Ysbyty Cynfyn ancient history and tragedy

Nestled amidst the rolling hills of Ceredigion, Wales, lies the village of Ysbyty Cynfyn. Steeped in history, this quaint haven offers a glimpse into Wales’s past, from ancient standing stones whispering tales of forgotten rituals to a poignant reminder of a family’s heartbreak.

For centuries the land had been worked by hardworking sheep farmers and in the 19th century by lead miners..

The current church replaced an older church in the 19th century. The older church it is said was open once a year for traditional sports like wrestling, but the Methodist revival in the 1940’s soon put a stop to that type of activity.

Dedicated to St John it was, in medieval times, in possession of the Knights Hospitallers of St John a group dedicated to provide food and shelter for pilgrims travelling to Christian shrines, hence the name Ysbyty from the Latin Hospitium. It is on the route through Strata Florida to St David’s and it is said three pilgrimages to St David was equal to one to Jerusalem.

Ancient history

The church stands upon an ancient Bronze Age site with three standing stones the largest of which stands three meters high, incorporated into the wall of the cemetery.

Not far away is a Bronze Age burial mound although mostly worn away apart from the circle of standing stones that children were told at one time that ‘Tylwyth Teg’ danced in the circle.

Joy turns to tragedy

Ysbyty Cynfyn was witness to a remarkable event on the 17th of February 1856 with the first recorded birth of Quadruplets which, no doubt brought great joy to the villagers, sadly the joy was short lived because within days they all died from typhoid fever.

Inside the churchyard you can find the headstone of Margaret, Elizabeth, Catherine and Issac.

Sadly they all died between the 21st and 28th February 1856. They were followed by their father Issac who died on the 6th March and their three year old sister who died on the 10th of March, only to be followed by their brother Hugh.

You cannot imagine the heartbreak their mother must have gone through losing her entire family within a month.

A tragic story, one of many around Wales and almost lost in the mists of time.

So spare a thought for them as you pass this unassuming church nestled in a quite valley in the Cambrian mountains. Or why not stop and have a walk around the churchyard and look for the little gravestone itself and touch the standing stones, you can’t miss them and just wonder at what they have been witness to over the past two or three thousand years. Think about the people who placed them there and ask yourself “why did they do it?”

Sean Westlake is a driver guide based in Aberystwyth, if you want to visit Wales and it’s hidden places please give him a call on +44 7946640709