Narberth, PembrokeshireNarberth, Pembrokeshire
Wales - the Rough Guide, 1997. - The 'capital' of the Landsker Borderlands ('frontier' between Cymric north Pembrokeshire and the anglicized south) is Narberth, a pleasing little town on the train line to Tenby; this supposed to be the court of Pwyll in the Mabinogion, a collection of pre-Norman Welsh folk tales and legends, and in reality, its ruined castle was the old home of the Welsh princes.
Ward Lock Red Guide, 1965. - Narberth is a market town with over 1,000 inhabitants. South of the town amidst grazing land are the fragments of a Castle, probably Edwardian. For a time Narberth Castle was held by Roger Mortimer, the favourite of Isabella, the consort of the unfortunate Edward II. Llawhaden is four miles distant, via Robeston Wathen, and its church is prettily situated by the side of the East Cleddau. A steep lane opposite the churchyard gates leads to Llawhaden Castle, a former residence of the Bishops of St. Davids and for many years an uncared-for ruin.
Pigot's Trade Directory, 1830. - Narberth is a small market-town, in the parish and hundred of its name, and county of Pembroke; 238 miles from London, 22 from Carmarthen, and 13 from Pembroke; situated on a branch of the Milford river, and is an ancient place, once noted for its castle, now decayed, and a modern seat erected on its site. There are productive mines of stone-coal and culm in the neighbourhood, but they are not worked to the extent which their importance would seem to demand. Upon the river, which is navigable to Blackpool, about three miles distant, is a very excellently constructed corn mill, recently erected. The town is governed by one of the high constables of the hundred, who is appointed annually, and must be a resident; assisted by constables elected at the manorial court leet, of which the representatives of the late Nathaniel Phillips, Esquire, are lords.
The places of worship are, one church, and three chapels for dissenters; the living of Narberth is a rectory, in the gift of the crown; the present incumbent is the Rev. Wm. Lloyd. The market is held on Thursday, and there are eight annual fairs for cattle. The parish contained, by the last returns, 2,295 inhabitants.
POST OFFICE, Edmund Blathwait, Post Master. - Letters from LONDON, &c. arrive every morning at four, and are despatched every night at nine, at which time letters for IRELAND are forwarded to MILFORD HAVEN, and arrive from thence every night at nine. - Letters from PEMBROKE and TENBY arrive by horse post every night at half-past eight, and are despatched every morning at four.
