![RHYDPERERINION](webphotos/rhydpererinion.jpg)
RHYDPERERINION
GRID REFERENCE: SN 719761
AREA IN HECTARES: 252.6
Historic Background
As with neighbouring areas the early history of this
area has not been investigated, and little is known. However, unlike some
of its neighbouring areas, it was not part of a grange of Strata Florida
Abbey. By the 18th century it was divided between the estates of Crosswood
and Nanteos. Early 19th century estate maps (NLW Vol 45; 30, 31) show
a landscape of scattered farms, each surrounded by small fields, with
larger enclosures and unenclosed sheep-walk further out. Apart from some
sub-division of the larger fields and enclosure of parts of the sheep-walk,
this pattern had changed little by the time of the tithe survey of 1847.
Gradually over the remainder of the 19th century the remaining unenclosed
land was converted into fields.
![RHYDPERERINION](webphotos/rhydpererinion2.jpg)
Description and essential historic landscape
components
This is an undulating plateau area ranging in height
from 270m to 290m. Most of the ground now comprises improved grazing,
but there are peaty hollows and rougher grazing on steep slopes. All the
land is enclosed or has been subjected to enclosure, but fields on the
higher slopes and summits now tend to be farmed as large units sub-divided
by wire fences. Some of these fences follow the course of old, low earth
banks. On lower ground small irregular fields divided by earth banks are
present. Hedges that top the banks are generally in poor condition, overgrown,
rarely stock-proof and supplemented by wire. As a general rule, the closer
to the farmhouse, the better the condition of the hedge.
Dispersed dwellings, but with a closer grouping than
that found in the area to the south, characterise the settlement pattern
of this area. There are small, loose settlement clusters at Mynydd Bach
and Capel Trisant. Traditional buildings are stone built with slate roofs.
Walls on houses are either cement rendered, bare stone or painted, and
bare stone on farm outbuildings. Houses, including farmhouses, are small
and almost entirely date to the mid-to-late 19th century. They 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. Vernacular traits such as low eaves, small windows and
one chimney larger than the other are more common than more formal Georgian
elements. Two or three houses are strongly vernacular. Stone-built outbuildings
are generally confined to one or two small ranges, with some attached
and in-line to the house. Several farms are no longer working. Working
farms have small ranges of modern agricultural buildings. A small listed
chapel is at Trisant. There are a few modern houses and bungalows.
Stone quarrying has been carried out in this area, and
along the southern boundary are the remains of lead mining activities
associated with Frongoch mine.
The recorded archaeology in this area is not diverse,
and consists of post-Medieval sites, houses and cottages and minor industrial
remains.
This is not a particularly well defined historic landscape
area. Areas to the south and north are characterised by a more dispersed
settlement pattern and larger field patterning. Frongoch also contains
distinctive mining remains. To the east, poorer-quality, lower-lying ground
contains a squatter settlement.
![RHYDPERERINION MAP](webphotos/rhydperinionmap.jpg)
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 |