![Dolbeudiau-Dolyrychain](webphotos/dolbeudiaudolyrychain.jpg)
DOLBEUDIAU - DOLYRYCHAIN
GRID REFERENCE: SN 712659
AREA IN HECTARES: 124.7
Historic Background
In the Medieval Period this area lay within Strata Florida
Abbey’s Penardd Grange. As with other abbey granges it is likely
that by the end of the Medieval Period, if not earlier, Penardd had been
divided into farms that were leased out on a commercial basis. On the
Dissolution of the abbey its lands were granted to the Earl of Essex,
who subsequently sold them to the Crosswood estate in 1630. Crosswood
estate maps are the earliest large-scale cartographic representation of
the area. These maps of 1781 (NLW Crosswood Vol 1, 6 and 8) show a landscape
under change. The farms of Dolbeudiau, Brynhope and Dolyrychain were all
in existence, with each farm surrounded by a few, small fields separated
by open, unenclosed ground. By the tithe survey (Caron parish 1845) the
field system of today had been established - small- to medium-sized enclosures
covering the whole area. Although it would require further research to
substantiate, it is possible that the farms of this area were established
on unenclosed land on the fringes of Cors Caron in the late Medieval or
early modern period, in order to exploit the grazing and hay of the bog.
Description and essential historic landscape
characteristics
This area comprises a low undulating ridge between 160m
and 210m bordering the western side of Cors Caron. To the west and north
the land falls away rapidly to the bog, to the south and east more gentle
slopes fade into lower-lying farmland. Field patterning comprises small,
irregular enclosures close to the farms with more regular, medium-sized
enclosures further out, and large fields on the slope overlooking Cors
Caron. Boundaries are of banks of earth or stone-faced earth topped with
hedges. Hedges are in fair condition on the lower eastern slopes, but
elsewhere they are overgrown, neglected or derelict. Wire fences now provide
the main stock-proof barriers. Improved pasture dominates, with patches
of rougher, rushy ground in hollows. Apart from a small conifer plantation,
there are few trees.
The settlement pattern is of dispersed farmsteads. Farms
are slightly larger than average for the region. Local stone is the traditional
building material with slate (north Wales slate) used for roofs. Walls
are usually cement rendered on houses and left bare on traditional farm
buildings. Farmhouses/houses almost entirely date to the 19th century,
are of two storeys and in the typical Georgian vernacular style –
gable end chimneys, central front door, and two windows either side of
the door and one above. Most houses have stronger Georgian traits –
large windows, high rooms and a symmetrical plan/elevation – rather
than vernacular elements. Stone-built outbuildings consist of several
ranges set semi-formally around yards, although smaller buildings positioned
informally are present on smaller farms. Working farms have substantial
ranges of modern steel and concrete agricultural buildings.
The only recorded archaeology in this area consists of
a post-Medieval cottage.
This area is well defined by Cors Caron to the west and
north, but elsewhere, this area tends to merge with its neighbours.
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 |