Llangorse Lake

Last updated

Llangorse Lake
Llangorse Lake from the southwest.JPG
The lake viewed from the southwest
Powys UK relief location map.jpg
Red pog.svg
Llangorse Lake
Location Wales
Coordinates 51°55′51.46″N3°15′45.92″W / 51.9309611°N 3.2627556°W / 51.9309611; -3.2627556
Lake type eutrophic glacial natural
Basin  countriesUnited Kingdom
Surface area 139 hectares (340 acres)
Surface elevation154 m (505 ft)

Llangorse Lake, or Llangors Lake (Welsh : Llyn Syfaddon, variant: Llyn Syfaddan), is the largest natural lake in Mid and South Wales, and is situated in the Brecon Beacons National Park, [1] near the town of Brecon and the village of Llangors.

Contents

The lake is famous for its coarse fishing (particularly pike), watersports, the afanc (a monster nicknamed 'Gorsey') and has the only example of a crannog in Wales. Llangorse Lake is also one of the most mentioned sites in Welsh folklore. It is a site of international conservation importance.

Due to the lake's long history of human activity, it has been known by several different names during its history, both in the Welsh language and in English: other names include the lake's original Welsh name, Llyn Syfaddon/Syfaddan, and Brycheiniog Mere. The name Llangorse Lake is comparatively recent.

Geography

Llangorse Lake is a eutrophic glacial lake with a three-mile (5 km) perimeter covering an area of 139 hectares (340 acres). The lake is one mile (1.6 km) long, is 505 feet (154 m) above sea level and has a maximum depth of 7.75 m (25 ft 5 in). [2] [3] [4] It occupies a glacially scoured rock basin partly enhanced by morainic debris [5] within the drainage basin of the River Wye but close to that of the River Usk to the south. The Afon Llynfi provides the main input of water into the lake and continues as the lake overflow stream.

Natural history

The lake is a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and has long been regarded as a place where fish and birds are found in unusually high numbers. Gerald of Wales (Giraldus Cambrensis) mentioned the abundance of waterfowl in his topographical work, The Description of Wales in the 12th century. It is a Special Area of Conservation (under the EU Habitats Directive) as an example of a natural nutrient-rich lake with pondweeds.

The supposed largest pike caught by rod in the UK was caught in Llangorse Lake in 1846 by O. Owen and supposedly weighed 68 pounds (31 kg), but this is unsubstantiated. If true, it would have been the largest pike in the world. The largest pike in the UK was actually caught from Llandegfedd Reservoir near Pontypool and weighed 46 pounds (21 kg). [6] More recently the skull of a pike of unknown weight, though undoubtedly large (35–40+ lb), was found on the shores of the lake in 2004; it was taken away by the Environment Agency for age testing. [7]

The Llangasty Nature Reserve forms an important protected area around the lake's boundary. The lake is a habitat of the scarce blue-tailed damselfly (Ishnura pumilio). In May 2011 hundreds of water voles were released near Llangorse Lake in an ongoing programme to try to restore their numbers. [8]

History

Crannog

The crannog Llangorse crannog.JPG
The crannog

The crannog is a small artificial island about 40 metres (130 ft) from the north shore. It is constructed of massive planks of oak behind which was built a dwelling platform formed from layers of stone, soil and brushwood. [9] It was investigated by archaeologists from the National Museum of Wales between 1989 and 1993. Finds included a high quality textile and a bronze hinge from an 8th–9th century reliquary decorated in a style similar to that seen in Ireland. [10] The 1993 dig was joined by the TV series Time Team and featured in series one, episode four in 1994. [11] In 2005, works were carried out to protect the island from erosion. [10]

Dugout boat

In 1925, archaeologists discovered a virtually complete dugout boat. Radiocarbon dating indicates that it originated in the 9th century. [9]

Fort

In 916, Æthelflæd, Lady of the Mercians, sent an army into Brycheiniog to avenge the murder of the Mercian abbot Ecbryht and his companions. The Mercian army seized and burnt the royal fort on Llangorse Lake, and took the Queen of Brycheiniog and thirty-three others captive. [12]

Llangorse Lake in literature

As Lake Leucara, the lake (and surrounding area) features in the works of Raymond Williams, who wrote People of the Black Mountains detailing the lives of ordinary people in the area at intervals from 30,000 years ago through to mediaeval times. [13]

In his diary of the 1870s, Francis Kilvert noted several visits to Llangorse Lake, including a July 1878 outing in the company of his father, when the pair caught a brace of perch in an hour.

