Kidwelly, CarmarthenshireKidwelly, Carmarthenshire
Ward Lock Red Guide, 1965 - The borough of Kidwelly lies due south of Carmarthen, from which it is 9 miles by road and 12 by rail. It is at the confluence and combined mouth of the Gwendraeth Fawr and Gwendraeth Fach, whence it derives its name in Welsh of Cydweli. The borough is one of the oldest in the Principality having received its first charter under Henry I. The town is chiefly noteworthy for a noble old Castle, the remains of which have been carefully strengthened so that the relic is the best preserved of the nine castles in Carmarthenshire. It was originally founded during the reign of Henry I, the earth-work defence being of this period. Later additions were made in the time of Edward II.
The church, dedicated to St.Mary the Virgin during the Norman period, belonged to a former Benedictine Priory founded by Roger, Bishop of Salisbury (1107-39) as a cell of Sherborne Abbey. It is one of the few monastic churches which were preserved at the suppression of the monasteries, and permitted to remain as the church of the parish. It is a large building of Decorative style, its distinctive features being the large span of the nave, a spacious chancel, short transepts forming together a simple and uniform cross.
Pigot's Trade Directory, 1830 - Kidwelly is an ancient borough and hundred town, in the parish of St. Mary and county of Carmarthen; 225 miles from London, 23 from Swansea, and nine from Carmarthen; situated on the river Gwindraeth, about half a mile from its junction with the sea in Carmarthen-bay, and about four miles from the port of PEMBRAY, where are extensive coal and iron works of the Pembray Coal Company. The coal from these works is said to be the best for smiths' purposes in the kingdom, and particularly adapted for making iron; great quantities are exported annually to Ireland, Devonshire, Cornwall, &c. The quay is convenient and the harbour safe, and vessels of 400 tons burthen can come close up to the wharf. Copper and lead ores are found in the neighbourhood, and in the vicinity of the town are tin-works. Kidwelly is governed by a mayor, 11 other aldermen, 12 principal burgesses, and a town clerk. Quarter sessions are held here for the trial of misdemeanors; a court, wherein debts may be sued for under £200, once a fortnight; & a steward's court, for recovery of debts under 40s., every three weeks.
The places of worship are, the parish church of St. Mary (a vicarage, in the gift of the King), and a chapel each for presbyterian, Wesleyan methodist, and baptist congregations. The market, which is entitled to be holden on Friday, is scarcely observed; there is one annual fair, which takes place on 29th October. The parish contained, by the last returns, 1,733 inhabitants.
