Author: merthyr.history@gmail.com

Tydfil’s Siblings – part 2

We continue our look at St Tydfil’s family with a list of her sisters, again kindly provided by Carl Llewellyn.

GWLADYS. The wife of Gwynllyw Uilwy ab Glywys of Glywyseg in Monmouthshire, and the mother of Cattwg.

St Gwladys. Courtesy of David Nash Ford. http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/gwladys.html

ARIANWEN. The wife of Iorwerth Hirflawdd of Powys, and the mother of Caenawg Mawr.

TANGLWST. The wife of Cyngen, and mother of Brochwael Ysgythrog, Maig and Ieuau. She was believed to have lived at Ynysygored where the nearby name of Hafod Tanglwst still survives.

MECHELL. The wife of Gynyr of Gaer Gawch.

NEFYN. The wife of Cynfarch Oer and mother of Urien Rheged. She was the founder of the church of Nefyn in Lleyn, Caernarfonshire.

GWAWR. The wife of Elidr Lydanwyn and mother of Llywarch Hen.

GWRGON. The wife of Cadrod Calchfynydd.

ELERI. The wife of Ceredig ab Cunedda and mother of Sandde, the father of St David.

LLEIAN. The wife of Gafran ab Dyfnal Hen, and mother of Aeddan Fradawg. She fled with her son after his defeat at the Battle of Arderydd to the Isle of Man. She is believed to have founded Capel Llanlleian in Carmarthen.

NEFYDD. The wife of Tudwal Berr. She is said to have been a saint at Llech Gelyddon.

RHEINGAR. Said to have been a saint at Llech, Maelienydd (Radnorshire).

GOLEUDDYDD. Founded a church in the lost community of Llanysgin in Gwent.

GWENDDYDD. The wife of Cadell Deyrnllwg and mother of St Cyngen. She was buried at Towyn, Merionethshire.

TYDIAN. A saint who lived at Capel Ogwr (Ogmore Chapel) which formerly existed in the Parish of St Bride’s Major.

ELUNED. Also known as Elevetha, Almedha or Aled. She was dedicated to religion, and refused the hand of a young prince who wished to marry her. She was murdered near Brecon on a hill called Penginger, where a church was later built and dedicated to her.

St Eluned

CEINDRYCH. Lived at Llandewyn, Merionethshire.

GWEN. The wife of Llyr Merini and mother of Caradawg Freigfras. She founded the church at Talgarth, where she was murdered by the Saxons.

St Gwen. Courtesy of David Nash Ford. http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/wennabg.html

CENEDLON. Also known as Cenai the Virgin. She lived at Emlyn in Cardiganshire.

CYMORTH. The wife of Brynach Wyddel.

CLYDAI. Lived with her sister Cymorth. She founded the church of Clydai in Pembrokeshire.

DWYNWEN. She founded the church of Llanddwynwen in Anglesey, and is considered by Welsh bards as the patron saint of lovers.

St Dwynwen

CEINWEN. She founded the churches of Llangeinwen and Cerfig Ceinwen in Anglesey.

ENFAIL. She was murdered at a place called Merthyr Enfail in Carmarthenshire.

TYDFIL.

HAWYSTYL. She founded the church of Llanhawystyl in Gloucester.

TYBIAN. She was murdered by the Saxons at Llandybie in Carmarthenshire. There is now a church dedicated to her there.

Tydfil’s Siblings – part 1

One of the earliest posts on this blog was about St Tydfil. In that post it was stated that Brychan Brycheiniog, Tydfil’s father, had 24 sons and 25 daughters. As is usual with of this period of history, accounts vary, but  local historian Carl Llewellyn has provided a list of Brychan’s children based on the best sources available. We start with Brychan’s sons:

CYNOG. A saint of the Fifth Century, he was the reputed son of Brychan by Banadlwedd, the daughter of Banadle of Banadla Powis. Soon after his birth he was put in the care of a holy man named Gastayn. He was murdered by pagans on a mountain called the Van in Breconshire, where a church in memory of his martyrdom was erected over his grave and called Merthyr Cynog.

St Cynog. Courtesy of David Nash Ford. http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/cynog.html

CLEDWYN. He embraced a military life and distinguished himself by expelling the Scottish Picts who had taken possession of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire. Cledwyn succeeded his father governing Breconshire.

DINGAD. He founded the churches of Llandingad in Carmerthenshire and Monmouthshire (where he is buried).

ARTHEN. There was once a church dedicated to him in Gwaenllwg, Monmouthshire which was demolished by the Saxons. The hill near Llandovery called Cefnarthen is named after him. He is buried in the Isle of Man.

CYFLEFYR. He is recognised as a son of Brychan, but some sources say he is actually the son of Dingad, and therefore Brychan’s grandson. He was murdered by the Saxons at a place called Merthyr Cyfefyr.

RHAIN. He became a soldier and took over the eastern part of his father’s lands. He was murdered by the Saxons and was buried at Llanfaelog Fach near Brecon.

DYFNAN. He founded the church at Llanddyfnan in Anglesey and was buried there.