Gorsey, the Afanc of Llangorse Lake

The earliest known surviving literary reference to the afanc or lake monster of Llangorse is in a poem by the 15th century Welsh poet or bard, Lewys Glyn Cothi (English translation by John Rhys):

The afanc would have been well known in local folklore at the time of the composition of the poem.

Oll Lewis, an ecologist and cryptozoologist at the Centre for Fortean Zoology, has been studying the Afanc of Llangorse Lake for several years, and has proposed that it may represent sightings of the abnormally large pike of the lake. Adrian Lloyd Jones of the Welsh Beaver Project believes that afanc stories in Wales are folk memories of the presence of beavers. (The modern Welsh word for beaver is afanc).

The Lost City

In a version of the flood myth, a legend states that the lake was once the site of a city whose inhabitants suffered divine retribution for their wickedness by being completely submerged beneath the waters of the newly formed lake. The only survivor was a baby floating in a cradle who was found by the Welsh king's ambassador. The child was later adopted by the king. [14] [15]

Another deluge tale is attached to a legendary city beneath Kenfig Pool near Porthcawl. This catastrophe was said to be the result of a vengeful curse. [16] A third tradition with a similar motif explains the formation of Bala Lake (Llyn Tegid). [17]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Powys</span> County and preserved county in Wales

Powys is a county and preserved county in Wales. It borders Gwynedd, Denbighshire, and Wrexham to the north; the English ceremonial counties of Shropshire and Herefordshire to the east; Monmouthshire, Blaenau Gwent, Merthyr Tydfil, Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf, and Neath Port Talbot to the south; and Carmarthenshire and Ceredigion to the west. The largest settlement is Newtown, and the administrative centre is Llandrindod Wells.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brecknockshire</span> Historic county of Wales

Until 1974, Brecknockshire, also formerly known as the County of Brecknock, Breconshire, or the County of Brecon, was an administrative county in the south of Wales, later classed as one of the thirteen historic counties of Wales. Named after its county town of Brecon, the county was mountainous and primarily rural.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bala Lake</span> Lake in Gwynedd, Wales

Bala Lake is a large freshwater glacial lake in Gwynedd, Wales. The River Dee, which has its source on the slopes of Dduallt in the mountains of Snowdonia, feeds the 3.7 miles (6.0 km) long by 0.5 miles (0.8 km) wide lake. It was the largest natural body of water in Wales even before its level was raised by Thomas Telford to provide water for the Ellesmere Canal.

The Afanc is a lake monster from Welsh mythology. Its exact description varies, being described as resembling a crocodile, beaver or dwarf-like creature, or a platypus and is sometimes said to be a demon. The lake in which it dwells is also uncertain and it is variously said to live in Llyn Llion, Llyn Barfog, near Brynberian Bridge or in Llyn yr Afanc, a lake near Betws-y-coed that was named after the creature.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pen y Fan</span> Welsh mountain peak of the Brecon Beacons, Powys

Pen y Fan is the highest peak in South Wales, situated in Brecon Beacons National Park. At 886 metres (2,907 ft) above sea-level, it is also the highest British peak south of Cadair Idris in Snowdonia. It is the highest point of the historic county of Brecknockshire. The twin summits of Pen y Fan and Corn Du at 873 metres (2,864 ft) were formerly referred to as Cadair Arthur or 'Arthur's Seat'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">National parks of Wales</span> Area of landscape in Wales

The national parks of Wales are managed areas of outstanding landscape in Wales, United Kingdom where some forms of development are restricted to preserve the landscape and natural environment. Together, they cover 20% of the land surface of Wales and have a resident population of over 80,000 people. Each National Park Authority is a free-standing body within the local government framework.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Black Mountain (range)</span> Mountain range, west of Brecon Beacons, Wales

The Black Mountain is a mountain range in South, Mid and West Wales, straddling the county boundary between Carmarthenshire and Powys, and forming the westernmost range of the Brecon Beacons National Park. Its highest point is Fan Brycheiniog at 802 metres or 2,631 ft. The Black Mountain also forms a part of the Fforest Fawr Geopark.

