V
Vaenol, or Vaynol
VAENOL, or VAYNOL, a township, in the
parish and union of St. Asaph, hundred of Rhuddlan, county of Flint, North Wales; containing
209 inhabitants. This place until lately constituted
a prebend in the Cathedral Church of St. Asaph.
The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of
£398. 10. 2.
Vainor, or Vaynor (Y Faenor or Maenor)
VAINOR, or VAYNOR (Y FAENOR or
MAENOR), a parish, in the union of MerthyrTydvil, hundred of Pencelly, county of Brecknock, South Wales, 3½ miles (N. by E.) from
Merthyr-Tydvil; containing 2286 inhabitants. This
parish comprises the hamlets of Coedycummer, Dyfryn, and Gelly, in which last is the church; and is
situated on the Lesser Tâf river, about two miles to
the left of the turnpike-road from Brecknock to Merthyr-Tydvil. It comprises 6660 acres, of which
about 4000 are common or waste land; the remainder
produces very good crops of grain, and excellent
pasturage for sheep and cattle. The surrounding
scenery is pleasingly diversified, and the country
abounds with interesting objects; the views over the
counties of Brecknock, Monmouth, and Glamorgan,
are extensive and picturesque. Limestone is found
in various parts, and the procuring of it affords employment to a portion of the inhabitants; the people
are chiefly engaged in agriculture, and in the ironworks at Merthyr-Tydvil. For the accommodation
of persons occupied in the works of that place the
village of Coedycummer, in this parish, appears to
have arisen; it is built upon a tract of common,
without any regard to regularity or order, and is
almost exclusively inhabited by persons employed in
the works, since the establishment of which the parish has greatly increased in population. Some leadore has been occasionally discovered above Coedycummer, near the turnpike-road, though not in sufficient quantity to remunerate the labours of the
miner. Two woollen manufactories have been carried on for some years; but the number of people
engaged is very inconsiderable.
The living is a rectory, rated in the king's books
at £8. 3. 11½., and in the patronage of the Crown;
present gross income, £292, arising from tithes producing £260, and the glebe land £32. The advowson, prior to the Reformation, was vested in the
lords of Brecknock, but was forfeited on the attainder
of the Duke of Buckingham, in the reign of Henry
VIII., since which time it has remained with the
princedom of Wales. The church, dedicated, according to some authorities, to St. Gwundoline, and, as
others state, to St. Gwenvrwi, is an ancient edifice,
consisting of a nave, chancel, and small tower, and
is pleasantly situated on the western bank of the
Lesser Tâf, upon a shelving ledge of ground, which
appears to have subsided from the adjoining hill, or
to have been torn from it by some violent convulsion. It is a dark, low building, not possessing any
architectural claim to notice. In the outside wall is
a stone commemorating the decease of a woman who
lived during seven successive reigns, and died at the
advanced age of 108 years. The parsonage-house
is an indifferent building, with about twenty-seven
acres of glebe land attached. There are places of
worship for Independents, Calvinistic Methodists, and
others; two Sunday schools in connexion with the
Established Church, and four connected with the
dissenters.
An ancient stone, with an inscription greatly defaced, and which is supposed to have been part of
an old cross, was formerly placed within a hundred
yards of the twelfth milestone on the turnpike-road
from Brecknock to Merthyr, as a gate-post in a wall
on the right-hand side of the road. At present,
however, it is not to be found, having been removed
of late years. These crosses, in remote periods, were
used for a variety of purposes: they were principally
set up as landmarks, for the division of property;
when placed in a hedge, they prohibited foot-passengers from making a path across the field; when on
the road-side, and inscribed with the name of one
of the primitive fathers of the British Church, they
were intended to denote that Christianity had been
preached in that place, and to inspire sentiments of
devotion in the minds of travellers. In process of
time they multiplied exceedingly, and there is scarcely
a parish in the principality which did not once contain several of them. There are numerous carneddau, or heaps of stones, in the parish; two of which
are particularly distinguished, and are named respectively Y Garn Wen, and Y Garn Ddû, or "the
white" and "the black cairns." Near the church is
a natural cavern, called Ogov Glaig, from which
issues a small brook; and in the same vicinity is an
artificial mound, or barrow, but nothing is known of
its origin, though it may probably have been raised
over the remains of some persons of eminence interred here. In various parts are pannau, or cavities, which are very common in limestone tracts.
Hywel Rhŷs, a poet of considerable genius, though
poor and unlettered, and who was author of several
productions of considerable merit, was born in the
parish; he died in 1799.
