathrafal (Llangynyw) Moat, The (Berriew)' ,. >. (Kerry) ,, ,, Llandinam) ,, ,, (Llaiigurig) ,, ,, (Manafon) Munlyn Farm (Forden) Neuadd Goch (Kerry) Newtown Hall Pen y Castell (Llanidkies) I'entre Uaeth eiiwyn (Meifod) Rhyd yr Onen (Llangurig) Simond's Castle (('hurchstoke) Tafolwern (Llanbrynmair) Rectangular camps — Cann Office (Llangadfan) Gwyn Fynydd (Llanwnog) Llyniystyn (Llangadfan) Moat" (Churchstoke) Roman Cae (Jaer (Llangurig) Caer Flos (Forden) Caersws (Llanwnog) 3,340,419, Gaer (Llanfair Caereinion) Gaer Xoddfa (Carno) Unclassified ■ Beddau Cewri, Soldiers' Graves (Llan- fihansel) Bwlch y Cibau (Meifod) 765, Castle Ring (Churchstoke) Cefn yr Allt (Berriew) Clawd"d Coidi (Carreghofa) Crosswood Cani]) (Llandrinio) Llanfaw Hill (Churchstoke) Llcchryd (Meifod) Mound (Llangynog) ,, (Llanrhaiadr) ,, (Llansantffraid) Neuadd Wen (Llanerfyl) 397, Pen y Croghren (Penegoes) Town Hill, Montgomery Trwst Llewelyn (Berriew) Twmpath Garmon (Castle Caereinion) .. ,, ,, (Llanfechain) Wern, Y (Castle Caereinion) Wyle Cop (Llanwnog) Ecclesiastical Structures : Abbeys — Chirbury, co. Salop Cridia Cwmhir, co. Radnor — Arcade from Monastic grange 291, 294, 549, Glastonbury (co. Somerset), glass from St. John of Jerusalem, Hospice of (Llan- wddyn) 677, Strata Florida, co. Cardigan — Grange of Celynog 549, Strata Marcella (Welshpool) Carved stones from Font from 143, Granges of 80, 81, 205, 314, 549, Lands of 227, 913, Wigmore (co. Hereford) Chapels : Capel Bach. Pentre Ncwvdd (Pennant) Capel Banhadlog (Llandinam) Capel Llewelyn (Welshpool) Llanfyllin Independent 150 199 215 177 664 101 386 33 261 387 361 437 931 632 175 817 803 930 39(i 583 17 289 33(1 53)i 756 170 290 818 596 764 536 118 311 506 708 50(i 117 535 17-1 707 419 47 463 767 120 27 ()3 362 119 766 557 637 657 410 836 808 18 94 448 93 709 807 390 588 84() 35 090 896 93-1 23(i 952 846 938 339 850 339 945 488 INDEX. 191 Ecclesiastical Stedctuees : Churches, parish — Aberhafesp Berriew Bettws Cedewen Bu ttington Carno Castle Caereinion Cemmes Chu rchstoke Criggion Daiowen Forden Garthbeibio Guilsfield Hirnant Hjssington Kerry Llanbrynmair Llandinam Llaiuhinio Llandjsilio Llandyssil Llaner f yl Llanfair Caereinion Llan f echa i n Llanfihangel yng Ngwynfa Llanf yllin Ijlangad f an Llangurig Llangynog Llangy ny w Llanidloes Llanllugan Llanllwchaiarn Llanmerewig Llansantffraid 2 19 35 143 48 94 107 128 151 Ib2 180 186 199 244 263 295 312 338 364 378 388 398 420 448 460 487 510 637 559 584 588 606 613 621 665 Llanwddyn 244, 678 Llanwnog 711 Llanwrin 721 Llanwyddelan 733 Machynlleth 747 Manafon 757 Meifod 770 Middletown 797 Mochdre 799 Montgomery 807 Newtown 823 Pengoes 838 Pennant 860 Penstrowed 862 Snead 868 Trefeglwys 880 Tregynon 897 Trelystan 908 Welshpool 933 Miscellaneous — Cae'r mynach (Llangadfan) 511 Capel Llewelyn (Welshpool) 945 Hen Eglwys Pant Dwr (Llangynog) 562 Hospice of the Knights of St. John (Llanwddyn) 677, 690 Lie yr Hen Eglwys (Llangynog) 561 .Effigies, Sepulchral : Berriew 19 (note) Llanfair Caereinion 420 Montgomery 807 Pennant Melangell 560 Eglwys Gwyddfarch (Meifod) 770 Elliott, Dr. W. LI., description of Black Bank Camp 141 Erasmus, house of family of (Llanwddvn) ... 