Llandysul History
Llandysul and its archaeology, antiquities and history. Is a town in Ceredigion (formerly Cardiganshire), West Wales. The market town is situated between Ffostrasol and Pencader.
Llandysul’s conservation area is one of 13 conservation area in the county of Ceredigion. Conservation Areas are designated to preserve and enhance the special character of areas of architectural or historic interest. These conservation areas are selected according to the quality of the area as a whole, including the contribution of key individual or groups of buildings, trees, open space and streetscape.
For the full information, including information on designations, individuals should contact the planning department at Ceredigion County Council.
Table of Contents
1. Local History
2. Journal Index
3. Illustrations and Old Pictures
4. Schools and Education
5. Industry and Trades
6. Local Administration
7. Churches, Chapels and Religion
8. Location Map
9. References
10. Links
| Llandysul History Pictures |
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 Plan of Pen Coed Foel (Pencoed-y-foel) |
| County: Ceredigion Community: Llandysul Traditional County: Cardiganshire Map Reference SN44SW Grid Reference SN4175040690 |
| Medieval Parish Cantref: Is Aeron Commote: Gwynionydd |
| Ecclesiastical Parish: Llandysul, Acres: 17565.536 Bangor, Acres: 1460.425 Parish Hundred: Troedyraur |
| Electoral Ward: Llandysul Town |
| Listed Buildings: Llandysul Scheduled Monuments: Llandysul |
 Carved-work in Cardiganshire Churches – A Crucifixion at Llandyssul |
Since 1909 the Ceredigion Historical Society has published articles written about the archaeology, antiquities and history of Ceredigion, many of these articles printed within the Ceredigion Journal, are about the history of Llandysul.
The society has also produced three county volumes, under the name of the Cardiganshire County History series, these knowledgeable, learned, comprehensive and scholary publications record the history of prehistoric, early and modern Cardiganshire.
1. Local History
Scheduled Monuments in Llandysul, Ceredigion.
Scheduled monuments (also known as scheduled ancient monuments, or SAMs) are sites of archaeological importance with specific legal protection against damage or development.
- Castell Gwynionydd
- Castell Hywel
- Craig-Gwrtheyrn
- Pen Coed-Foel Camp
- Tomen Rhyd-Owen
Extract from ‘A Topographical Dictionary of Wales‘ by Samuel Lewis 1833
“LLANDYSSIL (LLAN-DYSUL), a parish, partly in the hundred of TROEDYRAUR, and partly in that of MOYTHEN, county of CARDIGAN, SOUTH WALES, 8 miles (E) from Newcastle Emlyn, on the road to Lampeter, containing 2724 inhabitants. This place derives its name from the dedication of its church to St. Tysilio, an eminent British saint who flourished during the earlier part of the sixth century. It is situated in the southern part of the county, bordering upon Carmarthenshire, and comprises nearly twenty-five thousand acres of land, forming two principal divisions, called respectively Llandyssil Is Cerdin and Llandyssil Uwch Cerdin, of which the former is in the hundred of Troedyraur, and the latter in that of Moythen. The parish is bounded on the south by the river Teivy, which separates it from the parish of Llanvihangel-ar-Arth, in the county of Carmarthen, and is intersected by the Clettwr stream, which falls into that river, and likewise by several smaller streams, which are tributary to both. It is divided into seven hamlets, which, however, maintain their poor collectively, and in each of which, with the exception only of that in which the parish church is situated, was formerly a chapel of ease, all of which have fallen to ruins. The surface is what is usually termed, in this part of the country, mountainous, the ground in some instances rising into conical hills of considerable elevation, and is intersected by numerous narrow valleys : the soil is in general stony and shallow, but is well adapted for the culture of barley and oats, which are the principal kinds of grain raised here : near Waun Ivor are some large bogs. The village, which is of considerable extent and of interesting appearance, is pleasantly situated on a beautiful reach of the river Teivy, the vale bordering upon which is here enclosed by a succession of bold and richly wooded eminences, alternating with obtruding masses of barren rock, and lofty precipices of rugged character, forming scenery of great beauty and grandeur: the views from the higher grounds embrace some pleasing and extensive prospects over the surrounding country and the fine Vale of the Teivy. Among the numerous interesting objects which enrich the scenery in this part of the vale are, a venerable bridge over the Teivy, the tower of the church rising above the trees in which it is embosomed, an elegant little mansion on the right bank of the river, and GilvâchWen, in the midst of luxuriant plantations, backed by hanging woods, which reach to the summit of the impending heights. Alltyrodin, the seat of John Lloyd, Esq., is an elegant modern mansion, built on the declivity of a steep