LLANWNDA (LLAN-WYNDAF), a parish, in the union of HAVERFORDWEST, hundred of DEWISLAND, county of PEMBROKE, SOUTH WALES, 24
miles (N. W.) from Fishguard; containing 1045 inhabitants. This place appears to be of very remote antiquity, and the
adjoining district is supposed to have been a favourite resort of the ancient Druids. That it was a principal station for
the solemnization of their rites is .plainly indicated by the number of Druidical remains that are scattered over the
parish and throughout the vicinity, and also from various adjacent spots, which still retain the names 64 Llan Druidion,"
44 Fynnon Druidion," and others of similar import and origin. Near Fynnon Druidion were found five instruments of flint,
considered to have been used in flaying the victims devoted to sacrifice; and in the vale below is a circular earthwork,
marked out by a solitary erect .stone, probably to defend the pass of a small stream by which it is skirted, and perhaps
also to protect the avenue to the consecrated region. According to tradition, an ancient town called Trev Culhwch is said
to have existed here at a very early period,, of which evidence is frequently obtained in the foundations of old buildings
that still obstruct the plough in various parts of the farm on which it is situated. About the year 1076, Trehaern ab
Caradoc, Prince of North Wales, led his forces into South Wales, for the purpose of subjecting this country to his
dominion, and at PwlIgwttic was boldly encountered by IthS% ab Owain, the reigning prince, with all the forces he could
levy: here, after a long and sanwainary conflict, Rhys was at length defeated, with die loss of most of his army, and
being himself closely pursued by the victor, he was at length taken prisoner with his brother Howel, and both were put to
death by Trehaern in revenge for the murder of Bleddyn ab Cynvyn, which they had previously committed. The French effected
a landing on this part of the coast in the year 1797, and, after plundering the inhabitants for some time, the soldiers
becoming insubordinate through excess, their commander found it necessary to make an unconditional surrender to the local
forces brought against him by Earl Cawdor. The parish is pleasantly situated in the northwestern part of the county, and
is bounded on the north by St. George's Channel, and on the east by Fishguard bay, forming a promontory with a bold and
precipitous shore, and indented by several small bays, the soundings within half a mile of the coast being from seven to
twenty fathoms. The surrounding scenery is diversified with features of romantic grandeur; and the views from the higher
grounds embrace extensive prospects over the channel and the adjacent country, which abounds with objects of interest. Off
the north-western coast, in Carregonnen bay, are two small islets of a similar name. The return of the annual value of the
rateable property in the parish, amounts to £1710. 15. The living is a discharged vicarage, rated in the king's books at
£3. 5. 2i., and endowed with £600 royal bounty, and £400 parliamentary grant; present net income, £220; patrons and
appropriators, Precentor and Canons in the Cathedral of St. David's. The church, dedicated to St. Gwyndav, is not
distinguished by any architectural features of importance. There are places of worship for Baptists and Calvinistic
Methodists. About 40 children of both sexes are instructed in two day schools at the expense of their parents, with the
exception of six, who are paid for by the minister of the parish: and there are three Sunday schools, in one of which are
15 males and females, who attend the Established Church; the others appertaining to dissenters, consist of 90: these
Sunday schools are supported by subscription, books being supplied by the Sunday School Society. William Hugh, in 1778,
bequeathed £20 to the poor not receiving parochial relief; but the sum is supposed to have been expended in the payment
of a annually among them, without creating any endowment permanently. A strong chain of well-connected forts, extending in
a direction from east to west throughout the whole length of the parish, is said to be of British origin: that on Garn
Vawr rock comprises an extensive area, inclosed by strong ramparts of uncemented stones, on the most accessible .parts,
flanked with portions of the rock which project in the form of natural bastions. On the summit of the hill above Goodwick
pier is a rocking-stone, weighing about five tons, and so nicely poised as to yield to the slightest pressure. A little
beyond it are three remarkable cromlechs in a right line, of which two have been overturned, but one still preserves its
original position. Another cromlech stands on the ledge of rock just above the village, the table stone of which is
fifteen feet in length, nine feet in width, and of an average thickness of two feet; and to the west of the site of the
ancient town of Trev Culhwch are the majestic remains of several cromlechs, of which one, more perfect than the rest, has
a table stone fifteen feet long, eight feet wide, and two feet and a half in thickness. On opening a cairn, in 1826, for
the purpose of widening a road near the sea, in the parish, was discovered a brass instrument, about nine inches long,
with a circular ring, at one end, and a flat triangle at the other, and pierced with two round holes in the neck that
connected these to; no satisfactory conjecture has been offered as to the use to which it was applied. Near Trey Asser,
in the parish, is a tumulus surrounded with a moat, which, on being opened some years since, was found to contain
fragments of urns, and other indications of its having been a place of sepulture. Trey Asser is said to have been the
birthplace of Asser, the friend and biographer of Alfred the Great. The celebrated Archdeacon Giraldus Cambrensis, who
attended Baldwin, Archbishop of Canterbury, while preaching the crusades throughout the principality, and is better known
for his literary works and numerous ecclesiastical appointments, was for some time incumbent of the parish.