691 Ero Brock Tenn, Erw'r Grogbren (Carreg- hofa) 68 Erw Milwyr (Llanfair Caereinion) 443 Esgair Wen (Llangurig) 627 Eunant Hall (Llanwddyn) 705 Fawnog, Upper (Mi'ifod) 76S Ffridd Esgair v ^laen 352 Faidwyn (M(inti;es) 592 Garth Bwlih (Llanwddyn). See Quakehs. (jaith Eilun (Llanfair Caereinon) 424 Gilli Wen, tumulus (Cemmes) 104 Gernianus, St.. churches dedicated to, mound in churchyard (Castle Caereinion) 94 ; (Llanfechain) 448 Giant's Bank Farm (Llaninerewig) 020 Giant's Grave (I.,landinam) 337 Gibbet Hill (Llanfair Caereinion) 419 • iiraldus Camhrinsis at Kerry 295 Glanmeryn (Is y garreg) 264 Glog, The, tumuli on (Kerry) 280 Glyndwr. See t)WEN. Gogerddan Camp (Llangadfan) 505 Golfa, Y (Castle Caereinion) 91 Grange Dyche (Kerry) 292 Groat Brighture (Churchstoke) 132 Great Cloddiau camp (Kerry) 283 (jroes y Garreg (Berriew) 20 Groes Llwyd, Holy cross (Guilsfield) 206 Groes Pluen (Welshpool) 942 Gro T ump (Newtown) 817 Guilsfield Within, homestead moat 199 Without „ „ 215 Gunley Hall (For.len) 179 Gwaun yr huale ((^arno) 58 (Jwelv Gwvddfaich (Meifod) 772 Gwelv Wddvn (Llanwddvn) 693 Gwergloleifod) 763 Gwern y Vigin (Carrtghofa) 68 Gwerngoe (Kerry) , 294 fiwrthefyr, King 670 (iwyddfarch St., church of 770 (Jwylliaid Cochion Mawddwy 105, 563 Gwyn Fynydd Camp (Llanwnog) 708 Gwynnog. See Saints. Hafod Wnnog cairn (Uwch y garreg) 918 Haliwell. Holy well (Meifod) 772 Holy Well (Forden) 181 Hall. The (Llanfyllin) 4S7 Htn Eglwys Pant Dwr (Llangynog) 662 Hen Domen (Llansantffraid) 656 (Montgomery) 803 Henrv, duke of Richmond 720, 725 Herbert of Chirbury, Edward, lord 806 Hill-forts. See Earthworks. Hirlas horn, Clochfaen 554 Hnar Stone field (Forden) 174 Holy Cross. See Groes Lwyd. Homestead Moats. See Earthworks. Hospice of the Knights of St. John of Jerusalem 677 Hubert's Castle (Kerry) 296 Hurdlev Hall (Churchstoke) 126 Hut Circles : Carno, in parish of 45 Craig Rhiwarth (Llanrhaiadr) 633 Hyddgen, Myn.ydd, battle of (Uwch y garreg) 919 Inscribed Stones : Churchstoke 137 Llyn Hir (Llanerfyl) 392 Llanerfvl churchyard 398 Illog, Camedd (HiVnant) 241, 247 Kerry Hill, tumuli on 273-6 ,, " Pole, Kerry Block p. 58 (note) Lady Well (Beiriew) 23 ., (Newtown) 824 Lady's Mount, Powis Castle 930 Little Cloddiau, tumuli (Kerry) 281 Llanelwedd Kocks, long barrows pn (co. Radnor) 463 Llanerfyl, inscribed stone at 398 Llanfair Clydogau, long barrows at (co. Cardigan) 403 Llanfawr Hill, earthwork on (Churchstoke) ... 