Vainor (Faenor-Lâs)
VAINOR (FAENOR-LÂS), a hamlet, in the
parish of Glâscomb, union of Kington, hundred of
Colwyn, county of Radnor, South Wales, 8 miles
(E.) from Builth; containing 303 inhabitants. This
hamlet is situated between the Glâscomb and Bryngwyn hills; and a small stream, which flows into the
river Edwy, passes through it. Vainor forms onehalf of the parish, of which the hamlet of Drewern
constitutes the other. At a place called Little Hill
are four upright stones, erected, it is said, to commemorate a battle fought in the neighbourhood.
Vainor (Faenor)
VAINOR (FAENOR), a hamlet, in the parish
of Nantmel, union and hundred of Rhaiadr, county
of Radnor, South Wales, 3 miles (E. N. E.) from
Rhaiadr; containing 262 inhabitants. It comprises
a vale in the upper part of the parish, near the source
of the Dulas stream, which flows into the river
Ithon.
Vainor-Isa (Faenor-Isâf)
VAINOR-ISA (FAENOR-ISÂF), a township,
in the parish of Llanbadarn-Vawr, union of Aberystwith, Lower division of the hundred of Geneu'rGlyn, county of Cardigan, South Wales, 1 mile
(N. N. E.) from Aberystwith; containing 202 inhabitants. It lies on the sea-coast, and has several
pleasing residences. A portion of it is included within
the boundaries of the contributory borough of Aberystwith, to the schools at which place the children of
the township have access. The Duke of Leeds, as
lord of the manor of Vainor, receives five shillings
per ton on the coal brought coastwise to Aberystwith,
by virtue of a grant made by Charles I.
Vainor-Ucha (Faenor-Uchâf)
VAINOR-UCHA (FAENOR-UCHÂF), a
township, in the parish of Llanbadarn-Vawr, poorlaw union of Aberystwith, Lower division of the
hundred of Geneu'r-Glyn, county of Cardigan,
South Wales, 2 miles (E. N. E.) from Aberystwith;
containing 367 inhabitants. The northern part of
this township is partially wooded; and here are some
large upright stones, standing apart, which are apparently of great antiquity: it is bounded on the
south by the river Rheidiol.
Van
VAN, a township, in the parish of Bedwas,
union of Cardiff, hundred of Caerphilly, county
of Glamorgan, South Wales, 1 mile (E.) from
Caerphilly; containing 58 inhabitants. The remainder of the parish is in the hundred of Wentlloog,
county of Monmouth, and is connected with this
township by Bedwas bridge, across the river Romney, which separates the two counties.
Varchwel
VARCHWEL, a hamlet, in the parish of Guilsfield, partly in the hundred of Pool, and partly in
the liberties of the borough of Welshpool, county
of Montgomery, North Wales, 4 miles (N. E.)
from Welshpool; containing 212 inhabitants. The
Guilsfield branch of the Montgomeryshire canal commences near this hamlet. The tithes of Varchwel,
Burgedin, and Rholescyn, have been commuted for
£344 payable to the Dean and Chapter of ChristChurch, Oxford, and £117 payable to the vicar of
Guilsfield. The impropriate and vicarial glebes
comprise two acres each.
Velindre (Trêf-Y-Felin)
VELINDRE (TRÊF-Y-FELIN), with Trêgoed, a township, in the union of Hay, in that part
of the parish of Glàsbury which is in the hundred
of Tàlgarth, county of Brecknock, in South
Wales, 4 miles (S. W.) from Hay; containing 410
inhabitants. It is situated at the north-western extremity of the Black Mountains of Tàlgarth. Trêgoed, in the hamlet of that name, is the seat of Viscount Hereford; and in the hamlet of Velindre is
Gwernyvet, formerly the seat of the family of Williams, but now a farmhouse, and the property of
Colonel Wood, in right of his mother, who was the
daughter of the late Sir Edward Williams. The unfortunate monarch, Charles I., in his wanderings in
this part of the country after the battle of Naseby,
dined with Sir Henry Williams at Gwernyvet, on
the 6th of August, 1645. At Velindre was situated
a chapel of ease (demolished about the middle of the
last century); also what was called the Lord's mill,
which is implied in the name, signifying "mill-town."
