The History of Radnorshire

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1859. Excerpt: ... shire, where was the capital and the principal seat of the Silurian government, was prevented only by being forced by the enemy to a battle at Caer Caradoc, and there totally defeated. The last piece of curious antiquity that remains to be noticed, is the remarkable dyke, constructed in the reign of Offa, the eleventh King of Mercia, by the united labours of Saxons and Welsh, and destined to perpetuate the discriminating boundary between their respective countries. It enters this parish from the hundred of Clun, in the county of Salop, and, skirting the west side of this town by a garden wall belonging to Richard Price, Esq., M.P., it passes along the ridge of Friedd Hill, leaving Jenkin Allis to the east; thence proceeds along Reeves' Hill in a straight line from north to south, into the parish of Norton. Many outrages, bloody frays, and cruel violences, were committed on each side of this boundary line by the two contending nations. It would be improper to conclude this article with omitting to notice a place in this parish, once venerated by antiquity, and continued till lately to be honoured and respected by the youth of the town of Knighton, of both sexes, but which modern refinement has doomed to neglect and oblivion. This place is called Craig Donna, situated about a mile from the town, in a wooded declivity, on the left side of the road leading to the borough of Cnwclas. It consists of a huge, stupendous rock, containing a very capacious chasm, and watered by a limpid and murmuring stream. Hither the young people of Knighton were wont, till of late years, to resort on Sunday evenings, to drink the water of this pellucid spring, sweetened with sugar, and to hold social and friendly converse with one another. This custom undoubtedly originated in th...