119 Llanllugan, Maes y Cwrt (ilO ,, nunnery (iOG Lie yr Hen Eglwys (Llangynog) 561 Lied Cron yr Vch, stune circle (Llanbrynmair) 309 Llechryd (Meifod) 766 Lletty (Llanwrin) rampart 333 Llewilyn ap Griffith. Prince of Wales 284, 550, 625, 664 Llwybr Heilyn .Hirnant) 25() Llwyi-oed Farm (Aberhafesp), Roman road on 3 Llwydiarth Park (Llanlihangel) 4t)0 Llyniystyn Camp (Llangadfan) 506 Llyn Hir, inscribed stone (Llanerfyl) 392 Llyssin (Llanerfyl) t 396 Long Mountain, tumuli on (Rhosgoch) 866 Lower House Farm (Bausley) 15 Lower Munlyn Farm (Forden) 170 Lower Short Dyche (Kerry) 291 Lower Ucheldre (Bettws Cedewen) 32 Lymore (Montgomery) 806 Maen Beuno (Berriew) 13 Maen Calfan (Llangadfan) ,50S Maen Llwyd (Darowen) 158, 159, 104 ,, ,, (Garthbeibio) lyii (Machynlleth) 744 Maes y Bedd (Kerry) 300 Maes y Cwrt (Llanilugan) 609 Maes y Domen (Tregynon) 907 Maes y Groat (Llandrinio) 373 Maes y Groes. See Maes y Groat. Maglona, site of (Machynlleth) 748 Market hall (Llanidloes) 589 Mathafarn (Llanwrin) 720 ,, family, coat of arms of 204 Mathrafal (Llang'ynyw) 583 site of (Meifod) 754 Mawnog Cerrig y Groes (Garthbeibio) 192 Maypole Bank (Hyssington) 263 Medieyal Castles. See Castles, Medieval (stone). Mediolanum. See Clawdd Coch Meini Hirion. See Standing Stones. Melin Hen Sarn (Llanidloes) 698 Mellington Hall (Churchstoke) 124, 598 Mine, Roman, ' Ogof Widdon ' (Uwch y garreg) 923 Moat, The (Berriew) 17 ,, ,, (Churchstoke) 117 ,, (Criggion) 150 ,, (Guilsfield Within) 199 ,, ., (GuUslK-ld Without) 215 ,, (Kerry) 289 ,, ,, (Llandinam) 336 ,, ,, (Llangurig) 5.S(i ,, (Manafon) 756 .. Nant y Cribbau (Forden) 177 Moel Cerrig Gwynion (Llanrhaiadr). See Bedd Ceynddyn. Moel Ddolwen Camp (Llanerfyl) 391 Moel Eiddew (Cemn cs) 105 Moel Frochas (Llanrhaiadr) 631 Moel y Golfa (Trewern) 149 Moelpart (Llangadfan) .508 Moel Pentvrch (Llanfair Caereinion) 428 Monk Field (Rhosgoch) 807 (Uppington) 916 Montgomery, ford of 182 mound on Town Hill 808 Morgan. Bishop, summer house of (Llanhaiadr) 638 Mound and bailey castles. See Earthworks. Jlounds. See Castle Mounts, Carneddaxj, Tumuli. Moydog (Castle Caereinion) 81 Munlyn Farm mount (Forden) 176 Mynach. Cae'r (Llangadfan) 511 Mynachlog (Churchstoke) 132 Mynachlog (Llangurig) 549 , Mynachty (Penegoes) StO Mynydd Hyddyen, battle of Owen Glyndwr... 919 Nant V Bran cairn fLlangadfan) 520 Nant y Cribbau. The Gaer (Forden) ]75 The Moat (Forden) 177 INDEX. 193 Xant Llyn Coch (Cerames) Nant yr Ych, Roman road at (Aberhafesp).. Neuadd G<;ch (Kerry) 104 3 290 Neuadd Wen Mound (Llanerfyl) 397, 410 -- •• g2Q 818 366 Xewtown Hall ,, ,, mound Nicholas Well (Llandrinio) Nunnery of Llanllugan oil, 606,610 Offa's Dyke 64, 102, 122, 137, 139, 142, 175, 266, 303, 363, 376, 804, 909 OBa's Pool (Leighton) 303 Ogof Widdon mine (Uwch y garreg) 923 Old Hall. .Vee Hubert's foLLy. ,, Camp (Kerry) ' 286 Owen Glyndwr, battle of Mynydd Hyddgen ... 