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Llandeilo Archaeology & History
Medieval
During medieval times, we have our first true detailed historic record of life and society in the Llandeilo area. There are many sources that gives an insight into the life of the secular lords of Dinefwr, who were engaged in almost two centuries of military struggle against Anglo-Norman invaders from the early 12 th century until their eventual defeat in the late 13 th century. The family of the Princes and Lords of Dinefwr included many of the great figures of our history. These include Rhys ap Gruffudd (The Lord Rhys) who stopped the Norman advance during the second half of the 12 th century , his mother Gwenllian who fell on the field of battle attacking Kidwelly Castle. Later, Sir Rhys ap Thomas came to prominence as one of the key supporters of Henry Tudor, and his family tradition held that he had personally slain Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth. Known as "Father Rhys" at the early Tudor court, he is renowned for holding the last great tournament of medieval times, at his castle in Carew, Pembrokeshire.
Llandeilo Fawr and the commote of Llandeilo (Maenordeilo), at the heart of the territories of the early medieval monastic community at Llandeilo, had become possessions of the Lord Bishop of St Davids by medieval times. The Lord Rhys had granted the churches of Llandeilo and Llandyfeisant to the Premonstratensian Abbey of Talley in the 12 th century, but from the 13 th century Talley was very much a tenant to the Bishop of St Davids. In 1239 St Davids had won their claim of ownership to the church and lands of Llandeilo and the Abbot of Talley had to pay an annual rent to the Bishop for use of Llandeilo.
A fascinating insight into life in the area during the 14 th century is revealed in the Black Book of St Davids, which lists the duties of the tenants of the estates of the Lord Bishop of St Davids. Amongst these estates were the Borough of Llandeilo, the Patria or Country of Llandeilo and the Patria of Llandyfeisant.
What is clear from these sources is that medieval Llandeilo was not one settlement, under the authority of one ruler. Instead, there was a clear division between the lands of the Lord Bishop, which included the town of Llandeilo Fawr and its surrounding countryside, and the lands of Dinefwr, which included the borough town of Dinefwr and, by the 14 th century, a second borough town called Newton. In reality, the medieval history of Llandeilo is the tale of three towns, not one, and each is deserving of attention in its own right.
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