PENMARK (PEN-MARK), a parish, in the union of CARDIFF, hundred of DINASPOWYS, county of GLAMORGAN, SOUTH WALES, 6 miles
(S. E.) from Cowbridge; containing 486 inhabitants. The name, signifying literally " Mark's Head," is supposed W have
been originally derived from the preservation of a human skull in the Churchyard, which, according to some monkish legend,
was said to be that of St. Mark, to whom the church is dedicated, and which was consequently regarded for many year's with
religious veneration. The place was distinguished at an early period by the erection of two castles, called respectively
Penmark and Fonmon, both belonging to the followers of Fitz-Haroon, and built for the protection of a portion of the
territories which, upon the conquest of this part of the pnaopality, that nobleman divided among the linightd who
attended him in his expedition. Penmark Castle, which was the property of Gilbert Humphreville, continued a place of
strength till the reign of Henry IV., when it was destroyed by Owain Glyndwr, in one of his incursions into the borders,
and is now in ruins. Fonmon Castle originally belonged to Sir John St. John de Blesto, and continued in his family till
the reign of Charles I., when, during the interregnum, it was given by the parliamentarian party to Colonel John Jones, an
active and zealous supporter of their interests, whose descendant is the present proprietor; the ancient building has
undergone various repairs and alterations, and now forms a venerable castellated mansion. The parish, situated in the
south-eastern part of the county, and on the Bristol Channel, which bounds it on the south, is surrounded on the other
sides by those of Llancarvan, Porthkerry, and St. Atkin. The village occupies the summit of an eminence overlooking a
romantic dell; and the entire parish comprises a considerable tract of land, which has been inclosed from an early period,
and is in a good state of cultivation. The surface is generally flat, but intersected by small wooded valleys, among which
elm and ash are the prevailing timber. Strong loam and clay, resting on a lies limestone, which is used for all building
purposes, are the principal ingredients of the soil, producing wheat and barley, with a large proportion of turnips; and
numerous sheep are likewise reared and fed on the pasturage. The rivers Thaw and Kenson, the latter falling into the
former, bound the parish for a part of their extent, and on them are two water-mills. The surrounding scenery is
pleasingly diversified and highly picturesque; and the views over the adjacent country, which is extremely fertile and
richly cultivated, are ,extensive, and embrace many interesting objects, among which the castellated mansion of Fonmon
Castle is most conspicuous. A fair is held on the 15th of April. The living is a vicarage, rated in the king's books at
£8. 13. 4.; patrons, Dean and Chapter of Gloucester. The tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £558. O. 3., of
which a sum of £847. 5. is payable to the Dean and Chapter, with a glebe of 13 acres, valued at £16 per annum, the whole
subject to rates, averaging £55. 2. 6. annually; and £210. 15. 3., subject to rates that average £28. 7., are payable to
the vicar, who has likewise a glebe of 100a. 2r. 26p., valued at £135. 10., and a house. The church, dedicated to St.
Mark, is a substantial and well-built edifice, but not distinguished by any architectural details of importance; it is 60
feet long by 23 wide, exclusively of the chancel, which is 33 by 17; and contains 60 pew sittings and 152 free seats. The
chapels of Aberthaw and Rhos, anciently dependent on the mother church, have long since fallen into decay. There are
places of worship for Independents and Calvinistic Methodists. A school, attended by about 35 children daily, and by 20 on
Sundays, is supported partly by subscriptions from the vicar and a few others, find partly by payments from the children;
and there is also a Sunday school, appertaining to Welsh Methodists, and affording gratuitous' instruction to 20 children
and adults. Several charitable donations and bequests, consisting of two houses; two acres 'of land at Sefton, yielding a
rent of £7 per annum, the gift of William Jones, of Blacton, in 1713; and about £60 in money, principally by unknown
donors, have been made for the benefit of the poor, the produce of which is on Good Friday distributed among them.