Brecknock

Brecknock, or BRECON, the capital of Brecknockshire, is situated in an open valley in the middle of the county, at the confluence of the Usk and Honddu, 183 miles W. by N. of London by rail, and 40 NE. of Swansea. It lies in the midst of fine mountain scenery, and has beautiful public walks, the triple-peaked Brecon Beacons (2910 feet) rising to the south. From 1536 to 1885 Brecon returned one member to parliament. Flannels, coarse woollens, and hats are manufactured. Pop. (1861) 5325; (1891) 5646. Bernard de Newmarch founded the town, and built a castle here in 1094. Henry VIII. in 1541 converted a Dominican friary into a college, which was rebuilt in 1864; the priory, now the parish church, was restored by Sir Gilbert Scott in 1862. The county-hall was built in 1843. Mrs Siddons, the actress, was a native.