hill rising from the bank of the river Clettwr, and sheltered from the keen winds, which at times rush through the dingle, by the thriving plantations in which it is enclosed : the library is enriched with a valuable collection of Welsh genealogical manuscripts. The grounds on the opposite bank of the river are tastefully and judiciously laid out. The family of Lloyd were originally of Castle Hywel, an ancient mansion which has been for some time deserted by its proprietor, and is now a farm-house. Waun Ivor, the residence of the Rev. D. Bowen, is a genteel house, delightfully situated on the bank of the river Teivy, and commanding from its park-like grounds a beautiful and picturesque view of the bridge of Llanvihangel-ar-Arth, and the church of that parish, situated on the summit of a richly wooded height overhanging the river. Gilvâch Wen, the seat of the Rev. Thomas Lloyd, is a small but elegant mansion, forming one of the most pleasing objects on the banks of the Teivy: it is beautifully situated in the midst of thick groves, and backed by luxuriant and extensive woods; but from the judicious disposition of the trees, the house, with the river winding beneath it, forms a conspicuous and beautiful feature in the landscape. A weekly market is held on Thursday ; and the fairs are on February 11th, the Thursday before Palm-Sunday, June 21st, September 19th, and November 11th. The living consists of a rectory and a vicarage, in the archdeaconry of Cardigan, and diocese of St. David’s: the rectory, which is a sinecure annexed to the headship of Jesus’ College, Oxford, is rated in the king’s books at £12.16. 8.; the vicarage, which is discharged, is rated at £10, endowed with £2000 parliamentary grant, and in the patronage of the Bishop of St. David’s. The church, dedicated to St. Tysilio, is an ancient structure, displaying portions in the successive styles of English architecture, with a square tower at the west end : it consists of a nave and aisles, and from its situation forms an interesting feature in the village. On a stone forming the entrance into the churchyard is an ancient inscription. There are places of worship for Independents, Calvinistic and Wesleyan Methodists, and Unitarians. Thirty shillings per annum, charged on a farm called Cwmoidw are annually distributed among the poor of this parish, at the discretion of the proprietor of Gilvâch Wen. There are many interesting remains of antiquity within the parish, among which are several carneddau, or sepulchral heaps of stones: four of these are nearly contiguous, and on opening one of them, within the last few years, three rude earthen vases and the ashes of human bones were found. A Welsh manuscript of the sixteenth century contains the following notice, which may perhaps throw some light upon the origin of these remains: “A. D. 1131, 5th of April, a desperate battle was fought in this parish, between Llewelyn ab Iorwerth and Davydd ab Owain, in which the former was successful, who buried the slain below the road, where the marks appear to this day.” According to the same manuscript, another battle was fought here, in 1250, between the men of Bangor, in North Wales, and Davydd ab Cadivor : the former passed the ford of Rhyd Owain at day-break on the 8th of March, and encountered Einon, who had come to the assistance of Davydd, with between six and seven thousand infantry and six hundred cavalry: these two chieftains caused a deep trench to be dug for their defence; but the abrupt termination of the manuscript in this place leaves the issue of the battle unknown. There are, in various parts of the parish, several artificial mounds, which appear to have been anciently crowned with small forts : one of these, at a place Cîl y graig is said to mark the site of Castell Abereinon noticed in the Welsh annals, and said to have been erected by Maelgwyn, about the year 1205. Another, near the river Clettwr, is supposed to point out the site of a castle called Humphrey’s Castle, probably from some Norman adventurer, who had obtained possession of the territory, and built the fortress, which was afterwards strengthened and improved, in 1150, by Hywel ab Owain Gwynedd, from whom it subsequently derived the name of Castell Hywel. A little below the Alltyrodin Arms, in the village, is the ford called Rhyd Owain, which, according to the tradition of the country, derived that name from Owain Gwynedd’s having forded the river at this place, in one of his invasions of South Wales ; and near it is a barrow, called Tommen Rhyd Owain, where probably some chieftain of celebrity was interred. On a hill above the church are some small remains of an ancient castle, with a moated tumulus, on which probably stood the keep : this castle, of which no account is preserved either in history or tradition, is supposed to have been the baronial residence of the lords of Gwynionydd, and to have been the head of that lordship. The average annual expenditure for the maintenance of the poor of the whole parish amounts to £993.14., of which sum, £476.2. is raised on the Is Cerdin portion of it.”
