Pererindod Melangell waymarker in Cwm Pennant

Image: © Jeremy Bolwell Taken: 30 Aug 2012

The waymarked path crosses farmland at Vicarage Farm here. The linear walk is based on the legend of Melangell, a saintly virgin who made her home in this area. It derives from two 17th century transcripts of a lost medieval manuscript of a Life of the Saints. Briefly the legend goes that one day a Welsh prince named Brochwel was hunting and his hounds raised a hare that took refuge in a thicket. On pursuit the prince found a virgin praying in the thicket with the hare hiding under the folds of her garments. The hounds were urged on but fled and the huntsman raised his horn to his lips and was unable to remove it. The virgin informed the prince that she dwelt at this place and that she had fled here for refuge. So impressed was the prince by Melangell's godliness that he granted the valley to her and here she founded a religious community. There is no doubt that this valley has a special atmosphere - though whether that is just due to its isolation and tranquility or its history I cannot say.

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