Ystrad Meurig History
Ystrad Meurig history, archaeology and antiquities. Is a historic village in Ceredigion, formerly Cardiganshire, West Wales. Situated between Wenallt and Pontrhydfendigaid.
| Ystrad Meurig History Pictures |
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 Site plan Camp Penffrwdllwyd Ystrad Meurig |
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 Ystrad Meurig.
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. History
Scheduled Monuments in Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion.
Scheduled monuments (also known as scheduled ancient monuments, or SAMs) are sites of archaeological importance with specific legal protection against damage or development.
- Burnt Mound 230m north east of Ffos
- Craig Ystradmeurig Round Cairn
- Cwm-Meurig-Isaf Mound and Bailey Castle
- Gareg-lwyd Defended Enclosure
- Llanwnnws Inscribed Stone in Church
- Nant Bryn Isaf Ring Cairn
- Pen y Ffrwd-Llwyd Camp
- St Ffraed’s Well, Cynhawdre
- Ystrad-Meurig Castle
The early history of this area has not been researched. The church of St John the Baptist was granted to the Knights Hospitaller in 1158 (Ludlow 1998). There is also a possible hospice site at Mynachdy, perhaps indicating that land was also included in the grant, although this place-name may refer to use of the site by the monks of Strata Florida Abbey – this part of the area may have lain within the grange of Mefenydd.
In 1113 Richard de Clare founded the castle of Ystradmeurig -one of only three stone castles in Ceredigion. It changed hands several times in its short life, before being demolished in 1207 (King 1956). It is unclear whether a settlement developed close to the church and/or castle in the Medieval Period.
A small group of substantial 18th and early 19th century stone built dwellings at Ystradmeurig and the foundation of a grammar school in the churchyard in 1803 testify to the growth of a community in the later post-Medieval Period.
Late 18th century estate maps (NLW Crosswood Vol 1, 62, 66) show a landscape broadly similar to that existing today, although at that time there appears to have been a slight difference in size between those fields close to farmsteads than those more distant – the closer fields generally being smaller and more irregular in shape. Presumably this is a reflection of the chronological sequence of enclosure, with the larger fields having been created at a later date in the late 18th century.
Much subdivision of the larger enclosures had occurred by the tithe survey (Spytty Ystrad Meurig Tithe Map and Apportionment, 1843) and the difference in enclosure size had largely been lost. Included in this area is the historic garden of Bron-meurig (Welsh Historic Gardens Database). In 1866, the Milford Manchester Railway, linking Tregaron with Aberystwyth was opened, with a station at Ystradmeurig. It closed in the 1960s.
Description and essential historic landscape components
This is an irregular-shaped landscape area situated on south and southwest-facing gentle slopes and has a height range of between 160m in the southeast and 230m in the north.
It consists of a system of irregular fields, with a settlement pattern of scattered farms and the village of Ystradmeurig and the hamlet of Tynyffordd.
Field boundaries are of earth banks topped with hedges. These hedges are in good condition on the lower levels, but become increasingly derelict at higher elevations, and are augmented with wire fences. At the highest levels around Mynachdy the earth banks are slight and the hedges have been replaced with wire. Improved pasture dominates land-use, with very little rougher grazing. There are some small stands of deciduous woodland.
Local stone is the principal, traditional building material. This is often roughly squared and coursed on houses and rubble on farm buildings, with surface treatment such as limewash, paint or cement. Slate is universally used on roofs.
Ystradmeurig village consists of a small cluster of buildings, with the listed late 19th century gothic church and an early 19th century gothic grammar school at its centre.
Houses here are 19th century and in the typical regional Georgian vernacular tradition. However, several of the houses have very strong Georgian traits, rather than the more usual mixture of Georgian vernacular, which gives a more formal appearance to the village than many others in the region.
Several of these houses are farms and have ranges of 19th century outbuildings set semi-formally around yards, Many of these outbuildings are not now used or have been converted to other uses. Modern agricultural buildings are not prominent component of this landscape. There is at least one modern house in the village.
Tynyffordd is a dispersed linear settlement consisting almost entirely of late 20th and early 21st century houses and bungalows. Other buildings scattered across the area comprise farms with mid-to-late 19th century houses and a late 19th century stone-built shop/house with brick detailing.