GERWYN. He settled in Cornwall and was killed in the Isle of Gerwyn.

CADOG. Some sources say he was actually the grandson of Brychan. He was the founder of several churches and died in 490AD in France.

MATHAIRN. He was buried in Ceredigion.

PASGEN. Son of Brychan by Peresgri of Spain. Lived and died in Spain.

NEFAI. As above

PABIALI. As above

LLECHAU. He founded the church of Llanlechau in Ewyas in Herefordshire.

CYNBRYD. He founded the church of Llandulas near Abergele. He was murdered by the Saxons at Blwch Cynbryd.

CYNFRAN. He was the founder of the church of Llysfraen in Caernarfonshire.

HYCHAN. He founded the church of Llancychan in Clwyd.

DYFRIG. (Also known as Dubricious) He founded a college at Henllan on the River Wye. He was consecrated in 470AD, and became Archbishop of Caerleon in 490. He founded a college at Caerleon, and in 519 he crowned King Arthur. Upon retirement he moved to a monastery in Bardsey where he died in 522. In 1120, his body was moved from Bardsey and re-buried at Llandaff Cathedral.

St Dyfrig. Courtesy of David Nash Ford. http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/dyfrig.html

CYNIN. He founded the church of Llangynin near St Clears, Carmarthenshire.

DOGFAN. He was murdered by the Saxons at Merthyr Dogfan in Pembrokeshire, and achurch was erected in his memory. He is also the patron saint of Llanrhaeadr ym Mochnant in Denbighshire.

RHAWIN. He settled in the Isle of Man where there was a church dedicated to him. He later returned to Wales and was murdered with his brother Rhun at Pontyrhun, Troedyrhiw by the group of Saxons who went on to murder Brychan and Tydfil.

RHUN. See above

St Rhun. Courtesy of David Nash Ford. http://www.earlybritishkingdoms.com/bios/rheindbg.html

CLEDOG. He founded the church of Clodock in Herefordshire where he was buried.

CAIAN. He was the founder of the church of Tregaian in Anglesey.

To be continued…..

Merthyr’s Boxers: Billy Eynon

The next boxer we are going to look at is Billy Eynon. Many thanks to Gareth Jones for his assistance and advice in writing this article.

Billy Eynon was born on 26 December 1893 in Treharris. As a teenager he was lured into fighting at the infamous fairground boxing booths at Georgetown. In his excellent book ‘The Boxers of Wales: Volume 2 – Merthyr, Aberdare and Pontypridd’, Gareth Jones relates the story of how he was tempted to fight at Jack Scarrott’s booth on the promise of winning five shillings. When he went to collect his winnings however, he was told by Scarrott that his cornermen (both of course employed by Scarrott) were both entitled to two shillings each, leaving the young Billy with just a shilling!

Eynon made such an impression however, that Scarrott offered him a week’s work at Brecon Fair. This was eventually extended to six-months, and provided Billy with invaluable experience.

Eynon’s first ‘legitimate’ fight took place on 31 January 1914 at the Drill Hall in Merthyr. The headline fight that night was between Eddie Morgan (see previous entry – http://www.merthyr-history.com/?p=592) and Tommy Phillips, which Morgan lost on points. The local crowd were appeased somewhat when Billy Eynon defeated Dick Jenkins in his debut match.

He was beginning to consolidate his reputation when the First World War broke out. Eynon joined the Royal Artillery, and despite being wounded in France, carried on boxing. He won the Army featherweight title in 1918 and met the Navy champion in Salonika before a crowd estimated at 200,000 people.

Western Mail – 19 May 1916

Following the war, Eynon, now boxing as a flyweight, appeared in his first fight against Kid Doyle at the Olympia Rink in Merthyr, a match which he won. The victory earned Eynon a rematch at the National Sporting Club in a fight which would be an elimination fight for the British title. Eynon lost the fight on points.

Soon after this, Billy Eynon changed weight-divisions to become a bantam-weight, and in 1920 challenged again for the British title. On 18 October he beat George Clark on points to earn a fight against the reigning British bantam-weight title holder Jim Higgins.

On 29 November 1920, Eynon faced Jim Higgins at the National Sporting Club. The fight would prove to be a controversial one. Eynon, hampered by weight difficulties was forced, on the day of the fight, to undertake vigorous exercises and have a Turkish bath to try to reduce his weight, whilst his opponent rested and prepared for the match. An exhausted Eynon took to the ring and although he acquitted himself well, the match went to Higgins on points. Many in the crowd, including the Prince of Wales, disagreed with the decision and vented their frustration by throwing gold sovereigns into the ring for Eynon. Although he lost the fight, Eynon himself said he made far more money that night than his opponent!

Billy Eynon carried on boxing for several years, but in 1927, he was forced to give up the sport due to a detached retina and the risk of blindness. In 1928 a boxing tournament was held in Merthyr to raise money to help for him.

Billy Eynon lived out the rest of his days in Merthyr and died in 1980.

Looking back….and forward

Hello everyone.

It’s been almost a year since I took over running this blog, and despite the blind terror over the technical side of things, I have enjoyed doing it.

