DISSERTH (DISERTH), a parish, in the hundred of COLWYN, county of RADNOR, SOUTH WALES, 5 miles ( N.) from Builth, comprising the townships of Disserth and 'Pre 'r Coed, each of which separately supports its own poor, and containing 610 inhabitants. This parish is situated on the banks of the river Wye, which is not navigable in this part of its course ; and is intersected by the turnpike roads from Builth, in the county of Brecknock, to Newtown, in Montgomeryshire, and to Aberyatwith, in the county of Cardigan. A place called Llechryd, situated within its limits, has generally been considered the scene of the celebrated victory, gained by RhYs ab Tewdwr, the rightful prince of South Wales, at the head of his Irish forces, over the usurping princes of Powys, the three Bona of Bleddyn ab Cynvyn; but this event may, with greater probability, be referred to Llechryd near Cardigan, on the banks of the river Teivy. The general surface of the parish is gently undulating, with the exception of a range of hills called Carneddan, which rise to a considerable height, and command an extensive and interesting prospect over the northern parts of the county of Brecknock, and a considerable portion of that of Radnor. The soil is in general fertile; and the lands, which are for the greater part enclosed, are in a good state of cultivation. The scenery of the parish is pleasingly varied, but not particularly striking; and as, with the exception of the Carneddau, there are few hills of any height, the views of the surrounding country are rather confined. The Carneddau hills afford good pasturage to numerous flocks of sheep, of which the wool is of very superior quality and highly esteemed. Fairs were annually held, on Hawey common, on the Saturdays before the 11th of February, the 11th of May, and the 11th of November, chiefly for the sale of live stock, but they have fallen into disuse. The living is a rectory, with the perpetual curacy of Bettws-Disserth annexed, in the archdeaconry of Brecknock, and diocese of St. David's, rated in the king's books at £ 16, and in the patronage of the Bishop of St. David's. The church, dedicated to St. Cewydd, is a spacious and venerable structure, consisting of a nave, chancel, and a lofty tower, crowned with turrets, which, from being white-washed, forms a conspicuous object in the distant view, but loses much of its original character upon nearer inspection. The rectory-house was burnt down, and has not been rebuilt; there is only half an acre of glebe. A charity school is supported by the subscriptions of a few benevolent individuals: it is in contemplation to erect a school-room, and to increase the number of children, who will be taught on the National plan. Ezekiel Williams, in 1762, bequeathed £40 to the poor not receiving parochial relief. The average annual expenditure for the support of the poor amounts to £372. 15., of which sum the portion raised by the township of Disserth is £187. 9.