Llanfyllin, United Kingdom

History

The town lies between Shrewsbury and Bala, for a long time the key market towns in this area of Wales and the Welsh borders. At nearby Bodyddon there is evidence of an early British settlement. Llanfyllin may be the "Mediolanum among the Ordovices" described in Ptolemy's Geography (c. AD 150), although others argue for Meifod or Caersws.

The town is known for St Myllin's Well, a holy well. The well is dedicated to Saint Myllin, who is reputed to have baptised people here in the sixth century. The parish church is also dedicated to Saint Myllin. There is a tradition that Saint Myllin is the Irish bishop, Saint Mo Ling (also named Moling Luachra) (614–697). However, this is uncertain. There is no record of Mo Ling travelling to Wales, and there is a tradition that Myllin is buried under the altar of Llanfyllin church whereas Mo Ling is believed to have been buried at his monastery in Ireland.

The medieval motte-and-bailey castle of Tomen yr Allt was probably destroyed by Llywelyn ap Gruffudd in 1257. The castle earthworks are still present.

Llanfyllin was granted a charter as a market town in 1293 under Edward I. The charter was confirmed by Edward de Charlton, Lord of Powys under Henry V. Llanfyllin Town Hall, which dated from 1789, and served as the meeting place of the borough council, was demolished in 1960.

From the History section of Llanfyllin on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.