Llanymddyfri : Llandovery - Carmarthenshire, Wales.
N 51° 59.609 W 003° 47.801
30U E 445299 N 5760613
Histoic information in the form of a Timeline, relevant to the small market Town of Llandovery (Welsh: Llanymddyfri). Displayed on a bilingual information plaque located near the Castle, in the center of town, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales.
Waymark Code: WMVK37
Location: South Wales, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 04/27/2017
Views: 0
The metal historic marker fixed to a stone wall in a small courtyard, within sight of the Castle.
The sign gives details of the Town timeline from Roman times, the Norman invasion & the building of the castle in 1110AD, the battles with the English kings in the 14th Century. Then the cattle drovers, then modern events up to 2007
Roman legacy
"The Roman fort at Llanfair Hill to the northeast of the modern town around was known to the Romans as Alabum. It was built around AD 50 to 60 as part of their strategy for the conquest of Wales. A Roman road heads across Mynydd Bach Trecastell to the southeast of Llandovery bound for the fort of Brecon Gaer. Another heads down the Towy valley for Carmarthen whilst a third makes for the goldmines at Dolaucothi.
Norman and medieval castle.
Llandovery Castle, Carmarthenshire by Gastineau, Henry G., 1830?
Attractions in the town include the remains of Llandovery Castle, built in 1110 and almost immediately captured by the Welsh, changing hands between Normans and Welsh until the reign of King Edward I of England. The castle was used by King Henry IV while on a sortie into Wales when he executed Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan in the marketplace. It was later attacked by the forces of Owain Glyndwr in 1403.
Welsh hero
A 16-foot (4.9 m) high stainless steel statue to Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan was unveiled in 2001 on the north side of Llandovery Castle, overlooking the place of his execution six hundred years earlier. He had led the army of King Henry IV on 'a wild goose chase' under the pretence of leading them to a secret rebel camp and an ambush of Glyndwr's forces. King Henry lost patience with him, exposed the charade and had him half hanged, disemboweled in front of his own eyes, beheaded and quartered - the quarters salted and dispatched to other Welsh towns for public display.
The statue won a national competition to choose a suitable design, the winner being that of Toby and Gideon Petersen. It was funded by the National Lottery and the Arts Council of Wales.
Other historical interest
The Physicians of Myddfai practised in the area.
Llandovery is also the place where one of the first independent Welsh banks, The Black Ox, was established by a wealthy drover (later to become part of Lloyds TSB bank). The building is part of the King's Head inn which was the home of The Bank of the Black Ox.
The Norman medieval castle is one of the featured attractions in the town of Llandovery. This old Castle built by the Normans in 1110 and almost immediately captured by the Welsh, changing hands between Normans and Welsh until the reign of King Edward I of England. The castle was used by King Henry IV while on a sortie into Wales when he executed Llywelyn ap Gruffydd Fychan in Llandovery marketplace. It was later attacked by the forces of Owain Glyndwr the Welsh Prince in 1403 the aging stronghold was slighted and rendered completely useless." Text Sources: (
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