Introduction:
I recently found an article on the “Fairies of Neath Vale” whilst searching the British Newspaper Archive. The article was in the The Cambrian newspaper on the 21st August 1891 under the heading The Fairies of Neath Vale, with a sub heading of Roman and Druidic Remains on the Mountain. I have copied the newspaper article at the end of this story.
The article was supplied by Mr. D. Rhys Philips (the author of the book “The History of the Vale of Neath” fame) to the hon. Secretaries of the Swansea Scientific Society who published it in the Cambrian newspaperas a sequel to their report of their recent excursion to Aberpergwm in August 1891.
The Swansea Scientific Society made three visits to Aberpergwm in total over the years, as part of their annual organised excursions to historical places.
This article covers the memories of Maria Jane Williams of Aberpergwm and Ynys Las house (c.1795 – 10 November 1873), regarding the fairies above Aberpergwm house. D. Rhys Philips then goes on to explain a little about the Roman road (Sarn Helen) on Hir Fynydd.
I have transcribed the article in the form as shown in the newspaper to make it easier to read, and to enable me to add notes.
The Newspaper Article:
Cwm Pergwm has been the home of the fairies from time immemorial, and though the “little people” may be no longer seen in that romantic dell, the following quotation from a letter written by that delightful gleaner of fairy legend and song, Miss Jane Williams, of Aberpergwm, to Mr. Croften Croker, the author of the “Fairy Legends of the South of Ireland,” may be a peculiar interest for the members of the Swansea Scientific Society, who visited the spot on Saturday week.
Miss Williams say’s, “ The subject of Welsh fairies is one which interests me much; but the opportunities of conversing with story-tellers are few, the race being now almost extinct in Wales. The increase of wealth, the intercourse with enlightened Saxons, the improvement of roads, and the progress of education, have nearly banished the “fair family.”
“However, I have the good fortune to inhabit a romantic valley in Glamorganshire, and am acquainted with some of the secluded mountaineers who speak no language but their own, and who inherit the superstition of their ancestors. They see the fairies – they hear the enchanting music, and sometimes join in their merry dances. They are also familiar with ghosts and strange noises, behold supernatural lights, and always foretell death by certain signs. I am very sorry to add, too, that my country folk have frequent communication with “the old gentleman,” (Ed note: the Devil) who visits them in all possible shapes and places. A favourite spot is near a Roman road on one of the hills behind this house, where it is supposed treasure is hidden.”
In another letter the fair writer say’s:~ “Mama remembers a meeting of twenty preachers assembled on a hill not far from this, to combat the Wicked One, (Ed note: the Devil) who had enticed so many to sinful practices, by tempting them with bars of gold, which were dug up near a Roma causeway, called War Helen.
“A farmer, a tenant of ours, who became suddenly rich, was commonly supposed to have sold himself to the evil one.”
The fairies were variously known by the names Y tylwyth teg, the fair family; “Bendith eu mamau,” the blessing of the mothers; “Y goblin Bach,” the little goblin; “Y dynion mwyu,” the kind people; “Y teulu,” the family; “Gwragedd Anwyl,” dear wives;
“Yr Elod,” intelligence; “Eilyllon,” elves; and “Gwrach y Rhibyn,” the hobgoblin.
Among those who, eighty or ninety years ago testified to having seen fairies in the neighbourhood of Aberpergwm, were old Shon Thomas Shon Rhydderch, alias John Jones, alias “Cobbler Jig”; Morgan Gwilym; Dafydd Shon; Dafydd Tomos Bowen; and Morgan Rhys Harries.
The pretty little waterfall called “Yscod y Rhys,” which some of the company visited on Saturday week, is known in local folk – lore as the bathing – place of the fairies, whilst not far distant is a cave which tradition attributes to the “industry” of the “fair people.” *
To descend to a more prosaic subject, it may be mentioned that the Roman road, called “Sarn Helen,” which traverses Cefn Hir Fynydd, has in many places the appearance of an old British trackway, but where it crosses bogs or brooks, its characteristics are unmistakably Roman. Behind Pentreclwdau, the Sarn crosses several streams, where its foundations consist of massive, unhewn, mountain boulders, which despite the floods of centuries, still remain in the position in which they were placed by the Roman legions. In the bend of the mountain behind Rheola, there is a druidic circle consisting of about fourteen upright stones, varying from five to seven feet apart, with a Logan stone in the middle.
With regard to the name “Sarn Helen” (not Sarn y Lleng” as Mr. S. C. Gamwell suggested) Mr. Egerton Phillimore says :~ “The Elen (not Helen) who in Welsh history was connected with Carnarvon and with the road called “Sarn Helen (in parts also Sarn Halen), was the wife of the legendary Maxen Wledig, concocted out of the historical Emperor Maximus; her name had apparently been converted into Helen through confusing her with Helena, the mother of the Emperor Constantine. (Cymmrodor vol. xi., p.60)
It should have been mentioned that the width of the Roman road where it fords the streams here about is 12 feet.
A peculiar feature in the landscape in the Rheola valley is an assemblage of fern on the mountain brow, which has for many years assumed the form of a P, but is now gradually developing into the shape of an R.
D. Rhys Philips, Resolven.
* In the inns of Rhigos and the upper part of the Vale of Neath, a song, extolling the virtues of the fairies, is still often sung.
References and Resources:
The Cambrian newspaper 21st August 1891.
Letters from Maria Jane Williams, National Library of Wales.