The recorded archaeology in the area is varied. Ystradmeurig Castle earthworks represent the major site in the area. Other definite or possible Medieval sites are described above. Artefacts of Iron Age and Bronze Age date suggest a greater time-depth to this landscape than is readily apparent from the surface evidence.
To the northeast and northwest the borders of this area are fairly well defined by unenclosed land or large enclosures. An area characterised by small enclosures bounded by dry-stone walls lies to the north. There is no clear demarcation between this area and the regular enclosures found in areas to the southeast and southwest. To the south is the clearly defined area of Cors Caron.
By Dyfed Archaeological Trust – Historic Landscape Characterisation of Ystrad Meurig
2. Map
View Larger Map of Ystrad Meurig
3. External links
- Coflein, discover the archaeology, historic buildings, monuments and history of Ystrad Meurig, Ceredigion
- Historic Place Names, learn about the field names and house names in the community of Ystrad Meurig
- A Pint of History, read about the history of Ceredigion pub’s, inn’s and local taverns of Ystrad Meurig
- People’s Collection Wales, share your stories, memories and photographs of Ystrad Meurig
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.
THE FAIRIES (TYLWYTH TEG)
(p110)
“THE LITTLE SERVANT BOY AND THE BARM.
The following story was related to me by Mrs. Davies, Bryneithyn, in the neighbourhood of Ystrad Meurig, where the tale is well-known:—
An old woman known as Nancy of Pen Gwndwn, kept a little boy servant, whom she sent one evening to the neighbouring village with a bottle to get some barm for her, and as he had to pass through a field which was frequented by the Fairies, he was told by the old woman to keep away from their circles or rings. The boy reached the village, got the barm, and in due time proceeded on his homeward journey, but did not reach home. Search was made for him in all directions, and people were able to trace his steps as far as the Fairies’ field, but no further, so it was evident that the Fairies had seized him. At the end of a year and a day, however, to the great surprise of everybody, the boy came home, entered the house, with the bottle of barm in hand, and handed it to the old woman as if nothing unusual had happened. The boy was greatly surprised when he was told that he had been away for twelve months and a day. Then he related how he fell in with the Fairies, whom he found such nice little men, and whose society was so agreeable that he lingered among them, as he thought, for a few minutes.”
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.
(p174)
“A SPIRIT ON HORSEBACK.
Rhosmeherin, in the neighbourhood of Ystrad Meurig, in Cardiganshire, was formerly well known for its ghost. An old man named John Jones, who lives at Pontrhydfendigaid, informed me that when a boy he heard of many belated persons who were terrified in passing the haunted spot by seeing a ghost which appeared sometimes in the shape of a cat, at other times as a man on horseback.
Mr. Jones also added that a poor old woman had been murdered there in the old times, which was supposed to account for the spot being haunted. I have heard several ghost stories in connection with this spot, but the best is the one which appeared in an interesting Welsh book entitled, “Ystraeon y Gwyll,” written by the late Mr. D. Lledrod Davies, a promising young man, and a candidate for Holy Orders, who died 20 years ago. Mr. Davies obtained the story from a person who had seen the ghost; so I give a translation of the Belated’s own words:—
“I was going home one evening from my work from Ros y Wlad, and had to go through Rhosmeherin. “That place, you know is a terrible spot for its ghosts. People say that they are seen there in broad daylight. As to myself I did not see them in the daytime, but many a time was I kept there all night by Jack-a-Lantern.
I saw a ghost in the form of a cat there also, and when I began to strike him he disappeared in a blazing fire. But now for the gentleman. I was near the spot where I had seen the cat, when I heard the sound of a horse coming after me. I jumped one side to make room for him to pass; but when he came opposite me he did not go forward a single pace faster than myself. When I went on slowly, he went slowly; when I went fast, he went fast. “Good night,” said I at last, but no answer. Then I said it was a very fine night, but the gentleman on horseback did not seem to take any notice of what I said. Then thinking that he might be an Englishman (the man was speaking in Welsh), I said in English “Good night,” but he took no notice of me still.
