The town of Llantrisant is seen as the oldest town
in the Ely Valley. It's history, unlike the majority of
Rhondda Cynon Taf's towns and villages, extends back several
centuries beyond the beginning of the Industrial Revolution.
Commanding extensive views over the Vale of Glamorgan,
the town was built on the crest of a hill. It wouldn't be unreasonable
to believe that a Celtic community existed here, at least
as early as the 7th century, if not as far back as the
Roman invasion, given the legion's interest in neighbouring
lands. Certainly with its remarkable vantage point, owing
to its elevation between the conquered vale and the barren
mountain terrain of the north, Llantrisant became one of the most strategically
important Norman strongholds in South Wales.
Right: The Square - Llantrisant showing
the statue of Dr.William Price
The first Norman castle was possibly completed sometime
between 1096 and 1100. As well as being strategically placed,
one of its most important functions was to offer protection
for a community of smallholdings accompanied by a parish
church. The Norman Church was dedicated by missionaries
of Llantwit Major to saints Illtyd, Gwynno and Dyfodwg
giving the town its present name of Church of the Three
Saints. It was later rebuilt sometime around 1246 when
the neighbouring castle was also fortified.
Left: Llantrisant Church
Despite this fortification Llantrisant witnessed a series
of bloodthirsty rebellions. The most notable was the rebellion
of Llewellyn Bren in 1316, which devastated the entire
lordship including Llantrisant in just nine weeks. The
castle, however, was active until at least a decade later
when it was used as an overnight prison for King Edward
II, captured in November 1326, and later subjected to a
horrifying execution at Berkeley Castle. Following a relatively
short account as a fighting castle it is rarely mentioned
from 1404. It's uncertain whether it was demolished at
the hands of Owen Glyndwr or possibly fell redundant during
a period of stability.
