BRECON, MEDIEVAL AND LATER BOROUGH
Site Details
- NPRN
- 32994
- Map Reference
- SO02NW
- Grid Reference
- SO04472859
- Unitary (Local) Authority
- Powys
- Old County
- Brecknockshire
- Community
- Brecon
- Type of Site
- TOWN
- Broad Class
- Civil
- Period
- General
Site Description
Brecon is an historic market town in southern Powys, mid Wales and was the county town of the historic county of Brecknockshire. The Welsh name of Brecon, ‘Aberhonddu’ means the mouth of the Honddu, which is derived from the river Honddu, which meets the river Usk near the town centre. In Roman Britain, Brecon was established as a Roman cavalry base for the conquest of Wales. Later, the confluence of the Honddu and the Usk made for a valuable defensive position for the Norman castle which overlooks the town, built by Bernard de Neufmarche in the late 11th Century. Brecon cathedral stands less than a mile from the castle, and the cathedral is relatively young due to it being bestowed upon the church in 1923.
Today Brecon is a thriving community, and is popular as a holiday destination, it being on the northern edge of the Brecon Beacons National Park. The Brecon Jazz festival is held in the town centre annually, with several open air venues and indoor concerts held in several venues, including the town’s market hall and the 400 seat Theatre.
M. Lloyd Davies RCAHMW, 07 January 2009.