919 Owen Glyndwr's Parliament House (Dolgolley) 612 I. 1 )) I, (Machyn- lleth) 746 Owen Lawgoch, Owen ap Thomas ap Rhodri, home of 664 Ostorius Scapula 149 Pant Llewelyn (Llangurig) 550 Pant y Drain Hill (Kerry)), camp On 285 Park (Llansantffraid). See Plas yx Dinas. ,, (Llanwnoa;) 7l0 Peg^vn, y (Bettws Cedewen) 31 Pegwn Farh (Llandinam), tniiiulus on 328 Pen Bryniau (Llangynog), stone cist at 664 Pen Cad Cymry cairn (JLlan^idfan) 501 Pen Carn Tarenig (Llangurig) 632 Pen y bont (Pennant) 848 Pen y Castell (Llangrnvw) 581 (Llanidloes) 594, 596 Pen Cerrig ( ,, ) 590 PenyClun ( ,, ) 595 Pen y Crqo;bren (PenegOes) 836 Penegoes — Penegwest 838 Pen y Foel (Castle Cereinion) 15, 92 Pen y Gaer (Berriew), finds at 26 ,, (Bettws) 31 ,, ,, (Llanidloes) 596 ,, ,, Llanwyddelan) 741 Pen y Gorddin (Llanfihangel) 460 ,, ,, (Llangynyw) 581 Pen y Groes isaf (Llanwyddelan) 734 ,, ., uchaf (Llanwyddelan) 734 Pen Lluest y Carn, Pen Cam Tarenig carnedd (Llangurig) 532 Pen Llwyn (Castle Caereinion) 80 Pen Llys Camp (Llanfihangel) 461 Pen Plynlumon Arwystli (Llangurig), cairns on 528 Pentre llaeth enwyn (Meifod) 764 Pistyll canpwll (Tregvnon) 36, 898 Pistyll y Clawdd, Spout Well (Meifod) 771 Plas Chwe'cheuiios; (Llangynog) 565 Plas Dolanog (Llanfihangel) 401 Plas yn Dinas (Llan^^antfTraid) 419, 664 Pont Dol Dwymyn TTTirowen) 163 Pont Glan Tanat uchaf (Llanrhaiadr) 630 Pont Llogell. cairn (I^langadfan) 519 Pool Quay (Guilsfield). finds at 232, 239 Powis Castle. .See Welshpool. Pren Croes standing stones (Llangadfan) 504 Quakers : Burial grounds - Cloddiau Cochion (Guilsfield) 203 Dolcaradog (I'wch y garreg) 922 Garth Bwlch (Llanwddyn) 692 Quaker's Garden (Llangurig) 551 Quaker's Garden (Trefeglwys) 881 Meeting house Dolcaradog (I'wch y garreg) 922 Querns. See Fi.nds. Rectangular Camps. See Earthworks. Restece inscribed stone (Llanerfvl) 398 Rhallt. The (Welshpool) finds at 233, 949 Rhos y beddau. Stone Circle (Llanrhaiadr) ... (>31 Rhyd y Groes, ford of (Forden) 183 Rhyd Hywel upland, tumuli on (Llandinam). 327 Rhyd yr Owen, mound (Llangurig) .536 Rhyd Whimma (Forden) 18, 182 Rhysnant Well (Llandrinio) 367 Roads : Mediaeval — Carno parish, in 54, 55 Cefn Hir Fynydd (Hirnant) 257 Cefn Llydan HiU (Tregjnon) 896 Cwm Tafolog, through (Cemmes) 108 Far Sarn, Buri'ows (Llandrinio) 371 Llanerfyl parish 401 Near Sarn Burrows (Llandrinio) 371 Street (Guilsfield) 230, 660 Street, The (Llanfyllin) 495 Trefeglwys parish 882 Ystrad y Groes, ' Stacros ' (Llanwddyn)... 