Cathedine is a small hamlet that lies between the Brecon Beacons and the Black Mountains, in Powys, Wales. It is an approximately 2 miles from Llangorse and 2 miles from Bwlch, in the community of Llangors.

Llangors is a small village, community and electoral ward in southern Powys, in the historic county of Brecknockshire, within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Beacons Way</span> Long distance path in mid wales

The Beacons Way is a waymarked long distance footpath in the Brecon Beacons National Park, Wales. It is a linear route which runs for 99 miles (159 km) east to west through the National Park, and passes many of the most important landmarks and mountain peaks in the mountain range. It also includes a few of the towns in the park as well as popular attractions such as Carreg Cennen Castle near Llandeilo at the western end of the path.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llyn y Fan Fach</span> Lake in south Wales

Llyn y Fan Fach is a lake of approximately 10 hectares on the northern margin of the Black Mountain in Carmarthenshire, South Wales and lying within the Brecon Beacons National Park. The lake lies at an altitude of approximately 1,660 feet (510 m), immediately to the north of the ridge of the Carmarthen Fans. It is the smaller of two lakes within this mountain massif: the slightly larger Llyn y Fan Fawr is about 2 miles (3.2 km) to the east.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llyn y Fan Fawr</span> Lake in Powys, Wales

Llyn y Fan Fawr is a natural lake in the county of Powys, Wales. It lies at the foot of Fan Brycheiniog, the highest peak of the Black Mountain range within the Brecon Beacons National Park. Created as a result of glacial action, it is one of the largest glacial lakes in southern Wales.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fan Hir</span> Mountain (760m) in Powys, Wales

Fan Hir is a peak at the eastern end of the Black Mountain in the Brecon Beacons National Park in southern Wales. It is a subsidiary summit of Fan Brycheiniog. It falls within the county of Powys and is also a part of the traditional area of Fforest Fawr. Its Welsh name means "long peak", a fitting description, particularly if seen from the east when its steep eastern face is seen to advantage. It is about 2.5 miles or 4 km long and faces east. Its summit is 2490 feet above sea level. Fan Hir is separated from its higher neighbour to the north-west, Fan Brycheiniog by a col known as Bwlch Giedd, where a path rises from Llyn y Fan Fawr via a stone staircase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llyn Cwm Llwch</span> Small lake in Wales

Llyn Cwm Llwch is a small lake or pool in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Powys, Wales. It is between 1 and 2 acres: much smaller than the two glacial lakes in the west of the Black Mountain (range): Llyn y Fan Fawr and Llyn y Fan Fach, and one of the few natural bodies of water in the park. It is of glacial origin, occupying a rock hollow beneath the peaks of Pen y Fan and Corn Du in the central Brecon Beacons. It is drained by the Nant Cwm Llwch which empties into the Afon Tarell, which itself enters the River Usk at Brecon. Tommy Jones' obelisk, a memorial in granite to a young boy who died near this spot in 1900, overlooks the lake.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Allt yr Esgair</span> Hill (392.6m) in Powys, Wales, UK

Allt yr Esgair is a hill in the Brecon Beacons National Park in Powys, Wales. It is commonly referred to locally as simply 'The Allt'. The Welsh name signifies 'wooded slope of the ridge'. It takes the form of a northwest-southeast aligned ridge which rises to a height of 393m and which overlooks the valley of the River Usk to the west and south. To the northeast are panoramic views across Llangorse Lake to the Black Mountains There is a viewfinder on the summit erected as a monument to Eirene Lloyd White, Baroness White of Rhymney. It is a Marilyn with a prominence of 199 metres.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waun Lefrith</span> Hill (676.1m) in Carmarthenshire, Wales

Waun Lefrith is a top of Picws Du and is also the westernmost of the Carmarthen Fans, a group of peaks within the Black Mountain of the Brecon Beacons National Park. It lies within Carmarthenshire, Wales. The summit plateau of the mountain reaches a height of 2221 feet above sea level. Picws Du and Fan Foel are the other, higher summits of the Carmarthen Fans. The glacial lake of Llyn y Fan Fach dominates the panorama to the north of the peak. Beyond the lake to the north lies the Usk Reservoir and then the Cambrian Mountains on the horizon. Swansea Bay and the Bristol Channel are visible to the south across the undulating dip slope of the mountain. The Towy (Tywi) valley lies to the west, with Llandovery and Llandeilo as important market towns nearest to the hills.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picws Du</span> Mountain (749.1m) in Carmarthenshire, Wales

