LLANVROTHEN (LLAN-FROTHEN), a parish, in the union of FESTINIOG, hundred of ARDUDWY, county of MERIONETH, NORTH
WALES, 3 miles (W. N. W.) from Tan-y-Bwkh; containing 858 inhabitants. The parish derives its name from the dedication of
its church to Brothen, an eminent British saint, who flourished about the end of the sixth century. It is situated between
the two estuaries of the Traeth Mawr and Traeth Bitch, and on the high road between Bethgelart and Tan-y-Bwlch, leading to
Dolgelley; and comprises a tract of about 0000 acres, whereof 200 are amble, 4477 pasture, 1106 mountainous land, and 134
wood, comprehending oak, ash, elm, birch, and beech, but consisting chiefly of oak, which is here, and in most parts of
the county, the prevailing timber. The surface is boldly undulated, rising in some parts into mountainous elevations, and
the surrounding scenery is strikingly diversified, combining features of romantic character and picturesque beauty. In the
parish is a romantic valley, situated in the heart of the mountains, and designated Croesawr, which name is said to have
originated in an exclamation of grief uttered by Helen, the queen of Constantine, whose only son falling into her arms
after he had been shot by a poisoned arrow, she cried out, " Oh I croesilwr, croesawr i mi," signifying, "alas ! to me,
ill-fated hour." Various small streams here join the Glfislyn, or, as it is commonly termed, the Traeth Mawr river; and
there is a small lake called Cwmvoel. The soil exhibits several' varieties, and comprises argillaceous, calcareous, and
silicious marls, producing chiefly oats, barley, and potatoes, with a small quantity of wheat: some of the best land is
that secured from the sea by an embankment formed at the mouth of the Traeth Mawr, upwards of thirty years,since, the soil
of which is a rich and fertile clay, and the crops particularly fine. Large flocks of sheep are depastared on the
mountains in the summer, and retire in the winter to the lowlands, supplying a large quantity of wool, which makes a
principal part of the disposable stock of the parish. Peat, which constitutes the chief fuel of the inhabitants, is found
in abundance in various places. At.Bwleh ‘Piwm is .a lead-mine, occupying from 12 to 20 hands, and at Pantywrach is a
copper-mine, employing from 20 to 25: slate is also supposed to exist in the parish. The gentlemen's seats are Brondanw,
Park, and Plisnewydd, which are very ancient mansions, and the two latter of which formerly belonged to the Wynne family.
The village of Llanvrothen stands about a quarter of a mile from the turnpike-road, and there is also a hamlet in the
parish called Carregpenargyfi n. The living is a discharged rectory, rated in the king's books at £6. 15., and endowed
with £200 royal bounty; present gross income, £106. 10.; patron, Bishop of Bangor. The tithes have been commuted for a
rent-charge of £99. 10.; and there is a glebe of seven acres, with a house, valued at £20 per annum. The church is an
ancient, commodious, and well-built edifice, measuring 66 feet in length and 20 in breadth, and contains 196 sittings, of
which 52 are free. There are places of worship for Baptists and Calvinistic Methodists, the latter of whom have also two
Sunday schools, containing 85 males and 65 females; and there is another school of from 16 to 20 males and females, who
attend the Established Church. Evan Thomas, in 1732, bequeathed £20; William Lewis Anwyl left £10; and John Carreg, £20:
of these sums £30 were lost, having been lent to a farmer who became insolvent; but the interest of the residue, together
with two rent-charges of 5s. and 10s., by Gwen Prichard, in 1715, and Mrs. Lloyd, in 1784, is distributed among the poor
at Christmas. There is also a bequest of £1. 15. per annum, by an unknown benefactor, to be appropriated to the
instruction of children.