697 Ystryd y Ceunant (Llanfechain) 451, 457 Ystryd Ddu (Pennant) 855 Roman- — Aberhafesp parish 3 Caer Flos, near (Forden) 174 Caersws, communicating 3, 340, 707, 825, 863 Llanwrin parish 722 Neuadd Wen Farm, on (Llanfair Caereinion) 426 Penstrowed parish 863 Sarn (Churchstoke) 129 Sarn (Kerry) 297 Sarn (Llanbrynmair) 313 Sarn Ellen (Newtown) 826 Sarn Wen (Llandrinio) 369, 379 Trefeglwys parish 882 Roman. See Eakthworks, Finds, Mikes, Roads. Rotpert, Meredith ap, lord of Odewen £00 Roundtain, The (Churchstoke) 119, 121 Samian ware. See Finds : Roman. Sarn. See Roads : Roman. Sarnau, village of 230 ScafeU. .S'ee Y'sgafell. Sepulchral effigies. .S'ee Effigies ,, mounds. .See Cahxeddau, Tumuli. Short Dvche, Lower (Kerry) 291 Upper (Kerry) 292 Siambr Ddu issa (Llanerfvl) 410 ,, ucha (Llanerfyl) 410 Simond's Castle (Churchstoke) 118 Snowbrook Mines, finds at (Trefeglwys) 552 Soldiers' Graves (Llanfihangel) 463 ,, Mount (Llansantffraid) 662 Ring (Guilsfield) 210 Spindle whorls. .See Finds. Spout WeU (Meifod) 771 St. John of Jerusalem, Hospice of 677 St. Monacella's, Bed (Llangvnog) 560 St. Tysilio's Spout (Welshpool) 946 Standing Stones (ileini Hirion) : Bryn Bras (Llangadfan) 602 Cae y Garreg Fawr. site (Llanllugan) 60S Carreg y Cyfrwy (Llanrhaiadr) 629 Croes y Forwyn .Llanwddyn) 676 Garreg Lwyd (Aberhafesp) 7 Garreg Lwyd (Darowen) 157 Garreg Stican (Trefeglwys) 878 Garreg Wen' ' Y fuweh wen a'r lib ' (Llanidloes) 592 Maen Beuno (Berriew) 13 ' Maen Cadfan,' Dol Garreg stone (Llan- gadfan) 503 Maen Llwyd, ' Cerrig Noddfa ' (Darowen) 158, 159, 164 Maen Llwvd (Garthbeibio) 196 Maen Llwyd (Machynlleth) 744 Pren Croes, on (Llangadfan) 604 Trefeglwys parish 874-8 Staylittle. tumuli at 873 Stone Circles. .See Circles, Stone. Strata Florida Abbey 549, 806 Strata Mareella Abbey 934 and see Ecclesiastical Structures — Abbeys. Sun dials. See under Church. Tafolwem (Llanbrynmair) 311 Tan V Clawdd Camp (Castle Caereinion) 90 Todleth Hill (Churchstoke) 119 House (Churchstoke) 123 Tomen (Pennant) 847 Tomen Bryn Dadl (Mochdre) 798 Tomen Ma'.loc (Kerry) 288 Trefnanney Camp (Meifod) 763 Trewern Hall 910 Trinity Well (Cletterwood) 144 194 INDEX. Trinity WeU (Ouilsfu-ld) 218 „ ,, (Llandrinio) 3t>5 „ (Tivwcrn) 911 Trwst Llewelyn (Bi-rrifw) 18 Tudor, Henry, Earl uf llichniond 79 TuMii.i : Aberhafesp parish, in li 335 Bedd Crynddyn, Moel Cerrig Gwynion ^Llanrhaiadr) 028 Berriew parish 28 Bryn y Fedwen (Penegoes) 835 Bwlch Gelli Las (Darowen) 156 Caer Digoll (Leighton) 302 Churchstoke, near Offa's Dyke 115 Crugyn Bank (Kerry) 279 Crugynau (Kerry) 278 Dol Khyninn, on (Llanidloes) 591 Domen Uilu (Llandinam) 329 Domen tiiw (Llangurig) 534 Ffridd I'wll y Warthol (Llanbrynmair) ... 300 Gelli Wen (Cemmes) 104 Glog, The (Kerry) 280 Kerry Hill, on 273-6 Knaps, The (Uppington) 915 Little Clo5K Fach (Llanfihangel) 469 „ y Ffinnant (Llansantffraid Pool).. 6()() „ Gannon (Llanfechain) 449 „ Geiliog (Llanlihangel) 470 „ lUog (Hirnant) 245 Isel ( ,, ) 246 „ Madoc (Llanfair Caereinion) 425 ,, Modrib (Llanfechain) 450 „ Myneich (Llanwddyn) 680 „ Myllin( (Llanfyllin) 48<) „ Rhigos (Garthbeibio) 189 ,, y Wrach (Llanfair Caereinion)... 