There are places of worship for Baptists and Independents, the latter endowed with a farm designated
Blaenau Bâch, in the parish, said to have been purchased with the aggregate amount of several small
bequests and donations, and now yielding a rental of
£20. In 1612, Sir David Williams, of Gwernyvet,
left twenty shillings per annum, to be paid out of the
tithes of Gwenddwr, towards repairing the road from
Velindre to Tyie Glâs; thirty shillings from the
same source, to the poor of Velindre and Aberllynvi;
and £5 a year, to be distributed either in food or
clothing, to the most distressed poor in the neighbourhood of Gwernyvet, the family seat. The property left for these purposes having very much increased in value, the sum of £8. 0. 6. is now paid
towards the repair of the road; £6. 8. 6. as the bequest for the poor of Velindre and Aberllynvi; and
£22. 2. 6. are distributed in meat and clothing to the
poor resident about Gwernyvet.
Velindre
VELINDRE, a hamlet, in the parish of Llangendeirn, hundred of Kidwelly, union and county
of Carmarthen, South Wales, 6 miles (S. S. E.)
from Carmarthen; containing 335 inhabitants. This
hamlet is situated on the northern declivity of some
elevated ground, about a mile and a quarter to the
south of the parochial church.
Venni-Vâch
VENNI-VÂCH, a township, in the parish of St.
John the Evangelist, Brecknock, hundred of
Merthyr-Cynog, union and county of Brecknock,
South Wales, 1½ mile (W.) from the town of
Brecknock; containing 148 inhabitants. This place
is beautifully situated under a luxuriant wood, facing
the south, to which circumstance may be attributed
the numerous verandas that embellish the cottages,
and add so much to their picturesque appearance.
The township is bounded on the west by the river
Yscir, and on the south by the Usk. At its western
extremity, and in the angle formed by the rivers
Usk and Yscir at their confluence here, stood Caer
Vong, or Caer Bannau, the ancient metropolis of
Bleddyn ab Maenarch, which was razed to the
ground by Bernard Newmarch. This Norman invader, having defeated Bleddyn in battle, and
usurped his territories, built a fortress for their
defence near the confluence of the Honddû with the
Usk, for the erection of which the remains of Caer
Vong furnished materials, and also for building the
town of Brecknock, which rose from its ruins around
the newly constructed fortress. Caer Vong, now
called The Gaer, is supposed to have been originally
the site of one of the earliest stations of the Romans,
in the province of Britannia Secunda. According to
Mr. Strange, who has described it in the Archæologia, it forms a quadrilateral area, 624 feet in length,
and 426 feet wide, rounded at the angles. The
foundation of the wall by which it is inclosed is still
entire, and is seven feet in thickness: in some places
this wall is remaining to the height of from three to
six feet above the ground, with some of the facings
entire. A fragment of brick inscribed LEG. II. AVG.,
two gold coins of the Emperor Nero, and a silver
coin of Trajan, discovered at this place, were, according to Mr. Strange, in the possession of the
proprietor of the soil. About a quarter of a mile
from the farmhouse now occupying part of the area,
in a lane leading to Brecknock, is a stone, about six
feet in height, having two figures rudely cut on it in
relief, and part of a Latin inscription.
At a short distance from The Gaer, towards the
east, were the lines of a British encampment, plainly
discernible till overspread by the luxuriant woods of
Venni; they are now entirely concealed by those
woods, and consequently not to be traced without the
greatest difficulty. A mile to the north-east is Peny-Crûg, one of the largest and most perfect remains
of the strongholds of the ancient Britons in South
Wales. Its form is elliptical, including an area
nearly 600 yards in circuit, defended all round by
three high ramparts, which are for the greater part
entire. It occupies a commanding situation on the
summit of a lofty hill, overlooking the town of
Brecknock, and having the only entrance on the
east. The prospect from this height is very extensive
and exceedingly beautiful, comprehending the Vale of
Usk, with the winding course of the river from below
Bwlch to the tastefully disposed grounds of Penpont
and Abercamlais. On the south rises the magnificent
chain of mountains called the Beacons, and on the
north is the small but highly picturesque Vale of
Honddû. Among the numerous interesting objects
which this splendid view embraces are, the ivymantled ruins of Brecknock Castle; the venerable
towers of St. John's and St. Mary's churches; the
luxuriant woods of Pennoyre, Frwdgrêch, Dinas,
Penpont, and Venni; and the numberless heights of
varied aspect which fill up a large tract of country,
abounding in beauty and variety, and combining the
most prominent features of pleasingly picturesque
and strikingly romantic scenery. Upon an eminence
formerly called Pen-Cevn-y-Gaer, and now Slwch
Tump, at the eastern extremity of the parish, are the
remains of an encampment, similar in form to that
of Pen-y-Crûg, but of smaller dimensions, defended
by a double fosse, which is in some places nearly
destroyed.
