LLAN-WRIN (LLAN-WRIN), a parish, in the union and hundred of MACHYNLLETH, county of MONTGOMERY, NORTH WALES, 4 miles (N.
E. by E.) from Machynlleth '  containing 822 inhabitants. This parish, which lies in the western portion of the county,
bordering upon Merionethshire, by which it is bounded on the north and west, is pleasantly situated on the north bank of
the river Dovey, and has the parishes of Machynlleth and Penegoes on the south, and those of Darowen and Cemmes on the
east; it is intersected by the turnpike-road leading from Machynlleth to Dinas Mowddwy, which runs through the village;
and comprises by a recent survey 10,280a. lr., of which 1241 acres are amble, 4981 meadow and pasture, 2789 mountain
sheep-walks, and the remainder woodland. The surface is greatly diversified, and is much indebted for its picturesque
scenery to several narrow valleys bordered on each side with oak woods, and watered by many pleasing rivulets. The
prospects are finely varied, and from the higher .grounds are seen some of the principal mountains in North Wales, with
nearly the whole of the beautiful Vale of Dovey, through which that river pursues its winding course. The road from
Machynlleth to Dolgelley, through the Vale of the Dulas, is remarkable for the beauty of its views, the vale being
characterised by strikingly romantic and picturesque scenery. From the front of Vronvelen is a fine prospect, embracing on
the left the small, richly wooded, and highly cul-. tivated valley, watered by the little river Dulas, and on the right is
an extensive range of bleak and sterile mountains, beyond which the rugged head of Cader Idris is seen towering with
sullen grandeur in the distance. The soil is various, and the chief produce wheat and oats, with a small portion of barley
and rye; the mountainous districts contain slate, which has occasionally been worked, but has been neglected for the last
seven years on account of the expense: of the rateable annual value, the return is £3144. The living is a rectory, rated
in the king's books at £12. 16. 51t.; patron, Bishop of St. Asaph: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of
£364. 19. 101.; and there is a glebe of about a quarter of an acre, with a house. The church, dedicated to St. Gwrin,
is an ancient structure, in the early style of English architecture, measuring within 163 feet in length, and 24 in
breadth, and containing 300 sittings, of which 200 are free; the chancel window is embellished with stained glass, and in
the central compartment, which is the most perfect, is a representation of Christ upon the Cross. There are places of
worship for Independents and Calvinistic Methodists, to whom two Sunday schools appertain, in which 100 males and
females are instructed gratuitously. Mrs. Anne Pugh bequeathed £50, an unknown benefactor £49, and John David Evan £10;
which sums, together with several smaller benefactions, the whole amounting to £160, were lent to the trustees of the
turnpike of Dovey Bridge, and now yield an interest of £8 per annum, the proceeds of which are distributed among the poor.
On the bank of the river Dovey, in the parish, is Mathavarn, the ancient residence of Davydd Llwyd ab Llewelyn ab Grufydd,
a celebrated bard and seer, who flourished in this part of the principality from 1470 to 1490. The Earl of Richmond,
afterwards Henry VII., on his route from Milford to Bosworth Field, is said to have passed one night at this mansion, and,
in his anxiety for the issue of his enterprise, to have privately requested the opinion of his host. Davydd cautiously
replied, that a question of so much moment could not be immediately answered, and that be would give his opinion in the
morning. His wife, observing the perplexity in which the question had involved him, expressed her astonishment at his
hesitation, and advised him to inform the earl that the issue of the enterprise would be successful and glorious;
observing at the same time, that, should his prediction be verified, he would receive honours and rewards, and if
otherwise, there was little probability of the earl's ever returning to reproach him. During the civil war in the reign of
Charles I., the forces under Cromwell, having entered this part of the principality, which they reduced into subjection to
the Commonwealth, burned the seat of Mathavarn, in 1644, and committed many ravages in the neighbourhood. The Rev. Isaac
Bonsall, the present incumbent, has an extensive and valuable collection of Greek and Roman, and of ancient and modern
British and Irish coins, of gold, silver, brass, and copper, and also a beautiful assortment of minerals. Among the
antiquities is the seal of the monks of Strata-Florida abbey.