LLANRHYSTID (LLAN-RHYSTYD), a parish, in the union of ABERYSTWITH, lower division of the hundred of ILAR, county of CARDIGAN, SOUTH WALES, 9 miles (S. by W.) from Aberystwith, on the road to Cardigan; comprising the townships of Llanrhystid-Hamminiog and Llanrh'stidMeveunydd, and containing 1608 inhabitants. This place, though at present of little importance, has been distinguished in history from a remote period of antiquity. In 987 its church was demolished by the Danes, in one of their descents upon South Wales. The castle of Llanrhystid, called also Dinerth Castle, was, in 1080, at which period it belonged to lestyn ab Gwrgan, Prince of Glamorgan, sacked by Rhjrs, Prince of South Wales: it was destroyed in 1135, by Owain Gwynedd and his brother, aided by Hywel ab Meredydd and Rhts ab Madog ab Ednerth. Having been re-erected, it was besieged and taken, in 1150, with several other fortresses, by Cadell, Meredydd, and Rhjrs, the eons of Grufydd ab Rhys, Prince of South Wales, who, enraged at the spirited resistance of its defenders, whereby they lost some of their bravest troops, put the garrison to the sword. It was fortified by Roger, Earl of Clare, in 1158, and, about the close of the same century, was besieged and taken by Maelgwyn ab Rhjrs, who slew the garrison left to defend it b his brother Grufydd, and in 1204 rased it, with . several others, to prevent their falling into the hands of Llewelyn ab Iorwerth. The parish is situated on the shore of Cardigan bay, and bounded on the north by the parish of Llanddeiniol, on the south by that of Llansantfraid, on the east by Llangwyryvon, and on the west by the sea; and comprises by admeasurement 8650 acres, of which 2250 are arable, 600 meadow, 5200 pasture, 400 uninclosed common, find 200 woodland. The surface, which is ornamented with the stream of the Gwyre and several other rivulets, and interspersed with oak and ash and some recent plantations of larch, is marked by moderate elevations in several parts; but in the vicinity of the sea there are some fine level tracts: the lands are in general well cultivated, and the chief produce is wheat, barley, and oats. The seat of the ancient family of Lloyd is situated here, and is now occupied by one of the name of Philipps. The present village is situated near the influx of the Gwyre into the bay of Cardigan, and consists only of a few cottages, indifferently built. Fairs are held on the Thursday before Easter, November 12th (a hiring fair for servants), and the Thursday before Christmas; and at Lluest Newydd others take place on Sept. 23rd, Oct. 8th, and the second Friday after the 10th of the same month. The living is a discharged vicarage, rated in the king's books at £6. 13. 4.; patron, Bishop of St. David's: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £620, of which, a sum of £450 is payable to the precentor and chapter of St. David's, and one of £170 to the vicar. The church, dedicated to St. Rhystyd, occupies an elevated situation above the village, and is of considerable antiquity. There are places of worship for Baptists and Calvinistic dissenters. About 110 children are taught in two day schools, at the expense of their parents; and there are five Sunday schools, conducted by gratuitous teachers, in one of which are about 200 males and females, who attend the Established Church; the others appertain to dissenters, and afford instruction to about 200. Leland mentions the remains of a large edifice here, which some suppose to have been a nunnery; but there are now no vestiges of it, nor any authentic account of such an establishment having existed here.