423 ,, Wtra Ik-ilyn (Llajifair Caereinion) 424 Ffynnonau (Pi^negoes) 839 Hali Well or Holy Well (Meifod) 772 Holy Well (Forden) IHl Lady Well (Berriew) 23 Lady's Well (.Newtown) £24 Nicholas Well (Llandrinio) .^(i(i Pistyll canpwil ( I'rcLiynou) 36. 898 Rhysnant Well (Llaiidrinip) ;i(i7 St. Bennion's Well (Carreghofa) 65 St. Cadfan's Well (Llangadfan) 51 T St. Erfyl's Well (Llanerfyl) 399 St. Gannon's Well (Castle Caereinion) 9.j St. Mary's Well. Ffynnon yr Eglwys (Llan- fair Ciu-reinion) 421 St. Tydecho's Well (Garthbeibio) 187 Trinity Well (Clett<-rwf«d) 144 „ ,, (Guilslield) 218 ,, ,, (Llandrinio) 365 ,, (Trewern) 911 Wem, Y (Castle Caereinion) 93 Whetstones, The, stone circle (Churchstoke) ... 116 Wigmore Abbey .• 339 Windy Hall (Castlewright) 102 Wyddigoed Wood (fjlanfechain) 4.52 Wyle Cnp (Llanwnog) 709 Ysgafell (Llanllwchaiarn) 014 Ystryd y Ceunant (Llanfachain) 451, 457 OMERYSHIRE REFERENCE TUMULI (£AHTH). ,f\ CARN(.DDAU (STONE). .Pi. CROMLECHAU. TT STONE CIRCLES _ -O HUT CIRCLES— - . MEINI HIRION. „ fl INSCRIBED STOA/ES -^ J<2. //^Jl*/r-i*. 500. 7. II _ L VlalbviSonsLith. m MONTGOMERYSHIRE REFERENCE ruMUU (EAHTMJ. j-i eAMMfooAuamiex J^ c>tomLeCHAU ....n sTonc a»ctta „-0 HUT ancles ,_ MCiMi mmioft. _.fl insc^iato sroffts -f # OMERYSHIRE CALEoF MILES i= « 3 Y S I L I O ^ REFERENCE. MILL FORTS O ROMAN „n ROADS -- CASTLE MOUNTS .^ (W/THOUT £NCt.OSU)r£S} MOBMAHWELSH MOUNTS _ _j«> {WITH ENCLOSUieS ) \df DYKES _. o S*2 .//^S-^/^-f-J- SCO. 7 II. ^ 30 ^alby&Sons.Lith. MONTGOMERYSHIRE ^ SCALE or MILES 10 /-•--•''■ y.^ ^■--Y' I '^-■- RtFLRENCE /"""—■ / NllangtnogV j ^\ \ wfu ™#rj. ,0 t^^ \ r^<:\3>^/ 1 .-.'-t' lOHM -..-□ «Ma5 i ...» »)k. . ~^ \ *l'^- ■■■,■'' ^ I, \ "^'yfr.»riM.,<,iL ,*»! »o«.».r( o p£--'''iji-^'' " ^^p'^^^^--< I o*B>nBt.Bio V *" ""* " °'°" " ^^■'- "-' r *" r^.y>/ r '^Jtl'^'^ i ! 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R ~ o^_o--^r^^~'^" ■>>•*"''•• y^^ /-"^ k — 7N ^'^"'■^'^0^"\ : [ °'*S ^5|K^f:^^J^^ i '^ d^' ' " ' • ° • ^\ ^ J L . . . - ~ = V^ >^^ X/ tf/%^__^^._.^y-^f^'y^^\ "0^^ ■'■ • \ f"^^ ^^^^-^-^-—,^^^^14^^"^^^^ J X/'Q^'"''' % V : ^w ^ *~Pv^ jSIC/ *'' o'> ° Y -■^-'^^^ *o^ 'vj.--' '^^^-^-^^^-^-^^ 4* /^(^^ ' ° ,l/'l (■"■ — i-—,^ L I ^ ~ 9 ^ t 5 V >/ /,„„„„; ._ f'^ ^^0 ["\ ^— ~\^f^^^° L_...^^^;.->''" '^-5^ \ ^^'0>.-V" ° "'" ' °( ^^ ' ^ \ "^^ ,.'-'~^^\_.'''"' ■\ I / V \_y "-■N V~\ i( > / ^.Ji) y ' o m )MERYSHIRE \LEoF MILES * 5 I 1 10 -S <$> REFERENCE UKN .^ STONE IMPLEMLNTS .♦ BRONZE - C^ LATE CELTIC $ ROMAN (COINS, POTTERY »c ) IRON - I BURNT BONES --- «I (so rAlk AS rue FINOS CAN B£ TREATCO) J42. Il29*/2. <2^ "■if- •» >._.■ V \ z' S \ s .■ — ^ \. o (3 o \ eg E a o x: »5 ^ \ IS y^-~" . '?3 ."^-•^v PB 5345-11 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORMA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. Form LD— Series 444 ' D 000 452 692 7 •DA M7A5 1911 V »*' ■'^^^}. ■'^:-