EWYAS-HARROLD, a parish in the hundred of
WEBTREE, county of HEREFORD, 12 miles (S.W.) from
Hereford, containing 412 inhabitants. The living is a
perpetual curacy, in the archdeaconry of Brecon, and
diocese of St. David, endowed with £200 private benefaction,
and £400 royal bounty, and in the patronage
of the Bishop of St. David's. The church, dedicated
to St. Michael, is a small edifice, with a massive tower
in the early English style. Here was anciently a castle,
which, according to Dugdale, was built by William
Fitz-Osborne, Earl of Hereford, after the Conquest;
but Leland observes that it was probably erected by
King Harold, prior to his elevation to the throne, who
conferred it upon an illegitimate son, also named Harold,
from whom the place is supposed to have received its
distinguishing appellation. A prior and a small convent
of monks settled here about 1100, from the abbey of
St. Peter, in Gloucester, and continued till 1358, when,
the revenue being insufficient for their support, they
were again united to the abbey.