LLANILID (LLAN-ILID), a parish, in the union of BRIDGEND-AND-COWBRIDGE, hundred of COWBRIDGE, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH
WALES, 5 miles (N. by W.) from Cowbridge; containing 150 inhabitants. The name of this place is derived from the
dedication of its church to St. Ilid, an Israelite, who, having embraced Christianity, is said to have accompanied Bran ab
LISI, the deposed prince of Siluria, from Rome, about the year 70, for the purpose of introducing the Christian faith into
Britain. The parish is situated under the lofty ridge that extends from east to west through the county, and on the east
bank to the river Ewenny, which has its source in the vicinity, and joins the Ogmore near its influx into the Bristol
Channel; it is bounded on the north by the chapelry of Peterstone-super-montem, on the south by the parishes of
Llansannor and St. Mary Hill, on the east by those of Llanharan and Llanharry, and on the west by that of Coy-church; and
comprises about 1700 or 1800 acres, of 72 which about 300 are arable, 900 pasture, 100 woodland, and the remainder furze
and waste. The surface is undulated, and the higher grounds command some fine views over the adjacent country and the
channel; the soil comprehends gravel, clay, peat, and bog; the land is all inclosed, and by far the greater part is in a
state of good cultivation. Coal and limestone are found, but the latter only is worked, and is used to a small extent for
agricultural purposes. The parish comprehends the manors of St. John of Jerusalem, Rhythin, and part of Talyvan. The
living is a discharged rectory, with the rectory of Llanbaran consolidated, rated in the king's books at £7. 15. 7i., and
in the patronage of the Crown; present net income £253, with a glebe-house. The church is an ancient edifice, 40 feet long
and 15 wide, and contains upwards of 70 sittings, all free. Mr. Charles Price, about the year 1704, bequeathed 50; and Mr.
William Thomas, in 1737, £10; the interest of which sums is annually distributed among the poor not receiving parochial
relief. At the distance of about thirty yards to the north of the church are the remains of an encampment, supposed to be
of Roman construction, the form of which resembles that of an inverted basin, and which contains a large open space in the
interior. A house, called Tre Briln " the house of Bran" is said to have been the residence of Bran, the father of the
celebrated Caractacus, who, upon his return from Rome, where he had been kept as a hostage for his son, brought with him
the Jewish proselyte to whom the building of the church is ascribed.