2. Journal Index
- Llandysul
- almshouses, i:140
- anghydffurfiaeth, iv:96,98,99,108,110
- argraffu, viii:204
- bells, i:131-6
- bibliography, iv-.304
- blacksmith, vi:100
- brassband
- see Llandysul : seindorf bres
- see also Llandysul : fife band
- bridge, i:118,119,137-9; iii:109; viii:351
- bronze collar, iv-.89
- cairns,ix:268
- caseg fedi (com dolly), ix:312-1. 3
- castles, iii:60-1,68
- ceffyl pren, ix:307,314
- cerddoriaeth, vi:306,307
- church, i:131 ; ii:108-16; iii:107; iv:117, 119; v:424-31
- churchwardens,ii:108-16
- coelion, viii:4.55,467
- coffee tavern, iv:178-9
- cricket team, iv:177
- curates, i:123
- early Christian settlement site, iii:107,112
- early history, iii:101-13
- Ebenezer independent chapel, iv:156,160
- emigration, ii:167,229; x:50
- fairs, iii:110,112; iv-.219; viii:86
- fife band, viii:30
- Horeb chapel, vi:53,57,75; viii:349
- iforiaid
- Ceredig, iii:28
- Tyssul Sant, iii:28,29
- ivorites
- see Llandysul : iforiaid
- land question
- see Llandysul : pwnc y tir
- Lôn Porth , ii:115
- market stores, viii:26,27,34,35,36
- Methodists, i:126
- mills, i:117
- Mona house, viii:35
- music
- see Llandysul : cerddoriaeth
- nonconformity
- see Llandysul : anghydffurfiaeth
- paupers, settlement of, i:120,129-31
- Penybont baptist chapel, iv:146,156,160; viii:26,36,37,39,48
- population, iv:152-4
- Porth Hotel, viii:55
- printers
- see Llandysul : argraffu
- see also Gwasg Gomer
- public houses, ii:112-15
- pwnc y tir, iv-.356
- railway, v-.316; viii:334
- Reading room, ii:115
- school board, iii:210,212,214
- schools, ii:109-11,139,141,146; iv:155; vi:47,87
- Charity school, i:123,132
- grammar school, iv:155; viii:57; ix:199
- intermediate school, viii:54-5,57-8,61,63-4, 66
- Mrs Bowen’s school, ii:110
- National School (ysgol isaf), iv:156; viii:30,36
- Rev. J. Thomas’s school, ii:155
- Teifi vale school, ix:199
- Yagol Frytanaidd, viii:27
- Yagol Gwilym Maries, viii:27
- Ysgol Gynradd (Ysgol ucha’), viii:47
- Ysgol y Bwrdd, viii:30
- Ysgol y Gof, iv:148
- Ysgol y Parch. Thomas James, viii:27
- Ysgoldy uchaf, iv:154
- seindorf bies, viii:30
- sextons, i:124-5
- Sion chapel, viii:349
- stocks, i:122,140
- superstitions
- see under Llandysul : coelion
- Tabernacle chapel, viii:57
- Tanygraig, viii:26
- vermin, i:140-1
- vestry meetings, i:113-41
- vicars, i:123
- weir, i:136-7
- Wesleyan chapel, iv:156,159
- Wesleyan methodis,ts iv:126
- whipping post, i:122,140
- Llandysul Benefit Society,iv:156-8
- Llandysul Is-Cerdyn Division, i:117-18,121, 124, 128, 136,139-40; iv:151, 152
- land holdings, iv-.391-3
- Llandysul, maerdref, iii:271-2
- Llandysul Uwch-Cerdyn Division, i:117-21, 124, 136-7, 139-40; iv:151, 152
3. Illustrations and Old Pictures
1. Index to Illustrations, Ceredigion Journal, Volumes I-X, 1950-84
- Llandysul 1892. Market stores,facing vlli:32 pt 3
- Llandysul Church. Ancient altar,facing v:428 pl. 21
- Llandysul Church. The Church of St. Tysul, facing v:428 pl. 23
- Llandysul Church. Memorial lych-gate, facing v:429 pl. 24
- Llandysul Church. The Velvor stone, facing v:428 pl. 22
- Llandysul in Tudor times, iii:111 fig.8
- Llandysul is Cerdyn, facing iv:165 map 2
- Llandysul.The native Welsh society, showing the Llysand Castell (rectangle), the Maerdref (star),and the Lian (cross), iii:105 fig. 6
- Llandysul. The pre-Christian period, showing Roman penetration (rectangle) into a Celtic Society, iii:103 fig.5
- Llandysul showing development of lay-out, facing iv:156 map 3
- Llandysul uwch-Cerdyn, facing iv:164 map 1
