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Llanbleddian - Gazetteers

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Extract from A Topographical Dictionary of Wales (1833) by Samuel Lewis.

"LLANBLETHIAN (LLAN-BLEIDDIAN), a parish in the hundred of COWBRIDGE, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, adjoining the town of Cowbridge, and containing 670 inhabitants.

After the defeat of Iestyn ab Gwrgan, the last native Prince of Glamorgan, this part of his dominions was given by Fitz-Hamon, the Norman victor, to Sir Robert St. Quentin, who erected the castle of Llanblethian, or St. Quentin : the castle and manor subsequently formed part of the dower of the widow of Hugh Spencer, the younger, on her marriage with Guy de Brien.

The parish, which is pleasantly situated on limestone substrata, is intersected by the river Thaw, which falls into the Bristol channel at the distance of six miles, where it forms the small port of Aberthaw, celebrated for the superior quality of its lime. The lands, which are in general fertile, are, with a small exception, enclosed and in a state of excellent cultivation. The village is enlivened by several elegant cottages, the residences of highly respectable families ; and the dwellings of the poor have an unusual appearance of neatness and comfort. The scenery immediately around it is of varied and pleasing character, and the ancient bridge over the river Thaw, which flows through it, adds greatly to the picturesque effect of the scene.

To the north-east of the village, on the summit of a hill round the foot of which the river flows, are the remains of the ancient castle of St. Quentin : they consist principally of mouldering ruins, of which the only entire feature is a gateway mantled with ivy, and sheltered from the violence of the winds by a few trees : the Marquis of Bute now holds the constableship of this castle, together with the lordship of the borough of Cowbridge : the estate is the property of John Thomas, Esq., of Caer-Cady House, near Cowbridge.

The living is a discharged vicarage, with Cowbridge annexed, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Llandaf, rated in the king's books at £10. 3.4., and in the patronage of the Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The church, dedicated to St. Bleddian, the Welsh name for Lupus, who accompanied Germanus in his mission to Britain, to suppress the Pelagian heresy, is a conspicuous object in the surrounding scenery, being situated on the brow of an abrupt eminence. There are several places of worship for dissenters.

Sir Leoline Jenkins bequeathed £20 for clothing poor aged persons every fourth year : various other benefactions have been invested in the purchase of land, the produce of which, with other small bequests in money, amounting in the aggregate to £4.3. per annum, is distributed among the poor. The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor amounts to £329.12."

[Last Updated : 10 Oct 2002 - Gareth Hicks]