Verwic (Y Ferwig)
VERWIC (Y FERWIG), a parish, in the Lower
division of the hundred of Troedyraur, union and
county of Cardigan, South Wales, 2¼ miles (N.)
from Cardigan; containing 456 inhabitants. This
parish, which is situated on the coast of St. George's
Channel, is celebrated in the Welsh annals for the
resistance opposed by the natives to a body of invading Flemings. The latter had effected a landing
on a part of the beach, called Traeth-y-Mount; and
in the desperate battle which ensued, these invaders
were defeated with dreadful carnage, and their dead
bodies were strewn in heaps on the sands. This
conflict took place on the first Sunday after Newyear's day, which, from that event, was styled Sul
Côch, or "the red Sunday," and the battle was
fought near a farm named Nant-y-Flynion, from the
small brook in the neighbourhood, close to which the
enemy landed. The bones of the slaughtered Flemings buried on the coast, are still discoverable when
the sands are scattered by the winds. The parish is
skirted by the river Teivy, and comprises about
3000 acres, of which one-sixth part is common or
waste. The river abounds with salmon, trout, turbot,
dories, sewin, and various other kinds of fish, in
taking which the inhabitants are chiefly employed
during the season.
The living is a discharged vicarage, rated in the
king's books at £10. 13. 4., endowed with £200
royal bounty, and in the patronage of the Lord
Chancellor; impropriators, Arthur Jones, Esq., and
the Miles family. A rent-charge of £240 has been
awarded as a commutation in lieu of tithes, of which
sum the impropriators receive two-thirds and the
vicar one-third. The church, dedicated to St. Pedrog, is a small ancient edifice, and consists of a
nave and chancel separated by a large pointed arch,
with a tower communicating with the nave by a
similar arch of smaller dimensions; the font is elaborately ornamented, and over the porch is the date
1627. There are places of worship for Baptists and
Calvinistic Methodists, with a Sunday school held in
each of them. On a tenement here is to be seen a
barrow, from which it has obtained the name of
Crûg, but nothing is known of the origin of the
work.
Vorlan
VORLAN, a township, in the parish of St.
Mary's, or Maenclochog, union of Narberth,
hundred of Dungleddy, county of Pembroke,
South Wales, 9 miles (N. by W.) from Narberth;
containing 47 inhabitants. This township is of very
small extent, and the vicar of the parish was formerly
the only inhabitant of it that was assessed to the relief
of the poor.
Vrithoed
VRITHOED, a hamlet, in the parish of Cyfeiliog, union and hundred of Ruthin, county of
Denbigh, North Wales; containing 87 inhabitants.
Vro
VRO, a parcel, in the parish of Llangynider,
union and hundred of Crickhowel, county of
Brecknock, South Wales; containing 542 inhabitants. The parochial church is situated here.
The parcel is bounded on the north-east by the river
Usk, and on the north-west by the Crawnon brook,
which flows into that river near where an ancient
castle is said to have stood. A bridge crosses the
Usk, on the line of road leading from Crickhowel to
Brecknock and to Tàlgarth. The Brecknock canal
passes through the place, along the western bank of
the river; and the hills abound with limestone, the
quarrying and burning of which afford employment
to many of the inhabitants.
Vro
VRO, a hamlet, in the parish of Llanthetty,
hundred of Pencelly, union and county of Brecknock, South Wales, 7 miles (N.) from MerthyrTydvil; containing 324 inhabitants. It comprises a
portion of the upper part of the Lesser Tâf valley,
which contains some pleasing scenery; and includes
Tâf Vechan chapel, the living of which is a perpetual
curacy, endowed with £800 royal bounty, and £200
parliamentary grant: patron, the Rector of Llanthetty parish.
Vynne (Finau)
VYNNE (FINAU), a lordship, in the parish of
Aberguilly, Lower division of the hundred of Elvet, union and county of Carmarthen, South
Wales; containing 544 inhabitants. This place
belongs to the Bishop of St. David's, and possesses
some peculiar privileges, distinct from the rest of the
parish. A court leet is regularly held, and a portreeve and constables are appointed. A rate is also
collected for the repairs of the roads, exclusively of
that for the rest of the parish; but there is no separate assessment for the maintenance of the poor.