VENNI-VACH, a township, in the parish of ST-JOHN-THE-EVANGELIST, BRECKNOCK, hundred of MERTHYR-CYNOG, uniqn and county of
BRECKNOCK, SOUTH WALES, 1* mile (W.) from Brecknock; containing 148 inhabitants. This place is beautifully situated under
a luxuriant wood, facing the south, to which circumstance may be attributed the numerous virandas that embellish the
cottages, and add so much to their pleasing and picturesque appearance. The township is bounded on the west by the river
Yscir, and on the south by the Usk; and the annual value of its rateable property is returned at £1057. At its western
extremity, and in the angle formed by the rivers Usk and Yscir, at their confluence here, stood Caer Vong, or Caer Bannau,
the ancient metropolis of Bleddyn ab Maenarch, which was razed to the ground by Bernard Newmarch, who, having defeated him
in battle, and usurped his territories, built a fortress for their defence near the confluence of the HonddA with the Usk,
for the erection of which the remains of Caer Vong furnished materials, and also for building the town of Brecknock, which
rose from its ruins around the newly constructed fortress. This spot, now called " the Gaer," is supposed to have been
originally the site of one of the earliest stations of the Romans, in the province of Britannia Secunda. According to Mr.
Strange, who has described it in the Archteologia, it forms a quadrilateral area, six hundred and twenty-four feet in
length, and four hundred and twenty-six feet wide, rounded at the angles. The foundation of the wall by which it is
inclosed is still entire, and is seven feet in thickness: in some places this wall is remaining to the height of from
three to six feet above the ground, with some of the facings entire. A fragment of brick inscribed LEG. H. AVG., two gold
coins of the Emperor Nero, and a silver coin of Trajan, discovered at this place, were, aecording to Mr. Strange, in the
possession of the proprietor of the soil. About a quarter of a mile from the farm-house now occupying part of the area, in
a lane leading to Brecknock, is a stone, about six feet in height, having two figures rudely cut on it in relief, and part
of an inscription, of which only the words ET CONIVNX EIVS-EST are now legible. At a short distance from the Gaer, towards
the east, were the lines of a British encampment, plainly discernible till overspread by the luxuriant woods of Venni, by
which they are now entirely concealed, and consequently not to be traced without the greatest difficulty. A mile to the
north-east is Pen-y-Cr, one of the largest and most perfect remains of the strong-holds of the ancient Britons in South
Wales; its form is elliptical, including an area nearly six hundred yards in circuit, defended all round by three high
ramparts, which are for the greater part entire: it occupies a commanding situation on the summit of a lofty hill,
overlooking the town of Brecknock, and having the only entrance on the east. The prospect from this height is very
extensive and exceedingly beautiful, comprehending the Vale of Usk, with the winding course of the river from below Bwlch
to the tastefully disposed and richly varied grounds of Penpont and Abercamlais; on the south rises the magnificent chain
of mountains called the Beacons, and on the north is the small but highly picturesque Vale of Hondd0. Among the numerous
interesting objects which this splendid view embraces are, the ivy-mantled ruins of Brecknock Castle; the venerable towers
of the priory and St. Mary's churches; the luxuriant woods of Pennoyre, Frwdgrech, Dines, Penpont, and Venni; and the
numberless heights of varied aspect which fill up this tract of country, abounding in beauty and variety, and combining
the most prominent features of pleasingly picturesque and strikingly romantic scenery. On an eminence formerly called Pen
Cevn-y-Gaer, and now Slwch Tump, at the eastern extremity of the parish, are the remains of an encampment, similar in form
to that of Pen-y-Critg, but of smaller dimensions, defended by a double fosse, which is in some places nearly destroyed.