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EWENNY - Extract from A Topographical Dictionary of Wales by Samuel Lewis 1833

"EWENNY (Y WENNI), a parish in the hundred of OGMORE, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, on the banks of the Wenny, and on the road from Cardiff to Swansea, 2 miles (S. E. by S.) from Bridgend, containing 239 inhabitants.

The manufacture of brown earthenware was extensively carried on here at a very remote period, it being alluded to in the writings of the Welsh bards upwards of three centuries ago ; and from the shape of the vessels here made, being similar to those of ancient Roman earthenware found in other places, it has been boldly conjectured to have existed ever since the dominion of that people in Britain. Since the commencement of the present century, seven kilns were kept in full operation, supplying a great part of South Wales with this species of pottery. The clay from which it was chiefly manufactured was procured upon the spot, from a bed varying from ten to fourteen feet in thickness, resting on a substratum of reddish sand, and occupying a tract about three-quarters of a mile in length and half a mile in breadth : the works were likewise conveniently situated for fuel, being only four miles distant from the Bryn Cethin colliery.

The living is a donative, in the patronage of Richard Turberville Turberville, Esq. The church, dedicated to St. Michael, is a fine old building, in the Norman style of architecture, consisting of a nave, chancel, and one transept, forming part of the remains of the conventual church of a Benedictine priory, founded here, soon after the Conqnest, by Thomas de Londres, lord of Ogmore, and made by Maurice de Londres, in 1141, a cell to St. Peter's abbey at Gloucester : its revenue, in the 26th of Henry VIII., was estimated at £78. 0. 8., and it was granted in the 37th of the same reign, as part of the possessions of that abbey, to Sir Edward Carne, an eminent civilian, from whose family it was transferred to the Turbervilles. Divine service is performed in the nave : the chancel has been used as the family burial place of the proprietors since the Reformation, and contains some interesting monuments, among which are, one to the memory of Maurice de Londres, a splendid altar-tomb to one of the family of Carne, and an elegant mural monument to the last proprietor, Richard Picton Turberville, Esq., by whom the adjacent family seat was modernized.

This mansion stands within the fortifications of the monastic edifice, which were all in the English style of architecture, and is a plain substantial structure, containing numerous elegant and excellent apartments, being exceeded in the comforts of its internal arrangements by few houses in the county. Of the ancient conventual buildings three towers with gateways still remain, mantled with ivy in a picturesque manner : under the tower of the south gate there was a deep dungeon, only six feet in diameter, the entrance covered by a strong iron grating, through which prisoners were let down: the whole forms an interesting group, and may be considered one of the most perfect relics of ecclesiastical architecture in the principality. The seal of Isabel, daughter of William Earl of Gloucester, who had for her dower the lordship of Glamorgan, and was married, first to Prince John, a younger son of Henry II., afterwards to the Earl of Essex, and lastly to Hubert de Burgh, was lately found here : together with her own titles, it is inscribed with that of Countess of Moreton, which she derived from her first husband, who was Earl of Moreton.

The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor is £ 136. 2."

A Topographical Dictionary of The Dominion of Wales by Nicholas Carlisle, London, 1811.

"EWENNY, in the Cwmwd of Maenor Glynn Ogwr, Cantref of Cron Nedd (now called the Hundred of Ogmore), County of GLAMORGAN, South Wales: a Donative, with Cure of Souls, not in charge, and of the certified value of £18.: Patron, Richard T. Turbervill, Esq.: Church dedicated to St. Michael.  The Resident Population of this Parish, in 1801, was 250. The Money raised by the Parish Rates, in 1803, was £79..8..9, at 3s. in the pound.  It is 6 m. W. b. N. from Cowbridge.  This Parish contains about 1000 acres of Land.  It is situate upon the river Wenny, which abounds with Trout.  The Church is a part of the fine old Abbey, one of the most perfect specimens of a Monastic establishment; and in the Chancel of which is an interesting Grave-stone, commemorating the Name of the de Londres, the Founder.  According to the Diocesan Report, in 1809, the yearly value of this Benefice, arising from Small Tythes, was £40.  Mr. Turbervill has lately built a modern House for his residence, adjoining the Abbey.  A Benedictine Priory founded by Sir John Londres, Lord of Ogmore Castle, about A.D. ----, and given by Maurice de London, as a Cell to Gloucester Abbey, A.D. 1141.  It was dedicated to St. Michael, endowed, 26 Henry VIII., with an yearly revenue of £78..0..8 in the whole, and £59..4..0 clear; and upon the dissolution was granted, as part of the possessions of St. Peter's Gloucester, to Edward Carn, 37 Henry VIII.: and has since reverted to the Family of Turbervill.  -Tanner's Not. Mon."

[Last Updated :31 Oct 2004 Gareth Hicks]