Carved-work in Cardiganshire Churches
4. Schools and Education
- school board, iii:210,212,214
- schools, ii:109-11,139,141,146; iv:155; vi:47,87
- Charity school, i:123,132
- grammar school, iv:155; viii:57; ix:199
- intermediate school, viii:54-5,57-8,61,63-4, 66
- Mrs Bowen’s school, ii:110
- National School (ysgol isaf), iv:156; viii:30,36
- Rev. J. Thomas’s school, ii:155
- Teifi vale school, ix:199
- Yagol Frytanaidd, viii:27
- Yagol Gwilym Maries, viii:27
- Ysgol Gynradd (Ysgol ucha’), viii:47
- Ysgol y Bwrdd, viii:30
- Ysgol y Gof, iv:148
- Ysgol y Parch. Thomas James, viii:27
- Ysgoldy uchaf, iv:154
5. Industry and Trades
- blacksmith, vi:100
- coffee tavern, iv:178-9
- market stores, viii:26,27,34,35,36
- mills, i:117
- Mona house, viii:35
- Porth Hotel, viii:55
- printers
- see Llandysul : argraffu
- see also Gwasg Gomer
- public houses, ii:112-15
- railway, v-.316; viii:334
6. Local Administration
- Llandysul Is-Cerdyn Division, i:117-18,121, 124, 128, 136,139-40; iv:151, 152
- land holdings, iv-.391-3
- Llandysul, maerdref, iii:271-2
- Llandysul Uwch-Cerdyn Division, i:117-21, 124, 136-7, 139-40; iv:151, 152
7. Churches, Chapels and Religion
- church, i:131 ; ii:108-16; iii:107; iv:117, 119; v:424-31
- churchwardens, ii:108-16
- early Christian settlement site, iii:107,112
- Ebenezer independent chapel, iv:156,160
- Horeb chapel, vi:53,57,75; viii:349
- Methodists, i:126
- Penybont baptist chapel, iv:146,156,160; viii:26,36,37,39,48
- seindorf bies, viii:30
- sextons, i:124-5
- Sion chapel, viii:349
- superstitions
- see under Llandysul : coelion
- Tabernacle chapel, viii:57 Tanygraig, viii:26
- vestry meetings, i:113-41
- vicars, i:123
- Wesleyan chapel, iv:156,159
- Wesleyan methodists, iv:126
8. Location Map
Some ideas to share your Stories below!
Have a memory and your not sure what to write? We have made it easy with some prompts and ideas, just think about this place and the importance its had in your life and ask yourself:
- What are my personal memories of living here?
- How has it developed and shops changed over the years?
- Do you have a story about the beach, community, its people and history?
- Tell us how it feels, seeing photographs and images of this place again?
- Tell us your favourite memories about this place?
The aim of the Ceredigion Historical Society is to preserve, record and promote the study of the archaeology, antiquities and history of Ceredigion. That objective has remained the same since the foundation of the Society in 1909, though its name was changed from Ceredigion Antiquarian Society to the Ceredigion Historical Society in 2002.
9. References
- Cardigan map (Header): Reproduced under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International (CC-BY-NC-SA) licence with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.
- View: Llandysul Historic Mapping
10. External links
- Coflein, discover the archaeology, historic buildings, monuments and history of Llandysul, Ceredigion
- Historic Place Names, learn about the field names and house names in the community of Llandysul
- A Pint of History, read about the history of Ceredigion pub’s, inn’s and local taverns of Llandysul
- People’s Collection Wales, share your stories, memories and photographs of Llandysul
GHOST STORIES
The belief in the existence of Fairies in Wales has almost died out, but we still find many people who are more or less superstitious with regard to ghosts, spirits, etc., and the belief in death omens is rather popular, even among educated people.
