![Brignant](webphotos/brignant.jpg)
BRIGNANT
GRID REFERENCE: SN 755752
AREA IN HECTARES: 708.6
Historic Background
Part of Strata Florida Abbey’s upland grange of
Cwmystwyth in the Medieval Period, this area was not acquired by the Crosswood
estate in 1630 as were the majority of granges, but was purchased by the
Herberts (Morgan 1991), and possibly other individuals. A document of
1545-50 cited by Morgan (1991) drawn up at the Dissolution of Strata Florida
suggests that the grange was then divided into farms that were leased
out and farmed on an individual and commercial basis. Prignant and Pantycraf
are two farms in this area listed in the 1545-50 document. By the early
19th century all of the land in this area fell into the Hafod estate.
Thomas Johnes of Hafod had either inherited the land originally purchased
by the Herberts, or had recently purchased or acquired it through exchange.
An 1834 estate map of Hafod shows all properties, including lands then
just gained by the Hafod estate. The map records several farms across
the area, some of which such as Prignant are at high altitudes, but clearly
shows that apart from one or two small enclosures close to farmsteads,
the land was either unenclosed or divided into very large enclosures.
The 19th and 20th centuries have witnessed a gradual retreat of settlement
and enclosure. Small conifer plantations are now established in the area.
Lead mining - Bodcoll mine - was established in the mid 18th century,
and was active throughout the 19th century (Bick 1983, 30).
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This is an area of mostly unenclosed and craggy upland
with a height range of 270m - 450m. On the lower slopes improved grazing
prevails, giving way to rough grazing and bracken on higher ground. Peaty
and rushy hollows are common. Earth banks were the main boundary type,
and still are in use on some of the lower slopes where they are supplemented
by wire fences. Some derelict hedges are also present here. On higher
slopes the ground is essentially unenclosed in character, though divided
by wire fences. Apart from 20th century forestry this is essentially a
treeless landscape. Evidence of mining consists of spoil heaps, levels
and shafts, mostly at the extreme east of the area.
The recorded archaeology of this area comprises mostly
post-Medieval sites. Metal mines and quarries are common features of the
landscape, but more numerous are the deserted settlements. The distribution
of these deserted settlements indicates a populated (albeit somewhat sparsely)
area through to the 19th century. A possible monastic establishment -
Bwlch-yr-Oerfa - and a possible Bronze Age standing stone, provide time-depth
to the landscape.
This is a well-defined area. To the south lies the Ystwyth
valley and the much afforested area of the Hafod estate. Modern forestry
borders the area to the east. To the north is the village of Devil’s
Bridge (Pontarfynach), and the lower-lying squatter settlement of Rhos-y-gell
lies to the west.
Base map reproduced from the OS map with the permission
of Ordnance Survey on behalf of The Controller of Her Majesty's Stationery
Office, © Crown Copyright 2001.
All rights reserved. Unauthorised reproduction infringes Crown Copyright
and may lead to prosecution or civil proceedings. Licence Number: GD272221 |