BRYNBERIAN (PEMBROKESHIRE).
Near Brynberian, in North Pembrokeshire, there is a grave known as “Bedd yr Afanc,” or the Avanc’s Grave. According to an old tradition in the neighbourhood, this Avanc was a most dangerous beast or monster, which at last, after much trouble, was caught in a pool in the river, and buried with pomp and religious rites on a spot which still bears the name “Bedd yr Afanc.”
LLANON (CARDIGANSHIRE).
Non was the mother of St. David. The Vicar, Mr. Lewis, informed me that there is a tradition in the neighbourhood that the Patron Saint was born here, and owned much land here, including all the flats known as Morfa Esgob—The Bishop’s March. It is said that St. David divided the land into small portions which he gave to the fishermen of the place. There was a stone on the exterior wall of the ruins of St. Non’s Chapel, on which was carved the face of a woman with a child in her arms, traditionally reputed to be that of Non and her child David. There is also a tradition that the Saint was educated at Henfynyw. See more about this in Mr. Eyre Evans’ interesting book on the Antiquities of Cardiganshire.
Some three miles from Llanon, says Mr. Horsfall-Turner in his “Wanderings in Cardiganshire,” legends have been busy with a huge stone pillar which marks, perhaps the grave of some long-forgotten hero. “During the building of Devil’s Bridge, we are told, his Satanic majesty wished to employ this monolith and carried it away, his finger marks may still be seen—leaving another impression. He sat so long and thought so deeply, that at the crowing of the cock, he was startled and vanished so rapidly that the stone was so completely forgotten.”
TYNYCASTELL (DEVIL’S BRIDGE).
According to the Rev. John Griffith, Llangynwyd, there is a version of the well-known legend of Arthur or Owen Lawgoch and the Sleeping Warriors attached to this place; but as I have already given a version of this story in connection with Owen Lawgoch’s Cave, near Llandebie, I shall not repeat it here. King Arthur figures rather prominently in North Cardiganshire. Between Devil’s Bridge and Llanafan is a farm belonging to the Earl of Lisburne called “Maen Arthur”—Arthur’s Stone; and in the parish of Llanbadarn-fawr there is a “Llys Arthur”—Arthur’s Court, a legendary residence of the renowned King.