(p161)
“THE SPIRIT OF A LIVING MAN APPEARING TO A LITTLE GIRL AT PONTSHAN.
An old lady named Miss Pergrin, who lives at Pontshan, Llandyssul, informed me about five years ago, that when she was a little girl of about eleven years of age, a certain man who lived in that neighbourhood had gone from home, for some months, and just about the time when he was expected to return the little girl was one day walking along the road near the village, about two o’clock in the afternoon. She suddenly met the man coming home. He was coming along the road towards her, and looked at her, and then suddenly disappeared through a gate into an adjoining field. She was very much surprised, as the man was not expected home till next day. The next moment two sisters of the man appeared on the scene, and the girl informed them that she had just seen their brother, and inquired whether they had met him as they passed along the same road about the same time. But they in reply positively affirmed that they had seen no sight of him on the road or anywhere else since he left home, and that the girl must have been dreaming or inventing some idle tale, for their brother was not returning home till to-morrow. About 2 p.m., the next day, the man did come home, and, strange to say, it was found out that the day Miss Pergrin had seen him, he was far away from the district, so it was concluded that she had seen his spirit, and that in broad daylight. Miss Pergrin did not like to give the man’s name.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
GHOST STORIES
The belief in the existence of Fairies in Wales has almost died out, but we still find many people who are more or less superstitious with regard to ghosts, spirits, etc., and the belief in death omens is rather popular, even among educated people.
(p165)
“THE SPIRIT OF A DEAD DAUGHTER APPEARING TO THE MOTHER.
About ninety years ago one Mrs. D. Thomas, Llanfair, Llandyssul, had a daughter who was very promising, and her mother was so fond of her. She was sent to the well-known school of the celebrated Mr. Davis of Castell Howell. Unfortunately, however, the girl died, to the great sorrow of her poor mother who bewailed her loss day and night. But one day when the old lady was out in the potato field, the spirit of her dead daughter appeared suddenly to her, and spoke to her mother with severe looks: “Don’t cry after me, for I am in a much better place.” The above account I heard from the lips of Mr. Rees, Maesymeillion, parish of Llandyssul, about three years ago, to whom and his brother I am indebted for several other stories.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
GHOST STORIES
(p174)
“A SPIRIT IN A RIVER.
Near Llandyssul, in Cardiganshire, and the borders of Carmarthenshire, there is a pool in the River Teivi, known as the “Pool of the Harper.” When I visited the village a few years ago I was told that it is said that an old harper was drowned there long ago; and that it is still believed by some that on a fine summer afternoon, one hears his spirit playing his harp in the pool.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
HOW TO GET RID OF GHOSTS, SPIRITS, GOBLINS, AND DEVILS, ETC.
In some parts, especially on the borders of Cardiganshire and Carmarthenshire, it is believed that any one carrying a knife in his hands, will never see or be troubled by a spirit, even when passing a haunted spot in the depth of night.
(p192)
“TWO YOUNG WOMEN AND THE GOBLIN.
Two young women, daughters of a farmer in the parish of Llandyssul, were walking home one night from Lampeter Fair. After reaching the very field in one corner of which the house in which they lived stood, they wandered about this field for hours before they could find the building, though it was a fine moonlight night.
It seemed as if the farm house had vanished; and they informed me that they were convinced that this was the doings of the Goblin, who played them a trick.
The Welsh word for Goblin is Ellyll.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
DEATH PORTENTS.
Among the most important of the superstitions of Wales are the death portents and omens; and this is perhaps more or less true of every country. About a generation or two ago, there were to be found almost in every parish some old people who could tell before hand when a death was going to lake place; and even in the present day we hear of an old man or an old woman, here and there, possessing, or supposed to possess, an insight of this kind into the future.
(p207)
“A BIRD COMING INTO A HOUSE BEFORE A DEATH.