I would like to thank everyone who has made donations to allow this site to continue – a special thanks to The Merthyr Tydfil Historical Society for their generous donation. I would also like to thank everyone who has contributed articles to the blog – it is really great to receive articles about things that I might not have the time, or indeed the idea of writing….. besides which, there are time when my brain ceases function and I run out of ideas altogether!!!!

I hope to continue in the same vein during the forthcoming year. I really appreciate your feedback, so please keep it coming, and if anyone has any ideas for the blog please let me know.

Most importantly, if anyone has anything to contribute – please get in touch. I’m sure there are many established, as well as budding historians who could really enhance this blog with their articles.

Please – get your thinking caps on and get writing!!!!!

Boxing Day in Merthyr

The report from the South Wales Daily News transcribed below describes some of the events taking place in Merthyr 124 years ago today.

On Boxing Day the weather was dull, and the streets dirty. There were however, many visitors to the town.

The repetition at the Drill Hall by the Merthyr Choral Society of the oratorio Elijah, under the able conduct of Mr Dan Davies, attracted much attention. At the Temperance Hall Mr Hermann Vezin and Company’s dramatic performances were continued. Mr Vezin has been engaged for the whole or the week.

An entertainment at the workhouse was given as usual under the direction of Mr J. W. Morgan, Hirwain. Mr Harris, an Aberdare guardian, occupied the chair, and the body of the hall was crowded with the inmates. Some visitors also were present. The performances of the Merthyr Christy Minstrels, including whistling by Davies formed a special feature in the varied programme. Able assistance was rendered by Miss Rosie Beynon (who sang “In Old Madrid”), Mr W. Meredith, solicitor (comique), Mr Morris, and several others, Miss Wilkins playing the pianoforte accompaniments. Mr Thos. Morris, C.C., Cefn, and Mr Dan. Thomas as, guardians, were present.

Among the incidents of the day it may be mentioned, a child was found in the streets and taken to the workhouse, and in the roadway, opposite the Nelson Inn, a boy was run over and severely injured.

South Wales Daily News – 27 Decemeber 1893

Christmas 1945

by Laura Bray

The following is an extract of a letter written by my grandmother, 72 years ago today, to her son who was still on service with the Navy. She regularly attended Christ Church, Cyfarthfa, which she talks about in the letter. The vicar in question was Rev Vivian Thomas who was at Cyfarthfa Church from 1937 until 1948.

Christ Church, Cyfarthfa

Merthyr Tydfil
23 December 1945

“Christmas is the day after tomorrow…..It is a happier Christmas in many ways than we have had for the last six years.  The cloud is lifted.  There is no fear. But for ease of living I suppose things are worse than they have been at all at there is no evidence that they will be any better for a very long time.  We shall be paying off our debt to America for generations.

…Vicar got up a carol service this Sunday evening like the one in King’s. Nine lessons by different members of the choir with a carol sung between each.  Two Choir boys read lessons and four of the choir men….

Vicar had a brainwave.  He would have two Christmas trees in church, decorated and lit.  He appealed to the congregation to give him decorations.  But there are none left…..when I went up yesterday to decorate the font he was down in the depths.  His enthusiasm was petering out.  The trees that came were too big. They had had no end of trouble to get them in place. There were no decorations. People wouldn’t lend any and none could be bought.  And he could see he had had the idea the wrong year.  He should have waited until things were normal again etc etc.

We found at home long stands of tinsel – tarnished but whole – and took them up.  I bought silver paper in town and drew a star on paper, a foot across.  We cut it out in stiff cardboard and stuck the silver paper on.  It made two grand stars.  We made two tiny holes and pushed wire through and they were at the very top of the tress and looked well.  In the dark, before the lights were put on, it looked as if it were a star hanging up in the sky.  Vicar had an electrician up who wired one tree for lights, and he put a floodlight to light up the tree.  Only one.  The other tree was against the pillar just beyond the font.  The electrician came to me (I was decorating the font) for cotton wool with which to decorate the tree.  It looks really well……

After the (Carol) service, the whole choir went to the hospital and gave a concert of carols.  They went to six wards….by the end of the tour even those members of the choir who didn’t attend many choir practises, began to know them.

The sideboard is beginning to assume a Christmassy aspect, cards everywhere and oranges and apples.  Think of it.  G told me some time ago that he would see I had oranges and apples for Christmas; though for their business this was going to be the leanest winter of the war.  It is too.  The powers that be purposely arranged that there should be an allocation the week before Christmas.  To keep up our morale, no doubt”

My grandmother next writes on 29 December, when she describes Christmas Day and Boxing Day , shared with family and friends.  The house had  “Usual decorations, a holly wreath tied with red ribbon over the fireplace, the long string of separate letters from the mantlepiece…mistletoe over the hall arch, holly behind every picture…yellow chrysanths in one table vase and holly in the other…best china and linen and a nice big fire ….. on both days your photograph in a silver frame was on the table for meals and there was talk of you all day long”.

It may have been the first Christmas of peace but in many ways it was also the last Christmas of war, when families were still apart, loved and missed.

How different is her description of 1945 from Christmases today.