By this I was beginning to perspire and almost ready to fall down with fright, hoping to get rid of him, as I now perceived that he was the Devil himself appearing in the form of a gentleman. I could think from the sound of the saddle and the shining stirrups that the saddle was a new one. On we went along the dark narrow lane till we came to the turnpike road, when it became a little lighter, which gave me courage to turn my eyes to see what kind of a man he was. The horse looked like a soldier’s horse, a splendid one, and his feet like the feet of a calf, without any shoes under them, and the feet of the gentleman in the stirrups were also like the feet of a calf. My courage failed me to look what his head and body were like. On we went till we came to the cross-road. I had heard many a time that a ghost leaves everybody there. Well, to the cross road we came. But ah! I heard the sound of the ground as if it were going to rend, and the heavens going to fall upon my head; and in this sound I lost sight of him (the Spirit). How he went away I know not, nor the direction he went.””
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)
“SHAN AND THE GHOST.
About 35 years ago, there lived at Ynysfach, near Ystrad Meurig, an old man and an old woman known as “Shon and Shan.”
Shon was working in North Wales, for he was a quarryman at the time, but he came home occasionally to spend his holidays with his wife, especially about Christmas time.
On one occasion, however, when Shan expected her husband home the day before Christmas as usual, Shon came not. Nine o’clock in the evening she went out to meet him or to search for him and to prevent him spending his money on beer at a public house which his friend, a saddler kept at Tyngraig. But her husband was not at the public house, nor was he seen anywhere, so the old woman had to return home in disappointment. It was a cloudless moonlight night, almost as light as day, but the road was lonely and the hour late, and when she had walked some distance, to her great terror, she noticed a ghost in the field making his way nearer and nearer to her till at last the strange object came to the hedge on the roadside quite close to her. Frightened as she was, she struck the ghost with the strong walking-stick which she held in her hand, saying “D——l! thou shalt follow me no longer.”
When Shan struck the ghost her walking-stick went right through the head of the strange object, but she did not “feel” that it touched anything—It was like striking a fog; but the spirit vanished into nothing, and Shan walked on. The ghost was now invisible, but the old woman “felt” that it still followed her, though she could not see it; but when she was crossing a brook she became aware that her pursuer left her.”
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.
(p236)
“SHEEP KILLED BY AN OLD WITCH.
Mrs. Edwards, an old woman who lives at Yspytty Ystwyth, in Cardiganshire, informed me that she knew an old witch who lived in the neighbourhood of Ystrad Meurig. One day, this hag saw two shepherds passing her cottage on their way to the mountain with some sheep. The old woman espied one particular lamb and begged one of the shepherds to give the animal to her as a present, but the young man refused her request. “Very well,” said the witch, “thou wilt soon loose both the lamb and its mother, and thou shalt repent for thus refusing me.” Before reaching the end of the journey to the mountain, the sheep and her lamb died, and it was all put down to the hag’s account, for it was believed that she had witched them to death in revenge.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
WITCHES, WIZARDS, PROPHECIES, DIVINATION, DREAMS.
(p237)
“MILK THAT WOULD NOT CHURN AND THE WITCH.
Many believe, and some still believe, especially in Cardiganshire, that when milk would not churn that witches had cursed it. An old woman at Ystrad Meurig, who was supposed to be a witch, called one day at a farm house and begged for butter, but being refused she went away in a very bad temper. The next time they churned the milk would not turn to butter, and they had to throw it out as they were afraid of giving it to the pigs. When they were churning the second time again the milk would not turn to butter as usual. But instead of throwing out the milk as before, they went to the old woman and forced her to come to the farmhouse and undo her spell. She came and put her hand on the churn, and the milk successfully turned to butter. My informant was Mrs. Edwards, Ysbytty Ystwyth.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).
WITCHES, WIZARDS, PROPHECIES, DIVINATION, DREAMS.
(p245)
“MEN CHANGED INTO ANIMALS.
It is said that an old witch near Ystrad Meurig, in Cardiganshire, turned a servant man of a farm called Dolfawr, into a hare on one occasion; and into a horse on another occasion and rode him herself.”
From ‘Folk-Lore of West and Mid-Wales’ by J. Ceredig Davies (1911).