Reynoldston, Gower

August 31, 2020

Reynoldston, Gower

Deep in the heart of the Gower peninsula, dividing the north and the south is the village of Reynoldston. Its name is thought have derived from Reginald de Breos, one of the earl Lords of Gower

Reginald de Breos
Coat of Arms

Reginald de Breos was the son of William de Breos, born 1182. During the reign of Richard I the de Breos were loyal, but it was under the reign of King John that they became more powerful. Reginald supported his brother Giles de Breos, in his rebellions against King John. At the time of the signing of the Magna Carta, both brothers were not present as they still fighting against rebels.

May 1216, King John accepted Reginald’s claim to the de Breos estates in Wales. Reginald was also made Lord of Brecon, Abergavenny, Builth and also holding other Marcher Lordships. Henry III gave the Bramber estates to Reginald after they were confiscated by John.

Reginald married Gwladus Ddu, granddaughter of King John.

There were further Welsh wars, when Reginald’s nephews Rhys and Owains, Princes of Deheubarth were incensed and took Builth expect the castle from Reginald, and this followed when Llywelyn Fawr, who became angry and his forces besieged Brecon. Eventually, Reginald surrendered and also gave up Seinhenydd (Swansea).

1221, with further wars having been fought, Llewelyn lay siege to Builth, this was relieved by King Henry IIIs forces. Llewelyn lend his support to Reginald’s nephew, John de Breos concerning the de Breos lands in Wales.

1225, Reginald had to witness to the re-issuing of the Magna Carta by King Henry III. Three years later, 1228 Reginald died.

Today, Reynoldston, on a clear day, along the coastline Lundy Island, Devon and Exmoor can been sighted. Over the north, the Brecon Beacons and Carmarthen in the West.

Above on Cefn Byn, Arthur Stone is located. Legend has it that King Arthur, who had been travelling in Carmarthenshire removed a stone from his shoe and threw across the Loughor Estuary and it finally rested on Cefn Bryn. This stone is 25 tons, capstone, measuring 4 metres by 2 metres and 2 metres depth is a Neolithic burial tomb. Dating back to 2500 BC.

The stone today is protected by the Ancient monuments Act, 1882.

The monument has been a famous attraction, since the time of Henry VII, when his troops, having landed at Milford Haven en route to Bosworth Field made detour to visit the stone. During the 16^th century, the stone, was one listed as one of the “three mighty achievements of the Isle of Britain”. The other two were Stonehenge and Silbury Hill.

2020, the present church of St. George’s, Reynoldston celebrates its 200^th anniversary. There has however been a church on this site since the 13^th century. the present church, having been built of Victorian Gothic architecture was built during the 1860s, replacing the old church of a simple stone structure.

Richard Erle Benson

10^th – 13^th September 1914, a month since the outbreak of the First World War, the Battle of the Aisne was fought. This battle was the end of the mobility and start of the trench warfare along the Western Front. Lieutenant Colonel Richard Erle Benson, served with the East Yorkshire Regiment, and saw action during the battle, died of wounds on the 29^th September 1914.

His body was brought back for burial at St George Church, Reynoldston. He was one of the last to be repatriated, during a time of war. Richard was the son of General H. R. Benson. At the time of the 1911 census, Richard was residing with his family at Glenarthur, Netley Street, Farnborough. His occupation is listed East Yorkshire Regt Major.