{83} So Called From A Parish Of That Name In Glamorganshire,
Situated Between Monk Nash And St. Donat's, Upon The Bristol
Channel.
{84} Barri Island is situated on the coast of Glamorganshire; and,
according to Cressy, took its name from St. Baruc, the hermit, who
resided, and was buried there.
The Barrys in Ireland, as well as
the family of Giraldus, who were lords of it, are said to have
derived their names from this island. Leland, in speaking of this
island, says, "The passage into Barrey isle at ful se is a flite
shot over, as much as the Tamise is above the bridge. At low water,
there is a broken causey to go over, or els over the shalow
streamelet of Barrey-brook on the sands. The isle is about a mile
in cumpace, and hath very good corne, grasse, and sum wood; the
ferme of it worth a 10 pounds a yere. There ys no dwelling in the
isle, but there is in the middle of it a fair little chapel of St.
Barrok, where much pilgrimage was usid." [The "fair little chapel"
has disappeared, and "Barry Island" is now, since the construction
of the great dock, connected with the mainland, it is covered with
houses, and its estimated capital value is now 250,000 pounds].
{85} William de Salso Marisco.
{86} The see of Llandaff is said to have been founded by the
British king Lucius as early as the year 180.
{87} From Llandaff, our crusaders proceeded towards the Cistercian
monastery of Margam, passing on their journey near the little cell
of Benedictines at Ewenith, or Ewenny. This religious house was
founded by Maurice de Londres towards the middle of the twelfth
century. It is situated in a marshy plain near the banks of the
little river Ewenny.
{88} The Cistercian monastery of Margam, justly celebrated for the
extensive charities which its members exercised, was founded A.D.
1147, by Robert earl of Gloucester, who died in the same year. Of
this once-famed sanctuary nothing now remains but the shell of its
chapter-house, which, by neglect, has lost its most ornamental
parts. When Mr. Wyndham made the tour of Wales in the year 1777,
this elegant building was entire, and was accurately drawn and
engraved by his orders.
{89} In continuing their journey from Neath to Swansea, our
travellers directed their course by the sea-coast to the river Avon,
which they forded, and, continuing their road along the sands, were
probably ferried over the river Neath, at a place now known by the
name of Breton Ferry, leaving the monastery of Neath at some
distance to the right: from thence traversing another tract of
sands, and crossing the river Tawe, they arrived at the castle of
Swansea, where they passed the night.
{90} The monastery of Neath was situated on the banks of a river
bearing the same name, about a mile to the westward of the town and
castle. It was founded in 1112, by Richard de Grainville, or
Greenefeld, and Constance, his wife, for the safety of the souls of
Robert, earl of Gloucester, Maude, his wife, and William, his son.
Richard de Grainville was one of the twelve Norman knights who
accompanied Robert Fitz-Hamon, and assisted him in the conquest of
Glamorganshire.
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