Mr. Rees, Maesymeillion, Llandyssul, informed me that many years ago there lived in that part of the country an old woman known as Nell Gwarnant. The old woman at one time had an only son, a young lad who was very dear to her. One day a certain bird came into the house quite suddenly, and descended on the rim of the Spinning Wheel, flapping its wings. The old woman feared that the bird was a precursor of death, and to her great sorrow her only son soon died. A bird coming into the house is also a sign of a storm.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
WITCHES, WIZARDS, PROPHECIES, DIVINATION, DREAMS.
The popular belief in witchcraft, is often alluded to by Shakespeare. In times gone by witches held dreaded sway over the affairs of men, perhaps more or less in almost every country; for they were suspected to have entered into a league with Satan, in order to obtain power to do evil, and it was thought that they possessed some uncanny knowledge which was used by them to injure people, especially those whom they hated. It was also believed that they could cause thunder and lightning, could travel on broomsticks through the air, and even transform themselves and others into animals, especially into hares. A good many other imaginary things were also placed to the credit of witches.
(p245)
“MEN CHANGED INTO ANIMALS.
The belief in transformation and transmigration has lingered among some people almost to the present day. Mr. Thomas Evans, Gwaralltyryn, in the parish of Llandyssul, informed me that he was well-acquainted with an old Ballad singer, who was known as Daniel Y Baledwr. Daniel lived near Castle Howel, and sang at Llandyssul fairs, songs composed by Rees Jones, of Pwllffein. This ballad-singer told my informant that he was sure to return after death in the form of a pig, or of some other animal; and that an animal had a soul or spirit as well as a man had.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
THE HEALING ART; OR HOW TO CHARM AWAY DISEASES, Etc.
There were and there are still, many charms in use for the purpose of removing warts; and the writer can prove from experience that there are cases of complete cures through the instrumentality of charms.
(p287-88)
“HEALING STONES.
There is at the present day preserved at Gilfachwen, Llandyssul, by D. J. Lloyd, Esq., a small white stone, not quite the size of an egg. The stone is comparatively soft, and was supposed to possess healing power to cure people bitten by mad dogs. A little substance of the stone was scraped off, and mixed with milk and given as a dose to the patients. In years gone by—though not now—people believed so much in this stone that some travelled long distances to Gilfachwen; but how many of them were cured I have not been able to discover. The stone is called Llaethfaen, and when I visited Gilfachwen about five years ago, Mr. Lloyd showed me the interesting relic, and a few weeks afterwards I received from the same gentleman, the following communication by post, with an enclosed copy of his late brother’s MS. concerning the stone:—
Gilfachwen,
Llandyssul,
Cardiganshire,
Feb. 20th, 1905.
Sir,—
I send you, as promised, a copy of all my late brother knew about the Llaethfaen. He died in 1889, but the paper was written many years before his death. There is no record of where the stone was found, or how it came to the Rev. D. Bowen’s hands.
I remain,
Yours truly,
D. J. LLOYD.
The following is a copy of the paper written by the late Mr. John Lloyd:—
LLAETHFAEN.
I know very little about this stone or what curative power it has or was supposed to have. I only know that it was very much in request many years ago. It came to my father’s possession on the death of his uncle, Rev. David Bowen, of Waunifor about the year 1847. In those days and for many years afterwards, mad dogs were very “fashionable,” a summer never passing without one hearing of a great many people having been bitten, and, consequently, a great many people called at Gilfachwen for a dose of the Llaethfaen, and whether it had curative or preventive powers or not, none of the patients were ever known to be attacked with hydrophobia. People who had been bitten would travel immense distances in order to get the stone. I remember a whole family, father, mother, and four or five children, who had been bitten by the same dog, arriving at Gilfachwen early one summer morning, before anyone was up, having travelled all night in order to be treated with the stone cure; they went away very happy and relieved in mind, after each had received a dose. It has not been used now for many years. The last instance I recollect was this: two men employed in a Brewery at Llanon, on the Cardigan coast, had been bitten by the same dog, supposed to be mad, arrived here on a Sunday afternoon; poor fellows, they looked utterly miserable and wretched; they had spent nearly a week enquiring for the stone, and meanwhile, had been advised by some old woman who was supposed to be learned in some ailments, not to eat any food; this advice they very foolishly followed, and when they arrived here, they were truly in a terrible plight. After giving each of them a dose of the Llaethfaen and a good meal they went away happy and never heard of them since.
JOHN LLOYD, Gilfachwen.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).