Picws Du is the second highest peak of the Carmarthen Fans in the Carmarthenshire section of the Black Mountain in the west of the Brecon Beacons National Park in south Wales. The highest peak is Fan Foel immediately next along the ridge and it is a subsidiary summit of Fan Brycheiniog. Picws Du falls within Fforest Fawr Geopark and its prominent summit is marked by a large Bronze Age round barrow at a height of 2457 feet above sea level. Waun Lefrith is the other, lower summit of the Carmarthen Fans situated to the west. The peak overlooks the glacial lake of Llyn y Fan Fach in the cwm below. As the peak sits on the edge of the escarpment on a ridge which juts out into the valley below, the views from the summit are panoramic and extensive. The views to the north are especially impressive when the weather is clear, looking towards the Cambrian Mountains, Mynydd Epynt and Brecon. Swansea and the Bristol Channel can just be seen on the horizon to the south, across the gently falling dip slope. Pen y Fan and Corn Du are distinctive landmarks seen directly to the east across Fforest Fawr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Afon Llynfi (Wye)</span> River in Powys, Wales

The Afon Llynfi is a short river in the county of Powys, south Wales. A tributary of the River Wye, it runs approximately south to north just to the west of the Black Mountains and partly within the Brecon Beacons National Park.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Llyn Bedydd</span> Lake near Wrexham, Wales

Llyn Bedydd is a small lake in Wrexham County Borough, in northeastern Wales, near the border with England. It is 7 kilometres south west of Whitchurch. The lake and the surrounding woodland are designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The Diocese of Glasbury was founded in The Bishops of Glasbury are listed in a 14th-century manuscript. A less reliable list of bishops was recorded by the chronicler-monk Geraldus Cambrensis. Situated approximately 15 km (9.3 mi) northeast of Llangors, it was the site of an early Christian church from at least the 950s, it may have become a suffragan diocese of St Davids. At least in its early years, the diocese appears to have enjoyed the support of the kings of Brycheiniog, and this enabled Glasbury's bishops to compete with their rivals at Ergyng, such as Euddogwy.

References

  1. ↑ "Geograph:: Llyn Llangors and the Brecon Beacons (C) Duncan Hawley" . Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  2. ↑ May, Linda; Spears, Bryan M.; Dudley, Bernard J.; Hatton-Ellis, Tristan W. (2010). "The importance of nitrogen limitation in the restoration of Llangorse Lake, Wales, UK". J. Environ. Monit. 12 (1): 338–346. doi:10.1039/b912827a. PMID   20082030.
  3. ↑ Llangorse lake in the Brecon Beacons national park Archived 2006-11-12 at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "Llangorse Lake Zones and Contours" (PDF). Lakeside Caravan Park.
  5. ↑ British Geological Survey 1:50,000 scale geological map sheet 214 Talgarth and accompanying sheet explanation
  6. ↑ Angler's Mail (15 May 2020). "Britain's biggest pike – full story of 53 lb-plus sensation". advnture.com. Retrieved 2 November 2022.
  7. ↑ "Cold Front Zero - Refrigeration Systems" . Retrieved 30 September 2016.
  8. ↑ "Hundreds of water voles released near Llangorse Lake". 7 May 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2016– via www.bbc.co.uk.
  9. 1 2 Keen, Richard and Burgum, Ian. Wales. Orion Publishing Company (1997) pg. 134.
  10. 1 2 "Rescuing Llangors Crannog". British Archaeology (84). September–October 2005. Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  11. ↑ "Prehistoric Britain - Crannogs". Channel 4 . Retrieved 8 August 2009.
  12. ↑ Charles-Edwards, T. M. (2013). Wales and the Britons 350–1064. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. p. 505. ISBN   978-0-19-821731-2.
  13. ↑ People of the Black Mountains 1: The beginning. London: Chatto & Windus. 1989. ISBN   9780701128456.
  14. ↑ Davies, Edward (1809), The Mythology and Rites of the British Druids, pp. 146–7.
  15. ↑ Trevelyan, Marie (1909), Folklore and Folk Stories of Wales, pp. 10–11.
  16. ↑ Trevelyan (1909), p. 11.
  17. ↑ Trevelyan (1909), p. 13.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.