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Folklore Section
Well Known Legends
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Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource)Well Known Local LegendsThe Golden MileOn the A48 highway from Bridgend to Cardiff there used to be a very straight section of the highway known locally as 'The Golden Mile'. Sadly in recent years a new roundabout has been placed on this stretch of road leading to a proposed development; historians maintain that the original Golden Mile was a mile or so east near the village of Pentre Meyrick - this name is shown on very old maps.
The StoryThe Prince of Glamorgan Iestyn ap Gwrgant was always at war with his
neighbour Rhys ap Tewdwr; one day being hard pressed, Iestyn sent a plea for help
to the Norman Baron Fitzhamon. The messenger he sent was a trusted follower,
Einon ap Collwyn.
If Einon was successful he was to have Iestyn's daughter in marriage. Fitzhamon listened carefully to Einon and promised
aid on condition that he recieved a 'mile of gold'.
Iestyn and Fitzhamon combined forces and defeated Rhys ap Tewdwr who was chased and slain near Hirwaun. To recieve their reward
the Norman soldiers lined up in one long rank along a path which became known as 'Y Milltyr Aur' - The Golden Mile.
Tradition has it that the coins were placed side by side in front of the men.
Broken PromiseIestyn did not keep his promise to Einon so Einon went away and persuaded Fitzhamon to come back and join forces with him against
their former ally. The Norman joined forces with Einon and it was Iestyn's turn to be defeated and killed.
This story has given rise to a further legend for in the eyes of most Welshmen, Einon was now the traitor who for his
own ends had laid his country open to attack and conquest by the Normans.
Second LegendA drover was once driving his cattle through the Vale of Glamorgan en route for the meat market of London. Feeling tired he rested
in a shady nook and was surprised to see a fox creeping towards him.
The fox had an old grey appearance and had a worried look on its face.
The starled drover then heard the fox speaking.
It explained that it was burdened with sorrow and distress. Overcoming his fear the drover laughed, at which
the fox became very angry, explaining that he was really Einon ap Collwyn who had betrayed the Welsh to the Normans.
As a punishment for his sins he was doomed to spend the rest of eternity as a fox.
Welsh MythologyIn Welsh county districts the fox was regarded as the devil's spy. To see several foxes together was unlucky and to see
a dark or black fox meant death for the beholder. The sight of a grey or white fox indicated a mortality within one own's family.
The drover as we are told avoided that particular route on future occasions.
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Kenfig - The Complete History (e-Resource) || An important part of Wales' documentary heritage, identified by the National Library of Wales || www.kenfig.org.uk |
Associated Website Links || Further Reading
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Acknowledgements ||Bibliography(1) Bridgend County Borough Council Library & Information Services
(2) Bridgend County Borough Council
(3) Kenfig History Society
(4) Porthcawl Museum & Historical Society
Webpage Author(1) Mr Rob Bowen - Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2010.
3rd Party Copyright:The Golden Mile;Information & illustration - (Legends of Porthcawl and the Glamorgan Coast - Alun Morgan)
and part re-published online strictly for educational purposes only - 3rd party copyright © Alun Morgan 1974
(Legends of Porthcawl and the Glamorgan Coast) - (Second Edition (First lithographic reprint 1978, Third Impression 1983 - ISBN 0950447501)
Information edited & sub-edited for online purposes || Rob Bowen - Kenfig.org Local Community Group, 2010
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Further Information:
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