LLANWRTHWL (LLAN-WRTHWL), a parish, composed of an Upper and a Lower division, in the union of RHAIADR, hundred of
BUILTH, county of BRECKNOCK, SOUTH WALES, 3 miles (S. by a.) from Rhaiadr; containing 568 inhabitants, of whom 289 are in
the Upper, and 279 in the Lower, division. This parish, which derives its name from the dedication of its church, is
situated at the northern extremity of the county, bordering upon Radnorshire, from which it is separated on the north and
north-east by the river Wye, and on the west and north-west by the streams of the Claerwen and Elain, which fall into that
river, on the northeastern confines of the parish. The rivulets Runnant and Dulas are the principal of the smaller streams
that intersect the parish, which comprises about 12,000 acres of extremely irregular surface, rising in some parts into
lofty hills, alternated with large tracts of level ground, forming extensive commons and bogs: the soil on the higher
grounds is rocky, and in the lower generally of a marshy nature; but on the banks of the Wye and Elain are some meadows of
luxuriant fertility. The surrounding scenery is strikingly diversified, and in many parts highly picturesque, and the
distant views are even magnificent. Copper-ore has been found near the junction of the small river Elain with the Wye, and
the Runnant works were established to procure it, but they have not been carried on with any degree of success. Of the
rateable annual value of the whole parish, the return made amounts to £1791, of which £935 is for the Upper, and £856 for
the Lower, division. The parish constitutes a prebend in the Collegiate Church of Brecknock, rated in the king's books at
£9. 12. 11., and in the gift of the Bishop of St. David's. The living is a discharged vicarage, endowed with £200 royal
bounty; present net income £85; patron, the Bishop. The church, dedicated to St. Wrthwl, or Morddal, is an ancient
edifice, situated near the Wye, and at no great distance from the influx of the Elam: in the churchyard is a large stone,
about six feet in height, of which the upper part appears to have been broken; from its situation, it may probably be the
shaft of a cross, though by some it is supposed to be of Druidical origin. In the upper division of the parish is a day
school, in which about 30 children of both sexes are instructed at the expense of their parents; also a Sunday school in
which about 20 males and females are taught gratuitously by dissenters. A sum of £16 is divided among the poor about
January, arising partly from a bequest by Edward ab Evan in 1648, of the farm called Cae'r Llan, containing above 10j
acres, and now let at a rent of £8 per annum; and partly from a charge of £3 on the property of Bronveddie by Hugh
Phillips, and the interest of a bequest of £100 by Margaret ap Owen. The parish is also entitled to participate in the
Boughrood charity at Brecon for apprenticing children under the grant of Rice Powell: generally two children are so
apprenticed with premiums of £6 each annually; and they also receive £2 each, at the expiration of the term, to purchase
the implements of their trade. On the hills are several cairns, especiallyon the height named Drygarn, or DerwyddpecGarn,
implying " the Druid's rock, or mount," part of which is in the adjoining parish of Llanvihangel-Abergwessin. There are
also some cairns on an eminence of less elevation, designated Genirhiw. On RhOs-Saitlimaen, or " the Seven Stone common,"
which is partly in this parish, and partly in that of Lianavan, are some stones very irregularly placed; but whether they
are military, sepulchral, or Druidical remains, cannot be precisely determined. Near this common is another, called Rhils-
y-Beddau, or "the common of the graves," the name of which would appear to commemorate some great battle, probably that of
Llechrhtd.