PENLLYNE (PEN-LLIN), a parish, in the union of BRIDGEND-AND-COWBRIDGE, hundred of OGMORE, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH
WALES, 3 miles (N. W. by W.) from Cowl:ridge; containing 320 inhabitants. This place is chiefly distinguished for its
ancient castle, the founder of which and the time of its erection are both unknown; but the construction of its walls
plainly indicate a very early origin; and its situation on the summit of a lofty eminence near the village, commanding
the surrounding country, shows it to have been a post of some importance. In Leland's time, the castle, with its
dependencies, was the property of the Turbervile family, from whom it passed to the Stradlings of St. Donates, and from
that family, in default of heirs male, to the Manses of Margam, together with part Of their other estates. The property
was subsequently devised by the late Lady Vernon, daughter of Lord Manse!, to Miss Owynnette, who erected on part of the
site of the castle an elegant modern mansion, in which some remains of the ancient edifice were incorporated: this lady
bequeathed it to the Earl of Clarendon for life, with reversion to Capt. Tyler, R. N. From the eminence on which the
present mansion is built there is an extensive view of the adjacent country, abounding with highly picturesque and
beautifully diversified scenery, in some parts enriched with woods, and in others enlivened with pleasing villages and
numerous gentlemen's seats. Penllyne Court, formerly the seat of Major Deere' is a handsome house, situated in the centre
of a thriving plantation, and commanding some fine prospects. The parish is surrounded by those of Llansannor, Colwinstone
and Llanblethian, and contains by computation 1258 acres, of which 958 are in pasture, 200 arable, and 100 woodland; the
surface is elevated and hilly, and in many parts covered with wood, the prevailing timber consisting of ash; and the soil
is of various qualities, producing good crops of wheat, barley and oats. The village is small and pleasantly situated;
and the turnpike-road from Cardiff to Swansea passes through the parish. The living is a discharged vicarage, rated in the
king's books at £4. 15. 21., and endowed with £600 royal bounty; patron and impropriator, Earl of Dunraven: the tithes
have been commuted for a rent-charge of £161. 19., of which £100 are payable to the impropriator, subject to rates,
averaging £15. 16. 3., and £61. 19., subject to rates that average £10. 3. 1., to the vicar, who has likewise a glebe of a
quarter of an acre, valued at 5s. per annum. The church; dedicated to St. Brynach, and hence commonly called Llanvrynach,
is an ancient and venerable structure in the early style of English architecture, situated on the south side of the
turnpike-road, about a mile from the village; it is 62 feet long by 41 broad. Burials and christenings, and occasionally
divine service, are performed here; but the regular service is performed every Sunday at a chapel of ease in the village,
which is more convenient for the parishioners. A school on the National system has been established in connexion with the
central society in London, from which the parish received a grant of £28 towards the erection of a building for the
purpose; it is supported by subscription, and contains from 20 to 80 children daily, and from 15 to 20. on Sundays. There
is also a Sunday school, in which about 60 males and females are gratuitously instructed by dissenters. The produce of
three cha. rities, received down to 1786, has been since lost to the poor; one a bequest of £56 by Charles Price, in 1703,
and the other two, sums of £10 and £7, Oven by unknown donors. The largest sum is said to have been expended in purchasing
barley for the poor in a time of scarcity; but interest continued to be paid for it out of the parish rates until 1806;.
the other amounts were lent on insufficient securities to parties who became insolvent.