In 1870-72, John Marius Wilson's Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales described Dynevor like this:
DYNEVOR-CASTLE, or Newton, the seat of Lord Dynevor, in Carmarthen; on the river Towy, adjacent to Llandeilofawr. The name Dynevor is a corruption of Dinas-fawr, signifying " the great castle. " The present mansion is modern; but contains two ancient ornate chairs, said to have belonged to Sir Rhys ap Thomas. ...
The grounds are very beautiful, both by nature and by art; and command some noble views. The ancient castle stands on a rocky headland at the river; and is much hid from view by overgrowth of ivy. The original structure was circular, with double moat and rampart; and rose from the ruins or dilapidations of more than one previous pile. The chief existing -ancient features of it are a square tower, a round tower, and some battlemented walls. The first founder was Roderick Mawr; other occupants were Rhys ap Twdwr, Rhys ap Gruffydd, and subsequent South Wales princes; and the occupant in Henry VII. 's time, receiving it in grant from that king, was Sir Rhys ap Thomas. Spenser, in his Fairie Queene, places the domicile of Merlin within the domain; and says, -
If thou ever happen that same way
To travel, go and see that dreadful place:
It is a hideous, hollow, cave-like bay,
Under a rock that has a little space.
From the swift Tyvi, tumbling down apace
Amongst the woody hills of Dinevour;
But dare not thou, I charge, in any case
To enter into that same baleful bower,
For fear the cruel fiends should thee unware devour.
Additional information about this locality is available for Llandyfeisant
Dynevor through time
Dynevor is now part of Carmarthenshire district. Click here for graphs and data of how Carmarthenshire has changed over two centuries. For statistics about Dynevor itself, go to Units and Statistics.
GB Historical GIS / University of Portsmouth, History of Dynevor in Carmarthenshire | Map and description, A Vision of Britain through Time.
URL: https://www.visionofbritain.org.uk/place/26802
Date accessed: 20th April 2024
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