Llanddew facts for kids
Llanddew is a small and historic village located in Powys, Wales. It's about 2 kilometers (or 1 mile) north-east of the town of Brecon. In 2011, about 232 people lived here. Llanddew is part of the old county known as Brecknockshire (or Breconshire). Even though it's small, Llanddew has a rich past, especially connected to important religious leaders and ancient buildings.
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Discovering Llanddew's Past
Llanddew has a long history, especially linked to the Bishops of Saint Davids. A "bishop" is a high-ranking leader in the Christian church. For many years, the land and village of Llanddew were part of their "manor." A manor was like a large estate, often owned by a lord or, in this case, a bishop.
The Bishop's Palace Ruins
The Bishops of Saint Davids once had a grand home right here in Llanddew. This home was called the Bishop's Palace. Today, you can still see some of its ruins. These ruins give us a peek into what life was like hundreds of years ago. One special part of the ruins is a unique well. It's called Bishop Gower's Well, named after a bishop who lived a long time ago. This well has a special vaulted, or arched, design on both sides.
Famous Visitors and Residents
The Bishop's Palace in Llanddew was a favorite place for a very famous person named Giraldus Cambrensis (Gerald of Wales). He was a clergyman and writer who lived in the 12th and 13th centuries. He wrote many important books about Wales and its history.
In 1188, another very important visitor came to Llanddew. This was Baldwin of Exeter, who was the Archbishop of Canterbury. The Archbishop of Canterbury is the most senior bishop in the Church of England. He was traveling through Wales on a special mission. His goal was to encourage people to join the Crusades. The Crusades were a series of religious wars fought in the Middle Ages.
St David's Church: An Ancient Landmark
Llanddew is also home to St David's Church, Llanddew. This church is incredibly old, making it the oldest church in the historic county of Brecknockshire. The main building of the church dates back to around the 13th century. It has a special shape called a "cruciform" shape, which means it looks like a cross from above. It also has a tower right in the middle.
Long ago, there were even more buildings around the church. These were "monastic buildings," where monks lived and worked. Monks are members of a religious community. From Llanddew, these monks would travel around the local area. They would preach, sharing their religious teachings, and give communion, which is a Christian religious ceremony. The church and its history show how important Llanddew was as a religious center many centuries ago.
