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Many villages have a pub and a church near their historic
centre. Llantwit is no exception. Indeed, it has several of each having
grown considerably over the centuries. |
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There's a delightfully traditional butchers shop just
around the corner. I've often seen a Morris Minor Traveller outside, but not
today. |
| St Illtyd Church has a long history. It has been a house
of worship for almost 1500 years. In 1777 John Wesley described it as "the
most beautiful church in Wales". |
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llltyd came here and, by the side of the Ogney
Brook, established a church, monastery and school. It also became the burial
place of local kings and an important mission centre. |
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It also contains one of the most
significant collections of Celtic stones in Wales. |
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It surprised me how large and interesting it is. Part is
in ruins, but there is still much left to see. |
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A sea breeze giving life to the Union Jack. |
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The open land right in the heart of the
village adds atmosphere and enhances the setting of St Illtyds. |
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From the church, looking North East. |
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The Ogney Brook. |
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The beach at Llantwit is either giant slabs
of limestone or huge pebbles. Either way, its fun for kids to explore. |
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Twenty minutes walk, or so from the beach
and you are on the cliff tops enjoying the flora and fauna with a backdrop
of crashing waves. |
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Tresilian Bay is a mile or so along the coast |
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Across the stony beach and down towards the sea... |
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...and you come into quite a large cave. |
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There is a story attached to this cave. When I have the
details, I will post them here. |
An e-mail from Sylvia Russell filled me in
on a story concerning Tresilian Bay. She tells me that it is named
after Prince Silian who is reputed to have "kept court" there in the
3rd and 4th centuries. He was one of the first pagans to be converted
to Christianity, who after his death became a saint. St Silian's
court was later replaced by an inn which was a favourite meeting place
for smugglers and wreckers.
The cave was used by smugglers and is
believed to have a tunnel which led to St Donat's Castle.
Sir Henry Stradling who is buried in the
crypt under the chapel of St Donat's is reputed to have been a
smuggler. Apparently on one of his many voyages, his ship was
scuttled and left to sink with crew and cargo aboard. He was taken
captive and held to ransom. It was many months before the Stradling
family paid a huge ransom for his release, but he never forgot the
indignities he suffered at the pirates' hands.
A long time later, he saw a strange ship
in the bay and a solitary pirate standing on the shore.
He had him arrested and taken captive.
The ship eventually sailed off without him and by an ironic twist of
fate, the captive turned out to be the very one who had captured him
and murdered his men. For revenge the prisoner was taken to the mouth
of the cave and made to watch as a deep hole was dug. Then he was
buried up to his neck and left to watch the sea coming nearer and
nearer until it eventually engulfed him. To this day it is said that
whenever a winter wind blows in from the sea, you can hear the shrill
cries of fright and despair echoing through Tresilian cave.
A chilling story that tells of harder
times and the rough justice that was metered out...
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Received from e-mail land in early October 2004:
'I stumbled across
your site while researching my family history. I am a descendant of
the Stradling family (via Cadogans & Bantings). I know relatively
little about this branch of the family and was delighted to find your
description of Henry Stradling’s pirate encounter.
You mentioned that
this story came from Sylvia Russell. Did she mention which Henry
Stradling it was? I am related to Sir Henry Harry Stradling (abt
1430-1451) who died in Cyprus. I imagine this is not the same Henry
as the story, but thought I should check. If you have date to
identify which Henry this was, please let me know. If not, would you
pass my request along to Ms. Russell? Thank you for sharing some
family lore.'
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Edmund Feingold |
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 A
panoramic view of the Bay.More
panoramic pictures can be seen
here. |
