LLANVIHANGEL-NANT-BRAN (LLANFIHANGEL-NANT-BRAN), a parish, in the hundred of MERTHYR-CYNOG, union of BRECKNOCK and county
of BRECKNOCK, SOUTH WALES, 9 miles (N. W.) from Brecknock; containing 495 inhabitants. This place derives its name from
the dedication of its church to St. Michael, and its distinguishing adjunct from the small rivulet Bran, which intersects
the narrow vale wherein it is situated. The vale extends for about four miles in a direction from north-west to south-
southeast; and along the summits of the hills by which it is inclosed are extensive sheep-walks, affording good. pasturage
for numerous flocks, upon the rearing of which the farmer depends more than upon tillage., The lower lands are, with the
exception of comparatively a small portion, inclosed and in a good state-of cultivation; the annual value of the rateable
pro- perty being returned at £1843, of which £1016 are for the Lower, and £828 for the Upper, division. The scenery of the
vale is pleasingly varied, but is not distinguished by any striking peculiarity of feature; and the views from the higher
grounds embrace many objects of interest, and some fine and' extensive prospects over the surrounding country, which is
rich in picturesque and romantic scenery. The church was formerly a chapel of ease to, Merthyr-Cynog, and, during the
usurpation of Cromwell, was endowed with fA0 per annum out of the rectorial tithes of that parish, the living of which,
was sequestrated by the parliament; but at the Restoration the property was given back to the legitimate owner, and the
endowment of this chapel was discontinued. The living is a perpetual curacy, endowed with £800 royal bounty; net income,
£68; patrons and impropriator, Coheirs of W. Jeffreys,- Esq., whose tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £227.
The church, which is situated in the centre of the village, is a plain ancient edifice, in, a very dilapidated condition,
and possessing no architectural details of importance: the parsonage-house,. which had been suffered to go to decay, fell
down in the reign of Charles I. and has not since beeni rebuilt. There are two places of worship for Bap=. tists, and one
for Calvinistic Methodists:. About 20; children are instructed in a day school at the ex-, pense of their parents; and
there are three Sunday schools, in which 160 males and females' are taught gratuitously by the dissenters. Pw11-y-Llacha,
tenement in the parish, forms part of the endowment of Jesus' College, Oxford, given by Dr. Hugh-Price,: the founder of
that institution. Bola Maen, also a tenement in the parish, was given by an unknown benefactor, who appropriated the rent
to the, payment of the dciating minister of the Roman Catholic congregation at Brecknock.