Llantrisant, Glamorgan

Description
Llantrisant, a small town and a parish in Glamorgan. The town stands on a hill-range above the river Ely, 5 miles S of Pontypridd, 8 N of Cowbridge, 10 NE of Bridgend, and 11 NW by W of Cardiff. It commands an extensive prospect of the vale of Glamorgan; presents a picturesque appearance; was chartered by Edward III.; had a corporation which was abolished in 1883; unites with Cardiff and Cowbridge in sending a member to the House of Commons; is a seat of petty sessions; and has a post, money order, and telegraph office under Pontyclun (R.S.O.), a station on the G.W.R. and TaffVale railway, a vestige of an ancient castle, a town-hall, and a police station. The castle dates from the time of Edward I., does not make any figure in history, and now possesses interest only for the charming views which it commands. The church is dedicated to St Tyfodwg, St Illtyd, and St Gwynno, whence its name Llan-tri-sant, "the church of the three saints," and is spacious and good. The tower is Perpendicular, the font and some small portions of the nave Norman. There are Congregational, Baptist, Cal-vinistic Methodist, Wesleyan, and Bible Christian chapels. A weekly market was formerly held on Friday, but has been discontinued; fairs are held on 13 Feb., 12 May, 12 Aug., and 29 Oct.; and trade is carried on in connection with neighbouring mines and mineral works. Population, 1937.

The parish contains also the villages of Dinas, Gilfach Goch, Tonyrefail, Bryn Sadler, Crossvane, Miskin, Talygarn, and part of Pontypridd. Acreage, 17,060; population, 19,702. The manor belongs to the Marquis of Bute. Castellan House belonged formerly to the Treheme family. Miskin Manor and Talygarn House are chief residences. Iron and lead ores abound. Traces exist of ancient British camps. The living is a vicarage in the diocese of Llandaff; net value, £246 with residence. Patron, the Bishop of Llandaff. There is a chapel of ease called St John the Baptist at Tonyrefail, and another at Talygarn, also churches at Llanfair-ar-y-bryn (Welsh), Dinas Isaf (English), an iron church at Miskin, and mission rooms at Bryneirw Pwllgwaun. Sir L. Jenkins, the judge and secretary of state, was a native.