LLANVIHANGEL-TALYLLIN (LLANFIHANGEL-TAL-Y-LLSN), a parish, in the hundred of TALGARTH, union of BRECKNOCK and county of
BRECKNOCK, SOUTH WALES, 4,1 miles (E.) from Brecknock; containing 151 inhabitants. This parish derives its name from the
dedication of its church to St. Michael, and its distinguishing adjunct from its situation at the head or north-western
extremity of the beautiful lake called Llangorse pool, or Llyn Savaddan. The whole of it, together with the parish of
Cathedine and part of Llangorse, was assigned by Bernard Newmarch to his royal prisoner Gwrgan, son of Bleddyn ab
Maenarch; but it appears to have reverted to the Norman lords of Brecknock, on the marriage of the Welsh chieftain with
the heiress of Wizton, in the county of Pembroke, to which place he immediately removed. On the attainder of the last Duke
of Buckingham of the Stafford family, this property was granted to John Welwyn, from whom it successively passed to the
Wynters, the Philippses, the Scourfields, and the Prichards, and finally to the grandfather of the Rev. Hugh Bold, the
present lord of the manor. The rateable annual value of the parish has been returned at £1084. The village is agreeably,
situated at the head of the lake, which is two miles in length and one in breadth, and abounds with perch, pike, and eels,
of which last some are found of enormous size. From this fine sheet of water issues the small stream called the Llynvi,
which during part of its course forms a boundary between the hundreds of Pencelly and Tilgarth, and afterwards falls into
the Wye just above the bridge at Glisbury. The surrounding scenery is pleasingly diversified, and in some parts highly
picturesque; and the views comprehend some interesting features, among which the Brecknockshire Beacons are conspicuous.
The turnpike- road from Brecknock to Llangorse and Tilgarth runs through the village; and the Brecknock and Hay tram-road
passes within a few hundred yards of it. The living is a discharged rectory, rated in the king's books at £4. 12. ait.;
patron, Rev. Hugh Bold: the tithes have been commuted for a rent-charge of £170; and there are 18 acres of glebe land,
valued at £18 per annum, and a very indifferent parsonage-house, attached to the benefice. The church, dedicated to St.
Michael, is an ancient structure, consisting of a nave and chancel, with a massive square tower at the west end, and is
beautifully situated at the extremity of the lake, and kept in good repair. Adjoining the churchyard is a room, purchased
and fitted up by the late rector, Archdeacon Davis, who, in 1816, established a school here on the National plan, which
is, however, at present suspended for want of scholars, the parish being so small. Mrs. Mary Philipps gave by deed a house
and garden in the village, the rent to be distributed in bread to the poor; but the benefaction produces only £1 per
annum, the rent being low, in consideration of the tenant's supporting a large family, who would otherwise be chargeable
to the parish. Mrs. Jennet Prosser also left a house and garden to the poor, which produces £2 a year; and Pwll-y-Mere, a
tenement in the parish, comprising about half an acre of land, worth about £1 per annum, was bequeathed for a supply of
sacramental bread and wine, to which use the rent is now applied.