LLANDDEWI BREFI.
This parish is celebrated for its legendary lore; and no wonder for it is a spot of great historic interest.
There is a tradition current in the neighbourhood to the effect that it was originally intended to build the Church of Llanddewi Brefi in a field on Godregarth farm, and that the work was actually commenced on that spot, but the attempt to build there was constantly frustrated, for that which was set up during the day was pulled down in the night by a Spirit, and all the material removed or carried to the spot where the Parish Church now stands. The field pointed out by tradition is about a mile away from the village, and yew trees are still to be seen there.
According to another most ancient tradition, when the Church was in process of construction, two oxen known as the “Ychain Bannog” were employed to draw the stone required for the building. The load was so heavy that one of the two oxen died in the attempt to drag it forward; but before falling down dead he bellowed nine times, and so powerful was the echo that the hill, which before presented itself as an obstacle, divided or split in two. The other ox alone was then able to bring the load unassisted to the site of the Church.
“Llanddewi Brefi fraith,
Lle brefodd yr ych naw gwaith,
Nos hollti craig y Foelallt.”
(Llanddewi Brefi the spotted,
Where the ox bellowed nine times,