Cefnllys
Cefnllys was a medieval town[1] in Radnorshire (now part of Powys) in central Wales. Only St Michael's Church remains standing, with mounds indicating the remains of other buildings existing before the decline of the town in the 19th century. Close by on the hill known as Castle Rock are the remains of what is known as Cefnllys Castle. Almost encircling the hill, church and remains of the town is the River Ithon which continues to Llandrindod Wells a little over a mile away.
The 'castle' was actually two, built one after the other at opposite ends of the hill by the English lord Roger Mortimer of Wigmore during his battles with Llywelyn ap Gruffudd, Prince of Wales, for the cantref of Maelienydd. The first, at the north end, was built in 1242 and ruined in 1262 by Llywelyn. The second, at the south end, was built in 1268 and survived Llywelyn's death, but was sacked by Cynan ap Maredudd during the revolt of Madog ap Llywelyn in 1294–5. It was ruined by 1588.
Cefnllys was a contributory borough to the Radnor Boroughs constituency in the English and British parliament from the Laws in Wales Act 1542 until the Redistribution of Seats Act 1885 In 1831 it comprised, besides the castle ruins, "three Farm Houses and one small Cottage".[2]
References
- Diocese of Swansea and Brecon website Archived 2007-09-28 at the Wayback Machine
- Commissioners on proposed division of counties and boundaries of boroughs (20 January 1832). "Vol. IV — Part II; Radnor District: Cefn-Llys". Parliamentary representation; further return to an address to His Majesty, dated 12 December, 1831; for copies of instructions given by the Secretary of State for the Home department with reference to Parliamentary representation; likewise copies of letters of reports received by the Secretary of state for the Home department in answer to such instructions. Parliamentary papers. 1831–32 HC xli (141) 1.; and enclosed Map of the Borough of Cefnllys
